BRISTOL -- It's been a good week for the Human Society of Elkhart County, and officials are hoping the momentum will continue through the holidays.
On Tuesday, msnbc.com reported that the Humane Society had been overwhelmed by abandoned animals. On Wednesday, the story appeared in The Elkhart Truth. By the end of the day, msnbc.com reported that donors from around the country had stepped up, contributing around $12,000 and arranging a dozen new adoptions.
"This kind of outpouring is just an incredible thing for us in helping to do this job," said Anne Reel, executive director for the Humane Society.
In addition to donations and adoptions, trained volunteers have also been giving their time cleaning cages, doing laundry and socializing with animals.
From noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 6, the Humane Society will host a holiday open house for people and their pets. Well-behaved pets can have their pictures taken with Santa, and people will have a chance to visit with the animals.
Reel said the holidays can be a mixed blessing for the Humane Society. Many people are tempted to adopt pets during the holidays, but they need to be fully aware of the responsibility that they're taking on. Others are having to make difficult decisions about whether or not they can afford pets because of the economy.
For more information on how to provide monetary or material donations visit www.elkharthumanesociety.org.