Santa Paws provides toys, treats, and food to pets of families in need throughout the Hampton Roads area on Christmas day. For the remainder of the year, a Pet Food Bank is available for families that may need a little help.
DEAR SANTA PAWS
Write a note to Santa Paws for your pet asking for specialgoodies for christmas. Be sure to leave pets name(s) and the address at which they live.
HISTORY
From Christmas of 2002, until present, Santa Paws has been visiting families throughout Hampton Roads. No one should be denied the love and companionship of a family pet even though struggling to make ends meet. This is the time in a person’s life when unconditional love is an extremely valuable commodity.
FOOD BANK
Santa Paws also operates a Food Bank for pets. In these hard economic times it sometimes becomes a struggle to provide for oneself and their pet. To prevent the pet from suffering, nutritious food can be provided for urgent circumstances. If pet food cannot be purchased until payday, then a call to Santa Paws can provide the food needed until the pet owner can get back on their feet.
DONATIONS
Donations are greatly needed and are the core to keeping the Santa Paws visits going. Please keep treat boxes small and food bags below ten pounds. We deliver to a large number of disabled and elderly clients that are unable to handle the large bags of food.
Toys, treats, and high quality food may be dropped off at a number of locations throughout Hampton Roads. Click on the DONATIONS icon to the left for a complete list of drop-off sites. Cash donations may also be dropped off at these sites or mailed to Santa Paws, Post Office Box 883 , Smithfield , VA 23431. Please make all checks payable to “Santa Paws”.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are always needed to help with the Santa Paws tradition.
Elves are needed to pick up and transport donations as well as helping to assemble the gift bags to be delivered on Christmas Day. The elves meet on Christmas Eve and have a grand gift assembly party. It’s a good time to share kinship with other animal lovers and enjoy the cider, coco, cookies, and Christmas music.
Santa’s Helpers not only enjoy the Christmas Eve festivities but assist Santa Paws in his Christmas Day deliveries.
COVERAGE AREA
Back in 2002 it all started in Isle of Wight County with about five deliveries. In 2008 there were over 360 packages delivered to 240 homes and the coverage stretched from Southampton County , down to Suffolk , over to Virginia Beach , across the water to Hampton , and up the Peninsula to Williamsburg .
NOMINATIONS
Nominations of families in need may be made at any time during the year. Anyone can make a nomination by contacting Santa Paws at (757) 356-9119, email at santapaws1@aol.com, or click on the Nominations icon to the left.
The name of the nominated family is not required but some information is mandatory. Please provide the address for delivery; the type and number of each pet; the size of the pet, if applicable; and any other information such as diet restrictions, age, etc. We would not want to give a rawhide bone to a dog with bad, or no, teeth.
NEWS
Keep up-to-date with what is going on in the Santa Paws Program. Included are announcements, major donations, and whats making the media.
SPONSORS
Business's, organizations, and individuals that provide multiple services for the Santa Paws Program are recognized as sponsors. They volunteer their time, donate food/treats, serve as drop-off sites, and make cash donations. Please visit our sponsor page and e-travel to our sponsors sites.
