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Honor Your Pet, Help A Stray

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Lois Kindle

Tampa Tribune

Published: November 21, 2008

Updated: 11/21/2008 11:25 am

The Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort (CARE) no-kill shelter for homeless dogs and cats is having its seventh annual Tree of Lights for the Animals fundraiser now through Christmas.

The annual event provides area residents with an opportunity to honor their past or present pets by making a tax-deductible donation to the shelter.

For a contribution of $5 to $9 per pet, CARE will place a lighted bulb on one of the shelter trees; for $10 or more per pet, it will hang a personalized, wooden dog or cat ornament.

The trees will be lit from Thanksgiving through the holidays. All donations go directly to support the 50 to 60 pets lodged at the shelter.

"Last year, we raised $3,000," said Don Hinderliter, past president and current volunteer. "We hope to exceed that amount this year.

Throughout the holiday season, visitors are encouraged to stop in to view the trees and visit some of the pets up for adoption, even if only to say, "Merry Christmas."

Tree of Light donation forms may be picked up at the shelter, 1528 27th Street S.E. in Ruskin.

The non-profit, all-volunteer shelter takes in and cares for abused or abandoned animals until they find a permanent home. The shelter also provides reduced-cost spay and neuter services and survives solely on the generosity of donors and grants.

For more information or directions to the shelter, call (813) 645-2273.

Lois Kindle can be reached at lkindle@tampatrib.com or (813) 865-1553.

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