Even the Elizabethton/Carter County Animal Shelter is getting into the holiday spirit, getting ready to host Santa this Saturday for their next adoption event.

Director Shannon Posada said Santa will be there to take pictures with new adoptees during the event, which will run from 12 to 2 p.m.

“There are so many animals that need to go through the shelter,” Posada said. “This will allow our animals to find a loving home.”

She said the holiday season tends to feature many people selling puppies and other newborn animals “on every street corner” during this time, which she said takes the attention away from the shelter.

“There are so many animals,” she said. “We feel like the shelter animals get overlooked. Many of them are already trained.”

Though she said the animals are the highlight of the event, she said watching the new adoptees interact with the animals is her favorite part of these adoption events.

“Everyone leaves here with happy smiles,” Posada said. “Some of them will run and jump into the car. This makes the job worthwhile. They are going to be loved on.”

She said unlike some other places that irregularly sell animals during the holidays, the shelter makes sure the pets are healthy and that the family is ready to receive them into their homes.

“We have some wonderful people who come through,” she said. “They visit with each animal.”

She said for families who are ready for it, a new pet can be a wonderful holiday gift.

“There is no better way to warm your home than a new family member,” she said.

The shelter does make sure adoptees are financially and socially ready to adopt their selected animal before everything is finalized. This way, the animals can truly find their “forever home.”

During the event, adoption costs will be $10 for most animals.

“We have had several sponsors for some of them,” Posada said.

These sponsored animals will have no charge attached to their adoption.

The shelter is located at 135 Sycamore Shoals Drive in Elizabethton.