WEST MILFORD — The Northeast has had a little taste of the hot, hazy and humid days of summer, but it won’t be long before the forecast will be H,H and H for days and days and days. Everyone will be waiting for there to be a change in the weather. Just like everyone wants a break from the cold during the winter and many people plan a vacation to a warm locale during the Christmas season.
The West Milford Animal Shelter will be celebrating hot and cold weather and the spirit of Christmas with its annual “Christmas in July” adoption event.
Christmas in July celebrations are believed to have started when a group of Irish tourists went on a vacation in Sydney, Australia’s Blue Mountains during the summer of 1980. They wanted to escape the summer heat and were thrilled by the sight of snow. They convinced the owner of the hotel to hold a party called “Yulefest.” The party was a big hit and the hotel owner then held a party every July. The tradition caught on and there are now Christmas in July festivals and craft fare events worldwide.
The shelter has been decorated with Christmas and summer time items and is very festive and cheerful to help shine a light on the many homeless cats, kittens and dogs in need of homes and families.
Every kitten, cat or dog who is adopted in the month of July will go home with a sand pail filled a “beach” blanket, food, treats and toys. Every adopter will have a chance to win one of four $100 gift certificates from JRC Jewelers in West Milford.
People, who have adopted a new pet in previous years loved the concept because it was easier for them to bring a new pet into their lives in a summer month rather than during the busy holiday season.
Come join the celebration and make two lives better, yours and the homeless animal that will no longer be homeless. And next year you can celebrate “Christmas in July” at home with the four-legged love of your life and start a new family tradition.
For information, call 973-728-2859 or westmilfordanimalshelter.org with a link to the shelter’s two facebook pages.
The shelter is located on Lycosky Drive (behind recycling).