Cape Coral’s four-legged friends without a home for the holidays will not be forgotten this year.

In the afternoon on Christmas Day, Cape Coral Animal Shelter employees and volunteers will play Santa to nearly 30 cats and dogs to make their day a bit more special.

Thanks to a “pay it forward” donation from Lee County Domestic Animal Services, along with generous residents, shelter pets will feel the love and warmth of the holidays.

“Volunteers and staff grow very fond of the animals while they are in our care and it gives us great joy to see them enjoying treats and toys on Christmas Day,” said CCAS Executive Director Liz McCauley. “Even on a holiday it’s important to us that they are shown love.”

The meaning behind the day also hits home for McCauley.

“I am adopted — born in December and adopted in January by a wonderful family. I spent my first Christmas in an orphanage. When I became involved with animal rescue, it reminded me of my first Christmas, so making Christmas Day special for these abandoned animals has become very personal and very important to me,” she said. “I like to think that the people taking care of me did something a little extra special for Christmas so I think it’s only right that we do that for our residents here.”

McCauley said they will bring each dog to their tree at CCAS to be presented their gifts. Cats will have theirs brought to them. Donations have included toys, treats, bedding and other pet-friendly items. They will even be served a special Christmas day dinner.

“It’s really going to be a really special Christmas,” McCauley said.

Those interested in donating toys or treats to the cats and dogs of CCAS to be opened on Christmas can be drop off their gift at the shelter any day between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. until Dec. 24.

CCAS is at 325 S.W. 2nd Ave. For more information on the shelter, visit capecoralanimalshelter.com.

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