HARLINGEN — Eighth grade Girl Scout Kennedy Dyer spent time hanging stockings and carefully weaving tinsel in and out of the metal loops on the dogs’ kennels.
Her aim was to help them “feel more secure and get more attention” so they could be adopted.
This week, the cat and dog kennels at the Humane Society of Harlingen received a Christmas makeover by Girl Scouts from Harlingen Troop 4138.
Their act of kindness has become a holiday tradition.
It’s a tradition that shelter Animal Care Technician Jonnie Rose Thoeni believes helps increase the chances for the animals to find their forever homes.
“I really do think the decorations promote adoptions because it makes people feel Christmas cheer and be more in the spirit of giving,” she explained. “We’ve already had two people submit dog adoption applications today and one of them just got adopted. So I’m super happy about that.”
Troop leader Jennifer Allen said her Girl Scouts always try to do as much community service as they possibly can each holiday season.
Last weekend, the Girl Scout troop baked cookies at the Ronald McDonald House and plan to volunteer at the upcoming Wreaths Across America Ceremony in Harlingen, which honors fallen service members.
“The girls always look forward to volunteering,” Allen said. “When we put the shelter decorating volunteer opportunity on our schedule and asked the girls if they wanted to participate, they signed up right away.”
Girl Scouts Brianna Garza and Sophia Villarreal devoted their time making sure they helped make the cats’ kennels look perfectly festive.
While they were having fun meticulously hanging sparkly garland in the cat area, the kittens were having just as much fun trying to get their tiny paws on the Christmas decorations.
Sophia said she has a large black cat named Homer and hopes all of the animals at the shelter find a home this Christmas.
If You Go
WHAT — Humane Society of Harlingen
OPEN — Monday through Friday noon to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
WHERE — 1106 Markowsky Avenue, Harlingen
PHONE — (956) 425-7297
