The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Santa-Paws won’t be coming to Sisters this year. Furry Friends Foundation’s Pet Photos with Santa has been canceled for 2020 due to COVID-19.

This annual event has been held for the past 15 years in Sisters, originally held outdoors snow or shine on the Sisters Art Works porch.

“I am really going to miss seeing all the dogs and families, many who come every year,” said Furry Friends founder Kiki Dolson. “There is that beautiful Golden Retriever, Sammy, that comes with her owner and four adopted moms all dressed up for the season. I’ll miss the puppies who come back as adult dogs the next year, the beautiful greyhounds, the giant Irish wolfhounds and that one scared Aussie who has warmed up over the years. I’ll miss the high energy and contagious excitement of the dogs. There is always one or two that get away from their owners and do zoomies around the room barking with tails wagging.”

Furry Friends Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit aiding pets and their families in the Sisters area. They maintain two pet food banks, one at their office and one at the Kiwanis food bank. The pet supply bank at their office also includes collars, leashes, bowls, coats, booties, beds, crates, toys, chews and more. They sponsor free spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations and offer many other pet-related services.

The annual holiday event is a major fundraiser for Furry Friends’ holiday pet food drive.

“We are seeing many new clients since the pandemic and like so many nonprofits in Sisters, we’ll be scrambling to make up these lost funds from another canceled event,” said Dolson.

Folks wanting to make a tax-deductible donation to Furry Friends Foundation may do so by mailing a check to PO Box 1175, Sisters, OR 97759 or donate online at www.furryfriendsfoundation.org.

If you are need of assistance, or to find out more about Furry Friends, call 541-797-4023. The Furry Friends office is located at 412 E. Main (behind The Nugget’s office).