CASSOPOLIS — With the holiday season in full swing, one local agency is looking to spread the Christmas cheer to Cass County’s furriest residents during an annual event this weekend.

Cass County Animal Control, 323 N. M-62, Cassopolis, will host its annual Christmas for the Animals event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the shelter. For the occasion, shelter staff will welcome guests from the community to tour the shelter, enjoy snacks and refreshments, and view the animals under the shelter’s care. During the event, the shelter will be accepting monetary donations as well as donations of pet and cleaning supplies such as kitty litter, bleach, and dog and cat food.

According to Cass County Animal Control Director Ron Butts and Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke, the event, which has been hosted for more than 20 years, serves both as a fundraiser and a thank-you to the community.

“This has been a very busy year for us in terms of cases, and we just want to let people know that we are appreciative, not just for the monetary donations, but for the physical supplies that help us get through the year,” Butts said. “The community has been very supportive of what we have been doing over the last year, and that continues not only throughout the Christmas for the Animals open house but throughout the whole year. … Without community support, we would not have the building that we have today.”

“This is a thank-you to the community. There is lots of great food when people come in,” Behnke added. “It’s a way to give back to the community a little bit for helping out animal control over the year. … It’s great to have the community’s support.”

In years past, the event has brought in upwards of 5,000 pounds of pet food and 350 gallons of bleach. Butts said the donations collected during Christmas for the Animals help to sustain the shelter year-round and can be a great help to the animals, particularly those who have an extended stay at the shelter. Additionally, the donations help allow the shelter to divert its funds to projects such as adoption events and spay/neuter assistance.

“We are very grateful that through community support, we are able to get through the majority of the year with these supplies,” Butts said. “It helps so that we can help put more resources into care for the animals.”

Both Butts and Behnke said they would encourage the public to attend Saturday’s event and celebrate with Cass County Animal Control.

“Come and see the great facility we have here,” Behnke said.

“Stop by and see what we have to offer,” Butts added. “If you’ve got a little appetite, bring that, too.”

For more information, contact the shelter at (269) 445-3701. Animal adoptions will not be taken on the day of the event.