BRATTLEBORO — Paws for Prevention, a family- and pet-friendly winter holiday photo event for pets and their people, takes place Sunday, Dec. 8, at Achille Agway in Brattleboro, 1277 Putney Rd., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Paws for Prevention encourages pet owners, families with children, and community members to participate by having a professional photo taken in a winter holiday scene.
A suggested donation of $20 benefits the Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition (BAPC) and the Windham County Humane Society (WCHS).
The event also aims to increase awareness of the risks of secondhand smoke to pets and children, both at home and in the car.
Shannon Albritton, BAPC's communications coordinator, said that working with WCHS seemed like a natural fit, given that Paws for Prevention is a pet-focused event.
“We're pet lovers at BAPC and we wanted to share the event and the proceeds. After meeting with Annie Guion, WCHS director, I knew we were touching on the beginning of a new community partnership,” Albritton said.
She said both groups quickly realized that they share common health concerns, such as the effects of secondhand smoke on children and pets and the accidental poisoning of animals by prescription medications left unsecured in the home.
Both BAPC and WCHS focus on prevention education, and in many ways often speak to the same audience: more than half of all U.S. homes have at least one pet, Albritton said in a press release.
Families and pet owners are encouraged to come out and enjoy having a professional photograph taken by Liz LaVorgna of Core Photo (www.lizlavorgna.com). Photos, with a nostalgic winter holiday setting, will be provided digitally for download to a personal computer or mobile device. Prints may be ordered online, and the images can be used to create unique holiday gifts such as mugs and calendars.
Brattleboro Subaru supports the cause as well by hosting a photo contest. Follow Paws for Prevention on its Facebook page and you might walk off with a grand prize of $100.
Tickets to win raffle prizes are available, with chances to win a wellness basket donated by New Chapter, a ski and dinner package for two donated by Magic Mountain, and various other prizes.
Paws for Prevention is sponsored by Core Photo, Achille Agway, Brattleboro Subaru, WKVT Classic Hits 92.7, West River Valley Veterinary Service, The Commons, White Rose Pet Memorial Services, and Lotus Graphics.