Paws & Claus: Holiday Magic

The signature celebration day of Paws & Claus: Santa Photos & Holiday Magic at the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA. Saturday's edition of this event expands into a full festive affair that brings together Santa photos, live music, food, and seasonal installations in support of local animal welfare.

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Between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., guests will be welcomed to the shelter for a multi-layered holiday experience. At the heart of the day are our pre-booked, appointment-based Santa photos, offered in ten-minute time slots from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. As with Friday, participants may choose to be photographed with their own pet, with family members only, or with one of our adoptable “Adoption Superstars” selected for their suitability for this type of interaction. This approach offers flexibility for households with pets, as well as for visitors who do not currently have an animal but wish to celebrate the season alongside a shelter pet.

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On Saturday, the Santa photo station becomes part of a larger event environment. Guests can expect a livelier atmosphere, with confirmed live musical performances including Bridget Ball and additional acts (to be announced). Music will be scheduled throughout the day to create a warm, welcoming backdrop for visitors as they move between activities, explore the shelter, and participate in photo sessions.

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A Beavertails® truck will be onsite, offering seasonal treats and hot chocolates to visitors. A portion of proceeds from sales will be donated back to the HBSPCA, providing guests with a tangible way to support animals in care while enjoying a recognizable and well-loved food experience. This partnership adds a celebratory element to the event and helps further the shelter’s fundraising and awareness goals.

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The site will also feature a holiday light installation, including an “Adopt Today” display with animal featurettes - designed as a photo opportunity. This installation will offer families and individuals additional spaces to capture their own candid or posed photos, beyond their formal Santa session.

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Throughout the day, visitors will have opportunities to learn more about the shelter’s adoption programs, volunteer roles, and ways to give. Staff and volunteers will be available to answer questions, provide information on specific animals in our care, and direct guests to areas of interest. For those who choose to have their Santa photos taken with an Adoption Superstar, this may also serve as a meaningful first introduction to an animal who could become a future family member.

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While Saturday’s event is more full and dynamic than Friday’s quiet photo-only format, the HBSPCA remains committed to maintaining a safe, respectful environment for animals and people. Pets attending the event must be leashed or otherwise safely contained, and all interactions with shelter animals will be supervised by staff or trained volunteers. The appointment-based structure for Santa photos applies, with a limited capacity for walk-in photo sessions as space and timing allow.

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Paws & Claus on Saturday is designed to be more than a holiday outing. It is an opportunity for the community to come together in support of animal welfare, to experience the shelter in a welcoming and celebratory way, and to participate in programming that directly supports animals awaiting their forever homes. By attending, guests help amplify the HBSPCA’s work in rescue, care, education, and advocacy, while creating lasting seasonal memories with the people and animals they love.