Pet Photos with Santa to Benefit Local Shelters

When Santa Claus makes his visit to the this month, he won’t be posing with just children eager to share their wish lists. Instead Old St. Nick will welcome cats, dogs, birds, geckos, guinea pigs and, well, you get the idea.

For the next two weekends, Santa will be visiting both Critter Hut locations in North Kingstown and Narragansett for the 5th Annual Photos with Santa – pet edition. With photo packages starting at $15, pet owners can get their furry, feathered or scaled companions in on the holiday joy.

“We have entire families come in with their pets sometimes,” said Kristen Pierson, a professional photographer out of Coventry who will be snapping the photos for Critter Hut. “We have one family of four that comes in to take pictures with their guinea pigs every year.”

Pierson also likes to get a bit creative with her shoots, once placing a lizard on Santa’s head for a portrait. Families are also invited to hop in the pictures along with their pets.

“We do have a lot of fun,” said Pierson. “It’s definitely not the glitz and glam that you get at the Warwick Mall. This is just a nice, small family-run business.”

Though it’s not uncommon to find malls or department stores hosting pet photos with Santa, Critter Hut’s photo shoot sets itself apart by donating most of the proceeds. This year, the portraits will benefit the Friends of North Kingstown Animal Shelter and the East Greenwich Animal Protection League. The event typically raises several hundred dollars for the local organizations.

“It generates a lot of business for us too and it’s just a blast,” said Jeff Champlin, manager at Critter Hut.

This weekend, Santa will be at the Critter Hut in North Kingstown. On Saturday, the EGAPL will set up a table with photos running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Sunday, the Friends of NK Animal Shelter will be on hand as photos run from 1 to 4 p.m. Next Saturday, Father Christmas heads down to the Narragansett from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for more photos.

Champlin says the store hopes to get as many different types of animals in on the fun this year, adding a rooster to the list of animals to pose with Santa. The only pet Champlin doesn't think they can accommodate?

"I don't think we'll be able to do fish," he said.