AUGUSTA — Most people taking their pets to get them photographed with the Kennebec Valley Humane Society’s Santa Claus arrive with dogs or cats.
But more unique pets also have joined Santa in his chair from time to time. Donald Demeras, a volunteer for the Augusta-based organization, said the most interesting was a 6-foot-long boa constrictor someone brought a few years ago.
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Demeras, who has played the part of Santa for several years, said he asked the owner if the snake had eaten yet that day. After the owner said his snake already had eaten two mice, Demeras agreed to pose with the snake.
“He curled up around my arm, and he had his head in my hand,” Demeres said.
Besides the boa constrictor, Demeres said, people have brought in ferrets, turtles and lizards to take photos with Santa.
“The think it’s the reward of seeing them see their picture. They seem to just glow,” he said.
Demeres, while waiting for people and their pets to arrive Saturday, said some people have come get their picture taken with him since their dogs were puppies.
“I don’t know how many Christmas cards I’ve been on,” he said.
The humane society previously did the pet photos with Santa at Pet Smart, but this was the first year in which the organization has done the event on its own, said Amanda Thompson, volunteer coordinator and outreach manager.
The money from the photos people pay $5 for is used to provide shelter, food and medical services to animals brought to the shelter, Thompson said. The humane society’s biggest fundraisers are its annual Mutt Strutt event and annual auction, she said.
People interested in getting pictures of their pets with Santa can visit the Kennebec Valley Humane Society from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Paul Koenig — 621-5663
Twitter: @paul_koenig
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