FROM STAFF REPORTS

Shelby County holiday shoppers now have the opportunity to have their dollars stretch all the way to New England.

Shelby Humane Society and its Shelter Partners Program are introducing holiday ornaments featuring a dog or puppy to be transported to another state for adoption.

Customers can purchase one of the $50 ornaments, which showcase the photo of a transport dog in an attractive frame. The donation will be used to sponsor the transport of a homeless dog to New England where, in most cases, homes are found within a week.

Ornaments can be found at Shelby Humane’s Holiday Store at Riverchase Galleria, at Whole Foods in Mountain Brook and on the Shelter Partner’s website Shelter-partners.org.

Founded in 2006, the Shelter Partners Program is a volunteer-driven transport program that provides second chances for thousands of dogs.

The program moves pets from Shelby County, which is experiencing extreme animal overpopulation, to shelters in states where animal and spay and neuter laws and initiatives limit the number of pets available for adoption.

Shelby Humane works with a dedicated group of partner shelters to find new forever families for dogs being transported.

With rare exceptions, the dogs and puppies transferred are placed with adoptive families within a few days of becoming available for adoption.

For more information on the Shelter Partner’s Program, call Michelle Amaral at 612-1102.