First Christmas in an animal shelter: Puppy pair spend first holiday outside testing lab

Have you ever wondered what homeless dogs and cats do in the animal shelter on Christmas Eve?

Posted 5:35 p.m. Dec 22, 2021 — Updated 6:41 p.m. Dec 23, 2021

Heather Leah

, WRAL multiplatform producer

Have you ever wondered what homeless dogs and cats do in the animal shelter during the holidays?

Are they sadly and somberly waiting for their forever home, wishing for a visit from Santa?

Not if the staff and volunteers have any say in the matter.

The Christmas tree in the lobby of the SPCA of Wake County is overflowing with generous donations. Staff and volunteers hand-select the best ones to load into a huge wagon, then deliver holiday-themed toys and treats to each room.

"This year we had a whole bunch of squeaky toys, Kongs stuffed with peanut butter," said Samantha Ranlet, the marketing communications specialist for the SPCA.

Just like people, each dog has a different taste. Tails wagging and eyes wide, each dog gets a visit from the wagon.

"They get to dip their muzzle in the big pile of toys and pick out what is calling to their heart," said Ranlet.

Sometimes an over-excited dog might snag two toys – and that's okay! It's Christmas, after all.

After all the excitement, the animals settle in to celebrate a quiet Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the shelter family. The staff may not be their forever family, but they make sure the animals get plenty of love on Christmas.

"We are closed to the public for adoptions Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but we do have staff here each day," said Ranlet. "Because we're closed for adoptions, we have more time to spend with the pets. We give extra snuggles and more playtime in the yard. It’s kind of a brief reprieve of some quality time between the staff and animals."

First Christmas in a shelter: Puppy pair spend first holiday outside testing lab

Dogs released from lab experience first Christmas in the outside world

Two newcomers to the SPCA of Wake County are Speck and Smidge, a pair of beagles who had been bred for laboratory purposes.

"They were used for studying human medical techniques as a step before human trials," said Ranlet. "They spent the first year and 8 months of their lives in a lab as part of a research study."

The SPCA released a video showing the pair of beagles experiencing their first time walking on the grass – a story that's gone viral on social media.

"They’d never been outside before, never walked on grass or seen a squirrel, all the things you take for granted that a dog gets to experience," said Ranlet.

Ranlet says it's clear Speck and Smidge got plenty of human attention in the lab, as they are friendly and trusting dogs who love climbing onto people's laps.

They're enjoying life at the shelter but still looking for the perfect forever family.

Another pup named Happy is gaining attention on social media also. Despite deformities and weakness in his front legs, the pup is thriving in his new foster home. He has an Instagram profile where his foster family is chronicling his journey as he gains strength and improves his walking skills.

Happy, Speck, Smidge and several other pups are wishing for a forever home this Christmas – or at least in the new year.

But until then, their shelter family is making sure they have the bright and merry Christmas they all deserve.

If you'd like to donate to the SPCA of Wake County for Christmas or the New Year, they are getting matching donations starting later this week – so your donation has double the value.