Attention pet owners – Santa Claus is coming to town – at leastto the Woodmen of the World Building.

The Brookhaven Animal Rescue League and the State Board ofAnimal Health are hosting pictures with Santa and a rabies clinicSaturday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Woodmen of the WorldBuilding on Industrial Park Rd.

“This is our second year,” said Gayle Ross, BARL volunteer ofthe holiday fund raiser. “We had a really good response lastyear.”

It is estimated that 40 to 45 pets and a couple of children werephotographed during the last holiday season.

“One lady brought her children last year,” Ross said. “Shethought it was children’s photos with Santa.”

After pets photos are taken with Santa, owners will be able topurchase the photographs.

“Last year, many more came than expected. We were backed up, sonow we have two stations set up,” Ross said, referring to theequipment necessary to print out pets’ photos to take home the dayof the event.

“All funds collected will provide medical care for the homelessanimals we house,” Ross said.

BARL currently has about 70 dogs and 20 cats under its care. Theleague went over its 50-dog capacity about a month ago when thecity disbanded its pound.

“We went out and got all of their animals that they were goingto euthanized,” Ross said.

A rabies clinic will coincide with the pet photos. Localveterinarians will be on hand to administer rabies vaccine to cats,dogs or ferrets for a fee on the other end of the Woodmenbuilding.

“We had no problems with aggressive animals last year,” saidRoss, but she requested that all animals be restrained either on aleash or in a pet carrier for their safety.

The BARL is a no-kill, all volunteer animal welfare group thatarranges medical care, food and housing for abandoned and orphanedanimals until they can be placed with families.

For more information about Saturday’s event call BARL at (601)757-4367 or e-mail info@BARL.net.