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Some of the best Christmas gifts you can give yourself come wrapped in fur. Theyre cuddly, they make great companions – and the joy of having them around wont fade with the season but will last a lifetime. Where to find such presents? Head for the San Antonio Humane Society, where some of the cutest cats and dogs you can imagine are hoping for homes. Typical of the furry sweethearts:

Snowball: This felines fur is as soft and white as the flakes that are supposed to fall during the holidays. And although he might not bring that icy stuff to Texas, he still can bring a blizzard of fun into your life. Snowball is just 5 months old – a kitten, really – but hes mellow and well behaved for his age. Favorite things are snuggling, purring and meeting new people. His first set of vaccinations, a microchip for ID, fixing and a bag of Science Diet will be among the perks included in his adoption package.

Elroy: Taken in at the Humane Societys receiving facility at Animal Care Services, the little collie mix instantly won hearts with his adorable puppy ways. He likes to cuddle. He likes to play. He likes to pounce with glee and give sweet kisses. Elroy is adorable, in other words, and he promises to be a great grown-up dog. So just give him some guidance and show patience as he learns the ropes. In almost no time, you will be rewarded with a perfect pal.

Where to find these pets: Snowball, Elroy and many others are in the care of the San Antonio Humane Society, 4804 Fredericksburg Road. Call 210-226-7461. To find out more about the shelter, visit www.sahumane.org.

ROSE MARY BUDGE

The cheery seaside pier of Radio Club will turn into a social playground for your beloved four-legged friends as a two-day dog fair will kick start there on Saturday. The fourth Dog AFair will be open from 2pm to 9pm.

This year, the Dog AFair calls all doggies and their parents to celebrate the New Year on a new note, and what better way than with our furry friends getting together, says Farzana Contractor, the force behind the concept.

Farzana said she started the fair so that those without dogs can come and interact with those with dogs and hopefully realise the importance of having their children grow up with a dog around. The educative values are immense. Plus it gives children a normal childhood and keeps them from becoming gizmo geeks! says Farzana.

The carnival will showcase products to enhance the lives of their doggie babies and also include events for pets to learn, interact, indulge or simply enjoy the day out. Celebrity dog lovers too are planning to come along with their designer pets.

The unveiling of the special anniversary issue of Dogs amp; More, with the legendary Amitabh Bachchan on the cover will take place at 5pm on Saturday.

Several activities such the much-awaited Dog Awards will be organised on Sunday at 5pm.

Help Chaz, Buddy and Other Furry Friends Find New Homes

The Bergen County Animal Shelter, located in Teterboro, always has many animals who are looking for a great home.

Furry Friends Up for Adoption at Animal Care Foundation

The Animal Care Foundation and Hawaii Reporter have launched a partnership to introduce Oahus loveable furry friends – dogs and cats – in need of adoption.

The Animal Care Foundation, a no kill facility located at 6650 Hawaii Kai Drive, Suite 105 in Hawaii Kai, (phone: 808-396-3333/ contact@acfanimals.org) is open 7 am to 8 pm, except for Tuesdays when the foundation is closed.

It is the best place to adopt a pet, according to staffer Robyn Washousky, because The Animal Care Foundation is the only animal adoption agency offering comprehensive preventative care such as heart worm tests and vaccinations before adoptions. The non-profit 501-c-3 organization also is making the effort to match animals needs/personalities to families needs/personalities.

The Foundation has a referral rewards program as well. When people refer their friends and family to us, and the adoption is finalized, they receive $10 towards services at our clinic or in the form of a check, Washousky said.

Teetering tots and curious 6-year-olds listen in awe when Julie Ladd tells them about all the tracks animals leave in the snow.

The half-dozen preschoolers scooted from their carpet squares to examine different kinds of bird feet as she explained the differences between each one — like sharp, small talons for a hawk and long legs and toes for blue herons.

Even parents watching from their benches inside the Frost building at Erie MetroParks perked up now and then when a new nature fact caught their attention.

Ladd, a park naturalist, hosts the hour-long animal tracks program about this time each year as part of the Park Pals series, where 3- to 6-year-olds are invited to learn about furry and feathered friends for free.

Snowless trails made Saturdays outdoor search difficult for the usual footprints from the forest creatures that call Osborn Park home.

But other traces of animal life still fascinated the kids.

Animal scat spattered on the trail, and ravaged half-buried walnut shells led to a few squirrels foraging at the end of the walk — more than enough to elicit a declaration from one of the preschoolers that the visit had been fun.

He grabbed his grandmothers hand as they headed to the car, and she shouted to Ladd across the parking lot that theyd be back Monday.

The Park Pals programs draw regular visitors each year. With four quick sessions a month, its almost like free preschool, Ladd said.

Theres usually five to 10 kids at each session, and more unusual topics during the summer draw attendance of up to 20.

Theres a lot to learn and things to do, she said. Everybody can learn something.

Most park activities are free, and there are programs scheduled year-round for all ages.

Next week alone there is another Park Pals session, a full moon night hike, watercolor class and a session about how to attract winter birds to a feeder.

Visit eriemetroparks.org for information on all upcoming sessions or check the community events section of the Register each day.

The ASPCA has a few good pets looking for a new home in the new year.

More than 100 cats and dogs are up for adoption at the ASPCAs center on the Upper East Side.

ASPCA officials are asking New Yorkers to consider adding a new member to their family in 2012.

They also recommend taking part in their meet your match program to ensure a good household fit.

We encourage everyone who is interested in adopting to think about the time commitment that would be involved with owning a new pet, also providing them with proper health care and grooming and exercise. So we do encourage the entire family, everyone whos going to be in contact with the animal, to come in because it is going to be a family commitment, said ASPCA Adoption Program Assistant Director Lourdes Bravo.

The ASPCA hit its goal in 2011 of adopting out 3,200 pets. However, the organization says adoptions are down 10 percent citywide, likely due to the economy.

We want people to consider adopting not only through the end of this year but make that a New Years resolution to bring a furry friend home, said ASPCA Volunteer Program Director Diane Wilkerson.

We are still full to capacity, there are plenty of animals that are still looking for their homes, added Bravo.

For more information on adopting a furry friend, visit aspca.org.

Its 2012 and and with the new year comes a couple of homeless cats that we are featuring who would make great companions for anyone whos feeling down with the blues. Theres nothing like a feline pick-me-up when youre feeling a little lonely. Also, when the snow is falling, and theres a chill in the air, you always know that theres a warm furry friend waiting for you when you return home.

UNDATED (CNN) — A new study confirms what many of you probably already suspected about your furry friends: puppy mills can cause long-term psychological damage.

Researchers report in the upcomingApplied Animal Behavior Science that there is strong evidence dogs continue to carry emotional scars from large-scale breeding facilities long after theyve been put in loving homes.

The study compared the psychological and behavioral characteristics of puppy mill dogs with those not from a mill.

Researchers found dogs from the mills had higher levels of phobia, compulsive behaviors and heightened sensitivity.

They also discovered the behavioral differences were still there whether the dogs came from a dirty, illegal farm versus a law-abiding commercial breeding operation.

TWO furry additions have joined Acorns Primary School in Long Compton after being donated by a pet shop.

Pupils have given an enthusiastic welcome to the pint-sized pets, and have already named them Ginger and Tinkerbell.

The two guinea pigs were kindly donated by Pets at Home in Stratford and have been described by children as “adorable little creatures.”

A group of Reception pupils went to the store to meet their new school pets and also received plenty of advice on caring for the animals.

The whole school community has rallied round to welcome the guineas pigs and school cook, Linda has donated £50 for food and bedding.

Headteacher Christian Hilton said: “Our growing village school prides itself on its warm, family atmosphere and the pets have enhanced it even further.

“The responsibility, care and commitment required to look after pets are excellent lessons to our children and we are grateful to Pets at Home for their support.”

Left to right: Dianna Wallace with Guss; Robert Young with Jake; Anne Tiry with Hannah; Megan McQueen with Baxter; and Loree McQueen with Oliver. They belong to the all-volunteer Furry Friends Pet Assisted Therapy Services.