Annual Lights of Love open house, ceremony for Tree House Humane Society

The Tree House Humane Society, 1212 W. Carmen Ave., announces our 13th annual Lights of Love Open House and Lighting Ceremony.

Everyone can participate by purchasing a Tribute Light in honor or memory of a loved one or beloved pet with all proceeds supporting our efforts to rescue and rehabilitate Chicago's homeless stray cats (with a unique focus on animals that might otherwise be euthanized at traditional shelters) as well as help fund our Capital Campaign for the construction of a new, state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly Adoption Center and low-cost Veterinary Clinic. Thousands of lights will be lit this Holiday to honor and remember those special people and beloved pets that bring joy into our lives. This event will take place Saturday, December 8th, 2012, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at our Headquarters.

Tree House Executive Director, Dave de Funiak commented, “This is a season to celebrate family and friends and to honor those special people and pets in our lives as well as remember those loved ones who are no longer with us. Lights of Love is our signature holiday event, at Tree House, and has become very popular as we welcome more than 300 individuals to tour our shelter headquarters. A highlight of the night is when we illuminate thousands of Tribute Lights that are strung both inside and out of our shelter. This important event provides much needed support and funding to enable us to continue our efforts to help save the lives of Chicago's most vulnerable animals, and it's an opportunity to welcome everyone to celebrate the season at our house. These next few years will have special meaning as we prepare to move. We are in the planning phases for our new Adoption Center and low-cost Veterinary Clinic which will be located in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. Our new facility will further establish Tree House as one of the foremost animal welfare organizations in the country.”

TRIBUTE LIGHTS - A MEANINGFUL GIFT: Honor Someone Special or a Beloved Pet this Holiday with a Tribute Light - Give a gift, or honor or remember someone in a way that truly makes a difference. Thousands of lights will be illuminated during our Lights of Love lighting ceremony and remain lit long after the holiday season. Individuals can purchase a Tribute Light for $10 with all proceeds benefiting Tree House. For a $50 donation individuals will also receive a pewter cat ornament and for a $100 donation individuals will receive a pewter cat ornament and Tree House 2013 Calendar.

EVENT DETAILS: Saturday, December 8th - Open House begins at 5:00 p.m., Tree House, 1212 W. Carmen Avenue. This family-friendly event features behind-the-scenes, guided tours and an opportunity to meet our more than 200 resident cats, a Holiday bazaar with a variety of items for sale, a bake sale (with homemade baked goods including vegan items), refreshments (vegetarian comfort foods), entertainment, and more. A highlight of the evening will be a candlelit procession and lighting ceremony beginning at 6:00 p.m. Thousands of lights, hung both inside and out of our Headquarters as a tribute to those special people and pets in our lives and those who are no longer with us, will be lit.

Parking is available at 5031 N. Broadway Ave.

Admission: $5 suggested donation or bring an unopened can or bag of cat or dog food to support our Pet Food Pantry.

Event sponsors are: Animal Ark Veterinary Clinic, Heal Veterinary Clinic, Novartis, EasySpot

For details, visit TreeHouseAnimals.org

Tree House Humane Society was founded in 1971 and has since expanded and enhanced our programs and services to become the largest, cageless, no-kill shelter specializing in the rescue of sick, injured, abused and neglected cats in the Chicagoland area. To date we have found homes for nearly 20,000 cats. In addition to our focus on the rehabilitation and adoption of stray cats, we offer many other valuable programs and services, including our Low-cost Spay/Neuter Program for cats and dogs, Community Cats Program, Pet Loss Grief Support Group, Humane Investigations Team, Youth Volunteer Program, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Behavior Hotline, Pet Food Pantry, and Education Outreach Program. For more information please visit TreeHouseAnimals.org.