If you stop by the Pocatello Animal Shelter this holiday season, staff are hoping to hear a different take on an old holiday greeting.

“Instead of ‘Merry Christmas,’ we want to hear ‘Merry KONGmas,’” said Rhett Nicks, Animal Services Director. “And hopefully, you have one of the much-loved pet toys in your hand.”

Currently, Pocatello Animal Services is holding its “Merry KONGmas” toy drive. Shelter staff are seeking donations of the tough toys for the shelter’s dogs as well as peanut butter to be placed inside the toys.

“Our hope is that we get a KONG for every kennel,” Nicks said. “The toys are a vital part of enrichment for the animals at the shelter and helps them cope with shelter life.”

Residents can purchase a toy at a local pet store and drop it off at the Pocatello Animal Shelter, 3100 Avenue of the Chiefs. Citizens can adopt a pet for the holidays from one of the KONGmas trees located at area businesses. The trees are can be found at:

City of Pocatello City Hall                    The Bernett Group
Pocatello Co-op                                    Big O Tires
Shaver Pharmacy                                 Les Schwab Tire Center (North 5th Avenue location)
Reel Theatre                                          Pocatello Community Recreation Center
Outer Limits Fun Zone                         Jungle ReTreat Ice Cream
Elmer's Restaurant                               McKee's Pet, Garden, & Feed Center (Pocatello location)
Allstate Contact Center (Chubbuck)  Convergys
ByRoan’s Cycle Supply                         Nerd Church Gaming  

The items can also be purchased online via an Amazon wish list. The list can be found at a.co/iqVshV2.

For more information on Pocatello Animal Services or to view adoptable pets, visit pocatello.us/animal.