Christmas shopping is in full swing this year and you’re probably already buying gifts for the humans in your life – however, Guilford County Animal Services staff hope that you’ll check out the animal shelter’s Amazon gift registry and pick out a few things for the dogs, cats and various other animals who will be spending Christmas at the shelter.

Many people aren’t aware that the county’s animal shelter has a page on Amazon that displays the shelter’s wants and needs and allows people to easily purchase items through their Amazon accounts and have them shipped to the shelter.

For the animal lovers in the county, the address is: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2HF1D96OCYXN3?ref_=wl_share.

There’s a wide variety of items to choose from.

As to be expected, some of those are things like heavy duty dog leashes, foldable dog crates, catnip and non-clumping cat litter.

But, just as important, there are plenty of animal toys to choose from.

Guilford County Animal Services Director Jorge Ortega said that the toys on the list are more important than people might realize.  He said the interaction with the toys keeps the animals intellectually engaged and heightens their spirits.

For instance, in addition to the usual suspects, the gift registry includes playful coils for kittens, the Outward Hound Invincibles Orange Gecko Plush Dog Toy, and a Kong Wobbler Interactive Dog Feeder.

Some of the toys, such as feeders that present a challenge in order for the animals to get to a treat, help entertain the animals in an environment where they don’t get as much daily attention as a family pet would.

Ortega said that type of emotional engagement is very important to the well-being of the dogs, cats and other animals kept at the shelter.

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