TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Lakeland SPCA Tries Suite Idea To Increase Adoptions

Tribune photo by JULIE BUSCH

Mistletoe, right, a beagle and Cassidy, left, a hound mix, peek out of the Nutcracker-themed window display they're housed in at the Lakeside Village mall.

ADVERTISEMENT

By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 1, 2008

LAKELAND - The real question: Will a real mouse play the Mouse King?

The Lakeland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals premiered the holiday classic "Nutcracker Suite" today at the Lakeside Village Paws & Claus Adoption Center, with shelter animals playing the roles in the popular Tchaikovsky ballet composed 116 years ago.

The marketing gambit played well, with adorable puppies and kitties in two storefront windows with "Nutcracker Suite" backdrops. Passers-by gawked and cooed; some came in to make immediate adoptions.

None of the animals knew the choreography of the world-famous holiday ballet, nor did the dogs bay the familiar notes beginning the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy."

They didn't need to. They hopped around in unsynchronized pandemonium, playfully nipping at and climbing over one another. Puppies stole the show. Across the aisle, aloof cats looked down their noses at the foolish dogs.

SPCA spokeswoman Rachel Aycock said the holiday adoption idea came from a San Francisco chapter that has presented the "Nutcracker Suite" for about two decades with much success.

With sets donated by Lakeland artist Thomas Monaco and storefront space provided in the Lakeside Village mall, the local production will last until Dec. 23.

Although most of the stars are puppies and kittens, hundreds of understudies may take the stage. Aycock said the SPCA hopes to place more than 200 dogs and cats for adoption during the next 22 days.

"We're trying to bring pets to people at this location," she said as strolling shoppers gazed at the ballet of beasts.

The first day, about a dozen dogs and cats were brought to the stage and rotated in and out of the storefront.

"Some are good dancers," said Ann Harman, co-chairwoman of the Lakeland SPCA's adoption committee. "Some are comedians."

Shike Franklin of Lakeland was among the first to stop by this morning. She wanted to get her sister a pet before Christmas.

They checked out Cassidy, a hound mix, and Mistletoe, a beagle mix, putting on a show by chewing up the scenery on the dog side of the storefront.

"We're looking for something small," Franklin said.

The storefront is at 1428 Town Center Drive, off Harden Boulevard and north of Polk Parkway. For information about pet adoptions from the Lakeland SPCA, call (863) 646-7722.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT