UC Davis' Mercer clinic is asking for the public's help in providing holiday treats for the pets of homeless people in Sacramento. And, if you have a pet, the clinic has a treat for you, too: a picture of your pet with Santa Paws!

Veterinary students run the clinic, with supervision by faculty members and private veterinarians who volunteer their time. The Mercer Veterinary Clinic for the Homeless, next to Loaves & Fishes, is open the second Saturday of every month; homeless people are welcome to bring in their pets for basic veterinary care and access to emergency care, as well as food, all free of charge.

Homeless people and their pets who visit in December will be the beneficiaries of holiday pet gift "baskets," actually decorated boxes, filled with canned and dry food, treats, toys, leashes and pet care products.

Veterinary students started the holiday gift basket project in 1992 and it has been organized since 1995 by volunteers associated with the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital's newsletter, The Voice, with an assist from the Mercer clinic's student officers.

"During these unusually difficult times, we especially need monetary donations that can be used to purchase pet toys, which are a real source of joy for both the animals and their owners," said Eileen Samitz, a clinical microbiologist who uses vacation time annually to coordinate the gift basket project.

She noted that pet supply companies provide the pet food and some of the other items for the holiday baskets, but other donations for toys and treats come from the community.

The holiday pet baskets are due to be assembled from noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 8 and distributed Dec. 12 at the clinic.

Interested in donating? Please make your check payable to VMTH-Mercer Holiday Pet Baskets and send it to Financial Services, attention Debra Nelson, Room 102 VMTH Administration Annex, University of California, One Shields Ave., Davis 95616.

The clinic survives on donations and small grants — so, donations are welcome for the holiday gift baskets and-or for the clinic's year-round operations. For the latter, send your check to the Mercer Clinic for the Pets of the Homeless, P.O. Box 297, Davis 95617.

The clinic also is seeking a new trailer. "This past year the small and aged trailer that had been used for so many years was finally beyond repair and had to be given up," Samitz said. "So the Mercer Veterinary Clinic is putting out a plea for anyone who may wish to donate a trailer to give the clinic shelter."

For more information on the holiday gift baskets, call Samitz at (530) 756-5165.*

More information on the clinic (including the holiday gift basket program) is available online. All donations are tax-deductible.

Pet pictures with Santa Paws

As Christmas approaches, there is another way to donate — by taking your pet to see Santa Paws, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Arden Animal Hospital, 1823 Fulton Ave., Sacramento. You can arrange an appointment by calling (916) 485-5412; walk-ins also are welcome.

Suggested donations: $20 for a photo or CD of your pet with Santa; $5 more for both photo and CD.