Residents will have a chance to meet the four-legged inhabitants of the Cass County Animal Shelter Saturday, as the agency hosts its annual Christmas open house that morning.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the shelter, located at 323 M-62, Cassopolis. The public is invited to tour the entire facility, as well enjoy some refreshments provided by staff.

Shelter employees have hosted an annual open house for more than a decade, with the event serving as a way for the community to check out how the shelter operates, said senior enforcement officer Ron Butts. In addition, the event serves as the agency’s main fundraiser for the year, with visitors encouraged to donate either money or supplies, such as food, kitty litter or cleaning products, Butts said.

“It can be something as simple as a can of dog food or a container of bleach,” Butts said.

While visitors will not be able to adopt any pets during the open house, they will have a chance to reserve a particular animal on a first come, first serve basis, Butts said. The shelter will be open the next day for people to come in and pick up their reserved pet, Butts said.

“We are trying to do something to help empty the place out a bit,” he said. “We have a lot of nice dogs and cats right now who could use a home.”

The event often draws between 200 to 300 people every the year, with the donations they bring in helping to sustain the shelter’s operations for year ahead. Staff members have not had to purchase dog or cat food for several years now, due to the donations they receive from residents during the open house and throughout the year, Butt said.

“It is humbling to see the support we have here in the community,” Butts said. “That is one of the things we look forward to with this event. It is a chance for us to say ‘thank you.’”