Celebrate Holiday Season With A Furry Friend
by Tim Froberg
Dogs are amazing, gentle creatures that don’t judge and give unconditional love. They deserve some holiday cheer, too.
The Fox Valley Humane Association is doing its part to make sure shelter dogs experience the warmth and wonders of the holidays through its fourth annual Howliday Sleepover event.
The Howliday Sleepover is a successful program that gives shelter dogs a Christmas gift: a much-welcomed opportunity to spend the holiday season in a cozy home rather than a kennel.
Program participants take the canines home for the holidays after being matched with FVHA shelter dogs that fit their home and lifestyle. Participants will be asked to make at least a two-day commitment, but it’s preferred that the pooch remain with them until the start of the new year due to light holiday staffing at the shelter.
The hope is that participants will decide to temporarily foster the dog until it finds a forever home or make it a permanent part of the family by adopting it. And if neither happens, the dog gets at least a brief reprieve from the shelter.
“Even a few days in a home can make such a difference for these dogs,” said Alex Sturm, FVHA’s community outreach coordinator and volunteer-foster coordinator. “It helps them relax, show their personalities, and experience the comfort and love they deserve during the holidays.”
The FVHA launched the program in 2021, and it has been a major success.
“It’s been very successful,” Sturm said. “We’ve had quite a few dogs that have been adopted — some permanently and some in long-term foster homes. It’s great to get the dogs out of the shelter and with families.”
Participants are asked to attend matching appointments scheduled for Dec. 22–23, where they will meet dogs and work with the FVHA’s adoption staff to find furry friends that best suit their home situation.
“Not all of our dogs would do best at big family gatherings, and not all of our dogs are the best fit for a home with cats, so we run it like an adoption appointment,” said Sturm. “We match them with the best-fit dog for their home and what their week looks like.”
“No matter how long a family participates, each Howliday Sleepover helps a dog feel safe, loved, and part of something special during the season of giving.”
Sturm anticipates that at least 10 dogs will be up for adoption — and possibly more.
“The Howliday Sleepover has become one of our most beloved traditions,” said Sturm. “Some families fall in love with their furry guest and decide to adopt. That’s known affectionately as a foster fail, and we consider that a win-win.”
“Others enjoy fostering through the holidays or continue fostering until their dog finds a home. Our adoption team is eager to make perfect matches once the time comes.”
For more information on the program and to see what dogs are currently available for adoption, go to the FVHA’s website, foxvalleypets.org. Or call 920-733-1717.
The FVHA — located at N 115 Two Mile Road in Appleton — is a nonprofit organization focused on saving the lives of animals and offers a variety of events and programs to the community. It is a full-service, state-of-the-art animal shelter and resource center, serving thousands of people and pets each year.
Although the Howliday Sleepover doesn’t officially start until Dec. 23, FVHA dogs, cats, and all animals can be fostered or adopted at any time.
This article was originally published in the December 2025/January 2026 issue of Appleton Monthly Magazine.
