In honor of the gift giving season (see: Christmas, Boxing Day, Hanukkah), SeaWorld San Antonio team members took time to remember domestic animals in need in our local shelters. To support these animals, our team members pitched in for "Pet Tree" donations.

The day my husband and I adopted our cat Woody from the animal shelter, we really weren’t planning on taking anyone home with us. We had just gone to look around on one of those “nothing else to do” Sunday afternoons. We had already discussed getting a companion for Jake, our other rescued cat, and we knew that our best option would be to adopt from a shelter.

Chris Bellows, Vice President of Zoological for SeaWorld San Antonio is pictured above at the launch of Happy Tails. SeaWorld is partnering with local shelters including Animal Care Services, Animal Defense League and the San Antonio Humane Society in this pet adoption program.

Sakari, the newest member of our Shamu family in San Antonio, turned one year old today, January 7, 2011. Guests joined us for her celebration as Sakari, her mother Takara, and another female named Unna received birthday cakes made of frozen jello and whipped cream after shows this past weekend.

First of all, let me just take a moment to say thanks to all of your wonderful stories about Paying It Forward over the holidays (Check out the comments on our PIF page).

Just because the holiday season has come to an end, doesn't mean holiday spirit doesn't linger on. SeaWorld San Antonio takes the opportunity to pay it forward to organizations regularly.