It’s a well-known fact that Mr. Claus loves paws (and hooves and claws and flippers, too). That’s why it’s no surprise that he’s a regular fixture at pet shelters during the holiday season. Many shelters take the opportunity to host or partner with local pet-friendly businesses to offer pet pics with Santa and raise funds or promote pet adoptions.

Here are just a few of our favorite places to snap a shot of your pup’s cute mug with Father Christmas while supporting a good cause:

• Cicero, NY - Annual Santa Paws at Driver's Village benefits Recycle-A-Bull Bully Breed Rescue.
• St. Petersburg, FL - Photos with Santa Paws at The Dog Bar, where for a $35 donation, guests receive print-ready and social media versions of their portrait, with 100% of proceeds benefiting Pawsitive Exposure Project and its efforts to help rescue dogs find forever homes.
• San Diego, CA - Unleash the Holiday Cheer for Traci’s Paws, a first-of-its-kind pet rescue assistance group.
• Delray Beach, FL - Pooches & Presents - Delray is Going to the Dogs offers pet photos with Santa, treats for people and puppies, and activities for kids and canines. The event supports Pets Broward and its efforts to help pets in need.
• Portland, OR - Santa Paws at Brooklyn Carreta benefits Project Pooch and Rouge.
• Conifer, CO - Pet Pictures With Santa at Aspen Park Vet Hospital helps the pets at ResqRanch.
• Cincinnati, OH - Red Dog's Santa Paws at MadTree benefits League for Animal Welfare.

Even malls that typically don’t permit four-legged shoppers may open their doors for them to sit with Santa and tell him what good boys and girls they’ve been this year. Here are a few of the jolliest mall Santas who welcome furry friends:

Haywood Mall in Greenville, SC offers a unique opportunity for your pooch to have a one-on-one with St. Nick. Pets will be permitted from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on December 13, 2026. After Fido whispers his wish, you can purchase photos to don your mantle each season.

The Pet Photos with Santa at FlatIron Crossing in Broomfield, CO takes place every Monday from November 9 to December 14, 2026, beginning at 4 p.m.

More than 100 Simon malls across the country will be hosting a special pets-only night for dogs and cats to get their holiday photos with Kris Kringle. Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove, NY, Tacoma Mall in Tacoma, WA, Burlington Mall in Burlington, MA, and Washington Square Mall in Evansville, IN are just a few of the shopping centers welcoming pups. Check here to see if and when the location nearest you is hosting Pet Photos with Santa this year.

The outdoor sporting goods specialists at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s welcome dogs inside to shop all year, but beginning on November 8 at every location, pups can get their photos taken with Santa for free. Seeing Mr. Claus requires a ticket that assigns your time slot. When you arrive at the store, visit the Bass Pass Ticket Depot next to Santa’s Wonderland to reserve your place in the virtual line, and then shop the store while you wait for your turn. Bass Passes are free, but only a limited number are granted per day.

Santa arrives on Saturday, November 7 at 5 p.m. and will be available for photos every day after until Christmas Eve. You’ll receive a free 4x6 studio-quality portrait of your dog with St. Nick, and other photo packages and Christmas cards are available for purchase and instant print at the store.

Take a trip to Indiana and stop at the Hammond Welcome Center to partake in a unique reenactment of “A Christmas Story’s” famous Santa scene with your candy canine. “A Christmas Story” Comes Home is an annual tribute to the beloved movie, with six replica scenes from the film to enjoy and collectible leg lamps for purchase. On Wag Your Tail Wednesdays, bring your pets for the holiday photo op of a lifetime. St. Nick awaits Fido atop a replica of Santa’s Mountain from the movie, complete with a red slide and a pillow of snow at the bottom.

The Indiana Welcome Center is about 20 minutes from Chicago and two hours from Indianapolis, but you could walk there from your room at the pet-friendly Residence Inn by Marriott Hammond.

Enchant Christmas, the world’s largest holiday light maze, is hosting a special Paws & Claus night at multiple locations across the U.S. this December. Leashed dogs and their people are invited to explore dazzling light displays, take photos with Santa and enjoy special pet-friendly routes. Tickets are by timed entry and must be purchased in advance. Both human and dog tickets (there's a maximum of two dog tickets per order) are required, and you'll need to complete the dog waiver and show proof of vaccinations and license. Events will take place in Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., St. Petersburg and Arcadia, CA. You can search BringFido to find other holiday light events near you.

For a one-of-a-kind photo with the Man in Red, make a reservation for Santa on the Chimney at Chimney Rock State Park. St. Nick will prepare for his big night by rappelling down the 315-foot Chimney Rock. Then, guests are welcome to write a letter to Kris Kringle, create a holiday craft, take a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hike with an elf, and meet live park animal ambassadors. Enjoy all the fun from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on December 5 and 12, 2026.

Afterward, spend a holiday weekend in the mountains at The 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa.

Mark some names off your gift list and get your Christmas card photo made at Jingle Bell Market in Music City. This pet-friendly event features local vendors, food trucks, and photo opportunities with Kris Kringle and one of his reindeer. The market takes place December 5, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stephens Valley, but if you’re not in Nashville, find a holiday market near your town this season.

Spend some time shopping local vendors throughout Middle Tennessee and book a room at Home2 Suites by Hilton Nashville Bellevue for a home base.

Kick off the holiday season with a fun-filled morning for your four-legged friend at Barkfast With Santa! This merry event will feature gingerbread pancakes and dog coffee for Fido. Canine companions can also have their photo taken with Kris Kringle to commemorate the jolly occasion. Human food won't be offered, but you can grab yourself a sugary treat from Sundae Donuts in Pier Village, just around the corner.

If your pup is having trouble finding his Christmas spirit, he can enjoy Barkfast With the Grinch instead. The events will take place on various dates throughout November and December, but you can stuff a toy for an additional fee on December 5.

Find a pet-friendly vacation rental in Long Branch, and after “barkfast”, you can settle in for a long winter’s nap.