IN PICTURES: SANTA FILLS OUT NICE LIST AT MARATHON PET PHOTOS EVENT

The North Pole’s head elf took a few hours out of his busy schedule on Dec. 5 to meet the best boys and girls of Marathon at Courtyard by Marriott’s Pet Photos with Santa event. In true Keys style, the Christmas event was paired with a dog beach party for all four-pawed attendees to enjoy.

For the first time, furry attendees could help their cousins in need as donations from the event went to benefit the Florida Keys SPCA. “The event was sold out weeks before, and we were able to raise $835,” said Florida Keys SPCA’s director of operations for Marathon Tara McFarland.

Tara McFarland with Otis PATTI CHILDRESS/Keys Weekly

“We had several of our adopted animals show up, so we got to see them in their new homes with their new families. I think it was overall a wonderful community event for families and their pets.”