Pets from all over the region came to paws for the purrfect holiday photos Saturday as “Santa Paws” stopped by the Humane Society and Shelter SouthCoast for the first time in three years.

“We’re getting back into the swing of things,” Shelter Director Melinda Ventura said with a smile.

Along with the chance to get quality shots of pooches and cats with Santa, the event serves as a fundraiser for the shelter, with families making a donation per photo.

Even with the gloomy weather outside, all pets who met Santa were beaming bright with excitement — even if some required a bit more bribery than others.

“Once you get the treats, that helps,” said Dartmouth resident Mandy Magalhaes, who brought in her 4-year-old dog Basil.

Of course, every pet that stopped by was on Santa’s nice list, especially an eight-year-old Pomeranian named Angel.

“And she is an angel,” said owner Rita Buquette, who noted that Angel was once herself up for adoption at the shelter.

Buquette, who lives at the Sol-e-Mar apartment complex, said that Angle was responsible for helping one of her neighbors warm up to dogs. Angel is also known for sitting on many laps and scooters and softening the hearts of those who are in a bad mood.

This one [resident] was always so angry, but she instantly fell in love with Angel,” Buquette said.

Her dog is also a literal life-saver. 

Buquette recalled that one night Angel woke her up one night to alert her to a fire. During one Halloween, the rescued Pomeranian alerted its sitter to the fact her coffee pot was about to be left on overnight.

“She’s been a godsend to a lot of people,” she said. “She’s my hero.”

In addition to the photos with Santa, the shelter is conducting a raffle of holiday and pet-themed baskets through Dec. 17. Patrons can purchase 10 tickets for $5 or 25 for $10.

“Come do your Christmas shopping here,” Ventura said. “And if you don’t win [the raffle], there’s still time to go to the mall with all that traffic.”