Five homes to sparkle on SPCA’s holiday home tour

The Merced Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals plans its annual Christmas Home Tour Sunday, which also includes a raffle to benefit the adoption center.

Five homes dressed in holiday decorations and filled with Christmas trees are part of the 22nd annual tour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in Merced. Tickets are $15.

Two of the hosts for the day are Jack and Jani Clarke, a retired couple that will open up its 1286 Avignon Ave. home. On top of the regular holiday cheer, the day holds extra meaning for the Clarkes, who recently adopted 18-month-old Toby the poodle-mix from the shelter.

“He has become the delight of our life,” Jani Clarke, 77, said.

The Clarkes had to euthanize a beloved poodle about two years ago, and decided they would do without a pet so they could travel. Then in September, her birthday came along, and a new dog topped the list.

It took just one visit to the Merced SPCA adoption center to find the perfect match. Jack Clarke, 88, took one look at the Toby and said, “I think we got a new dog.”

So to return the favor to the SPCA, the Clarkes volunteered their home to help raise money for the shelter. In their house, there’s a tree in every room except the laundry room, for a total of 11. Each is themed – there’s a kitchen tree, a family tree, even a bathroom tree.

As an added incentive to visitors, they also plan to serve holiday treats to those on the tour.

Also on Sunday, the Merced SPCA plans to raffle off jewelry, trees, appliances and other prizes at the Vista Ranch and Cellars, 7326 Highway 140. All proceeds from the day benefit the SPCA adoption center, a no-kill shelter.

Merced SPCA President Josie Pulido said the tours draw 200 to 300 people on average, and have made as much as $4,000 for the shelter. She said donations have waned in the last few years, so she’s hoping for a big turnout.

The tours are always a good time, she said. Many of the hosts provide snacks and other treats for guests, and they go all out with the decorations. “They’re just unbelievable, the houses,” Pulido said.

Tickets for the event are available at area stores: Maciel & Co. in Merced Mall, A Blooming Affair, Wash ‘N Wag and Christina’s Fine Clothing in Merced, as well as Expressions of Love Floral in Atwater.

For more on the event, call the Merced SPCA at (209) 384-7722.

This story was originally published December 12, 2014 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Five homes to sparkle on SPCA’s holiday home tour."