It's not just local businesses who see more traffic with the holidays approaching.

Heaven Can Wait Animal Shelter south of High River has also seen an increase in activity.

Kim Hessel, founder and president of HCW, says with the cooler temperatures she sees more people concerned about strays.

"I get a lot of calls from people who have been feeding strays for a period of time and as soon as the weather changes they're especially worried about them being out there on their own."

Hessel adds the influx of activity at the shelter this time of year isn't anything unusual.

"It's busy from a couple different points of view, part of that obviously is that it is the holidays so staff and volunteers have their own commitments so it's busier that way just in terms of meeting all our own needs."

Heaven Can Wait doesn't adopt out any animals after Dec. 15 which means they spend Christmas at the shelter.

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