A local veterinarian with a national reach was in Hayden Tuesday to highlight hundreds of animals waiting for a home in North Idaho.

Dr. Marty Becker visited the animals at the Kootenai Humane Society that have been there longer than hoped for.

Becker is recognized as "America's Veterinarian," and has appeared on ABC's Good Morning America, the Dr. Oz Show and is the author of twenty books.

However Tuesday afternoon the focus was all on the dogs and cats waiting for a home.

"There are older dogs, there are younger dogs, medium aged dogs and some special needs dogs," Dr. Becker said.

People went around giving the animals treats and toys, but most importantly "we give them love and we give them hope" Dr. Becker said.

Many times the animals struggle to be adopted because of color, especially if they are black. Also, people can get wary if the animals have been there too long or if they have any special needs.

"I adopted a dog out and every time in her eyes I can see her saying thank you," Rondi Renaldo with the Kootenai Humane Society said.

Becker took his mission across North Idaho, also stopping at the Panhandle Animal Shelter in Ponderay and Second Chance Animal Adoption Shelter in Bonners Ferry.

"We heard Marty Becker was here and I love reading his books and I thought it would be a fun opportunity to visit the animals," Maddy Baker said.

At the end of the day, the hope is some of the animals will catch someone's attention so they can also have a loved filled holiday.

"You can feel the energy here; this is a tribe of pet lovers," Becker said.