Paws in the Park countdown: 24 days!

March is here, which means we're in the homestretch to Paws in the Park. We have some exciting new developments to share this week:

We just added Why Dogs Fly to our post-walk festivities! Al and his canine team of disc dogs, including George, Gracie and Roxy, are bringing their high-energy performance to Kit Carson Park for your enjoyment. You won't want to miss it!

Brooke Landau of San Diego 6, our presenting media sponsor, also was added to our lineup this week. Brooke is the weekend weathercaster for San Diego 6 and is a Paws in the Park veteran, doing her live weather hits from the event for the past two years. This year, we are excited to announce that she will be joining us as our event emcee!

There's still time to register for Paws in the Park 2011. Click HERE to register and create your own fundraising page, then join us on March 27 to raise funding for animals in need.

Event schedule:

8 a.m.: Registration and light breakfast, entertainment, and a special meet and greet

8:45 a.m.: Blessing of the animals with Rev. Canon Lee B. Teed

9 a.m.: Walk kickoff!

10:15 a.m.: Contests for you and your dog, including Canine Couture and the Amazing Rover Race!

11 a.m.-noon: Entertainment, giveaways, raffle, doggie kissing booth, pet confidence-building course, Paw vendor expo, which will include such vendors as Easy Turf, K9 Dog Park, and Welk Resort, games for the whole family - including our furry friends!

We hope to see you and your canine companions at Paws in the Park on March 27!

Paws in the Park countdown: 33 days!

You won't want to miss the Escondido Humane Society's annual Paws in the Park dog walk on March 27! Join us as we celebrate the bond between people and their pets and raise funding and awareness for animals in need.

What is Paws in the Park?

Paws in the Park is the largest dog walk in North San Diego County and is the Escondido Humane Society's biggest fundraiser of the year. The event supports animal rescue, rehabilitation and adoption programs at EHS and helps us care for the 4,500 animals who come through our doors every year.

When is Paws in the Park?

8 a.m. to noon Sunday, March 27, at Kit Carson Park, 3333 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido.

Event schedule:

This year's Paws in the Park is sure to be a tail-wagging good time. The fun is just beginning: fundraising incentives start at $50 raised, and we'll have terrific prizes for our Top Dogs (individual fundraisers) and Top Packs (teams). After the walk, you are invited to participate in the morning's fun activities:

8 a.m.: Registration and light breakfast, entertainment, and a special meet and greet

8:45 a.m.: Blessing of the animals with Rev. Canon Lee B. Teed

9 a.m.: Walk kickoff!

10:15 a.m.: Contests for you and your dog, including Canine Couture and the Amazing Rover Race!

11 a.m.-noon: Entertainment, giveaways, raffle, doggie kissing booth, pet confidence-building course, Paw vendor expo, which will include such vendors as Easy Turf, K9 Dog Park, and Welk Resort, games for the whole family - including our furry friends!

I want to participate! How do I get started?

Register online today by clicking HERE. Create your own fundraising page, then e-mail the link to your personal web page to everyone you know! "Create a "pack" (team) of your own, or see if you can be the "top dog" (individual fundraiser). Already booked on March 27? Join us as a "virtual walker!" It's quick, easy, and makes a lifesaving difference for animals in need. Do you have bunny or feline friends? Consider letting them cat-nap the morning away and join us in their honor. After all, Paws in the Park 2011 supports all companion animals in need! Download our 2011 Walker's Guide HERE for helpful fundraising tricks and tips.

Earn prizes for your fundraising efforts!

Every dollar makes a difference for the animals at the Escondido Humane Society. As a token of our appreciation for your fundraising efforts, we offer incentive prizes such as T-shirts, doggie bandanas and gift cards based on dollars raised, starting at $50.

What other activities do you have besides the walk?

After the 1.5- or 2.5-mile walk, everyone is invited to stay for our post-walk activities. There are a lot of fun activities for the entire family - including the canines! - including games, contests, PAW vendor expo, entertainment by Gary Trice, San Diego's "Classic Rocking DJ," giveaways, raffle, doggie kissing booth, and so much more. We'll also be joined by media sponsor San Diego 6 and radio sponsor Magic 92.5. Sponsors include presenting sponsor, the Petco Foundation; Westfield North County; Veterinary Specialty Hospital; Cindy Waasdorp, Prudential California Realty; Barons the Marketplace; and San Diego County Credit Union.

I own a business. How can I help?

We have many sponsorship opportunities available, or you can join us as a vendor at our PAW vendor expo. Click HERE to download our sponsorship packet and HERE to download a vendor packet.

We're here to help you SUCCEED for all of the animals in our care. Contact us with any questions or comments by calling (760) 888-2235 or e-mailing development@escondidohumanesociety.org.

All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go for Valentine's Day!

Can you give some special pets a date for Valentine's Day?

Many of our black and black-and-white combination dogs and cats have dressed to impress in hopes of finding that special date for Valentine's Day. Perhaps you could be the perfect match they've been waiting for!

Because love is so priceless, we are waiving our normal adoption fees on all adult and senior dogs and cats with all-black fur, like Joan (pictured here), or black-and-white combination fur and allowing adopters to name their own adoption fee. These pets are dressed to the nines and are ready for that special someone to sweep them off their feet and into loving homes. The special will run Feb. 12-14.

The Escondido Humane Society Adoption Center, 3450 E. Valley Parkway, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, log on to www.escondidohumanesociety.org or call (760) 888-2247.

We've lowered our adoption fees!

To make it easier for you to add a new furry family member to your home, we have permanently lowered our adoption fees for puppies and kittens and adult cats and dogs, like Neo (pictured here).

The new fees are:

• $110 for puppies and kittens (up to 6 months)
• $85 for adult cats and dogs(6 months to 7 years)

But that's not all! We've also added a "Best Buddies" option: Adopt one adult cat at the regular $85 fee and the second adult cat's fee is waived!

The adoption fee for senior dogs and cats (7 years and older) remains $55; rabbit adoption fees remain $45 for all ages.

For more information, such as what all adoption fees include, log on to www.escondidohumanesociety.org.

It's Paws in the Park time!

Mark your calendars: Paws in the Park is March 27 at Kit Carson Park! Join us as we celebrate the bond between people and their pets and raise funding and awareness for animals in need.

Registration for Paws in the Park is open now. Click HERE to register or call (760) 888-2235. Everyone who registers online before Feb. 1 will be entered into a drawing for a gift basket of pet goodies!

Registration is free, and walk registrants will receive incentive prizes such as T-shirts, doggie bandanas and gift cards based on the amount of pledges raised.

Every penny raised at Paws in the Park will go directly toward animals awaiting a home at the Escondido Humane Society, and your participation in the event will make life better for animals in need.

Paws in the Park quick facts

What: Paws in the Park is the biggest event of its kind in North San Diego County. It's a fun event for the entire family - canines included! Join us for a day of good company, contests, entertainment, shopping, food, games and much more. Proceeds benefit animals awaiting a home at the Escondido Humane Society.

Date: Sunday, March 27, 2011

Time: 8 a.m. to noon; walk kickoff at 9 a.m.

Where: Kit Carson Park, 3333 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido

Contact: (760) 888-2235; www.escondidohumanesociety.org

Special round of a-paws for presenting sponsor, the Petco Foundation

Heartwarming kindness

Clutching his mother's hand, Thomas (pictured here) visited EHS to donate towels, canned food, and toys for our dogs and cats. He included pictures of our animals printed from our website, pasted onto crayon artwork of happy scenes. He excitedly told us that Santa would be bringing us even more food, bedding, and toys for the animals.

We asked him what he asked Santa to bring him. "For me?" he asked, clearly stumped. "Yes, for you," we replied. "Oh, I didn't ask for anything for me. I only asked for things for the animals." With a big smile, he continues to list the many items that Santa will be bringing the animals at EHS.

The holiday season in a shelter can be especially tough on the heart. Almost 600 animals will spend the New Year at EHS, a warm, safe and loving place - but not a home. We wonder how many more animals will be left on the streets in 2011 ... will it be 5,000 like last year? Will it be more?

But the innocent, wholehearted generosity of kids like Thomas - and many other people of all ages who do what they can for the animals - gives us great hope for all of the sweet animals in our care.

Thank you to all of the amazing friends of the animals at EHS for greeting homeless animals with unwavering generosity and for reminding us all of our own power to do good.

Greetings!

In this time of family and togetherness, many of us include our pets in our holiday celebrations. But not all animals are so lucky. Pictured here is Samantha, who lost her family right before the holidays. And while she and the more than 600 animals in our care will not be alone - staff and volunteers make sure of that - nothing can replace the love and warmth that a home and family provide.

Please help make sure animals like Samantha have a warm holiday season by making a tax-deductible donation today.

The Escondido Humane Society's resources - veterinary care, shelter, adoptions, behavioral training, education and pet therapy - are supported solely by our generous donors. As a private 501(c)(3) organization, we receive no funds from the state, other shelters or the ASPCA or HSUS. The animals depend on people like you to care for them.

As you look forward to the upcoming holidays, we wanted to let you know that there are many ways to support the Escondido Humane Society throughout the season:

• Having a difficult time shopping for that special person who has everything - including a big heart? Consider making a gift to the Escondido Humane Society in their name. Sponsor a dog or a cat (or both), and we'll send your recipient a beautiful card notifying them of your gift. A gift of a new, better life for an animal in need - what could be more thoughtful?
• We gratefully accept gifts in kind, including towels, canned dog and cat food, Kong toys, and much more. Click HERE for our Wish List.
• The gift of your time also makes a big impact on the animals in our care. Volunteer opportunities include walking dogs, cuddling cats and bunnies, events, foster care and much more.
• Adopt! We have hundreds of pets in all shapes and sizes looking for new forever homes every day. When you adopt from us, you are giving a homeless animal a second chance at love.
• Consider supporting the animals at EHS through our planned giving options. Your planned gift to the Escondido Humane Society is a statement of your lifelong commitment to animals, and a wonderful investment in ensuring a bright future for companion animals in need. Call (760) 888-2240 for more information.

Every animal, every day, deserves a safe place to call home. For the 5,000 homeless, neglected and abused animals who come to the doors of the Escondido Humane Society each year - and the 155,000 animals we protect in our communities - it's the difference of a brand new life.

Thank you for all your kind support throughout the year. Your generous spirit makes our lifesaving work possible.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season,

The Escondido Humane Society

* The Escondido Humane Society is proud to be rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator - the highest rating offered to exceptional charities that exceed industry standard in fiscal responsibility, organizational efficiency and growth - and the highest-rated animal shelter in California.