Calling all furry EHS alums! We're having a family reunion, and you're all invited!

The Escondido Humane Society is delighted to invite all former animal residents back to the shelter for an alumni reunion on Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This inaugural event will feature food, games, contests, shelter tours, waived adoption fees, a raffle and the opportunity to participate in a memorable group photo.

Join us as we celebrate the animals that have come through our doors and changed all of our lives, like Casey (Class of 2009, pictured here).

All EHS alumni are welcome. Dogs must be leashed at all times and kept under control; cats and bunnies must be in carriers at all times. If you and your furry family members will be joining us, please R.S.V.P. by June 11 by calling (760) 888-2235 or e-mailing media@escondidohumanesociety.org.

If you've adopted from us in the past, are looking to adopt, or are simply a supporter of our cause, we would love to have you join us for this exciting event. For more information, please visit www.escondidohumanesociety.org.

Event schedule and highlights

10 a.m.: EHS opens and the alumni reunion officially kicks off!

* Please note that all adoption fees will be waived that day

10:30 a.m.: Group photo of all alumni. This photo will hang in the halls of the Escondido Humane Society, so be sure to be on time if you would like to be included.

11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m.: Shelter tours. Learn more about our programs and services and meet some of the animals in our care

All afternoon: Food, games for people and pets, waived adoption fees, EHS informational booth, contests

Virtual Reunion

Can't make it on June 25? That's OK! You still can be included in the festivities by participating in our Virtual Reunion. Send your story and photos to media@escondidohumanesociety.org and we will post them on our website and social media sites.

Paws in the Park 2011 is a resounding success!

All of us here at the Escondido Humane Society could not be more thrilled about the success of Paws in the Park 2011. So far, we have raised $101,630 from an estimated 1,000 registered walkers (and their canine companions), event sponsors, and vendors. Yes, it was an amazing year – our best fundraising year ever on record!

Every dollar will help care for the 418 animals currently at EHS, as well as the thousands more who are expected to come through our doors this year. The great news is that our fundraising pages will stay open for another month, so you can help us raise even more funds for animals who truly need it the most. Click HERE to donate today.

To everyone who helped at Paws in the Park - including volunteers, vendors, sponsors, walkers (and their dogs), and all who donated - thank you! Even if you do not personally meet the animals currently at the Escondido Humane Society, please know that they are here, and that their lives are better because of your generosity!

Congratulations and a heartfelt thank you to our individual and team fundraisers!

Top fundraising teams:

1. Team Low Rider

2. Sweet Pea and Jesse

3. Friends of Gollum

Top individual fundraisers

1. Betty Jamieson-Dunne

2. Candy Kalman

3. Wendy Wright

Paws in the Park is THIS Sunday!

Join us at Kit Carson Park this Sunday, March 27, for our biggest event of the year - Paws in the Park!

Join the hundreds of walkers and their canine companions who will be on hand Sunday to raise funding and awareness for homeless animals in our community. Bring your dog, or walk in honor or memory of a pet who has touched your life, and feel great knowing that your efforts will help care for animals who need us the most!

Registration opens at 8 a.m. Pre-register online at www.firstgiving.com/ehs, or register on the day of the event by downloading a pledge form HERE and bringing it to the walk. The walk kicks off at 9 a.m. and is followed by a post-walk celebration complete with contests, games for people and pets alike, entertainment, food, shopping and more.

In addition to these post-walk festivities, we also will be joined by special guests Tamilee Webb, star of the "Buns of Steel" series; Rev. Canon Lee B. Teed, who will lead us on a Blessing of the Animals; Why Dogs Fly; and Paws in the Park 2011 Spokespet Elsa! Brooke Landau of San Diego 6 The CW will serve as master of ceremonies, and Gary Trice, San Diego's "Classic Rocking DJ," will provide music. You're sure to have a ton of fun!

As an independent nonprofit organization, we depend on animal lovers like you to support our lifesaving work. Your participation in Paws in the Park will make a world of difference for animals in need. Every dollar raised for Paws in the Park will be directly transformed into shelter, food, and medical care for the 388 animals in our care at this very moment, as well as the 4,500 more who will come through our doors this year in need of loving care and new homes. Paws in the Park may have gone to the dogs, but ALL animals at the shelter will benefit from your lifesaving work.

* Paws in the Park will take place rain or shine! *

Paws in the Park event schedule

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

8:20 a.m.: Meet Paws in the Park Spokespet Elsa!

8:30 a.m.: Walk warm-up with Tamilee Webb

8:40 a.m.: Blessing of the animals with Rev. Canon Lee B. Teed

9 a.m.: Walk kickoff!

10:15 a.m.: High-flying, high-energy demonstration by Why Dogs Fly!

10:20 a.m.: Canine Couture Fashion show (come dressed to impress!)

10:50 a.m.: The Amazing Rover Race

11:20 a.m.: Award ceremony for top individual and team fundraisers

11:45 a.m.: Raffle winners announced

Noon: Event ends with thank you's for your all of your support!

All morning: Entertainment; giveaways; raffle; doggie kissing booth; pet confidence-building course; games for the whole family - including our furry friends; and Paw vendor expo, which will include such vendors as Allie's Rental; Barons the Marketplace; Cindy Westen - Animal Communicator; City of Escondido - Water Conservation; Easy Turf; Even Chance Pit Bull Advocacy, Resources and Rescue; Four Paws Up; Geico San Marcos; K9 Dog Park; Kahoots; Labrador Rescuers; Magic 92.5; Nature's Select; Noah's Wish; Peace & Love; Petco Foundation; PetLovers Publications; Petville USA; P+T Enterprises; Pure Cleaning Agency; San Diego County Credit Union; San Diego House Rabbit Society; Silverado Senior Living; The Animal Keeper; The Dog Pad; Trinity Property Consultants; Two Paws Up; Veterinary Specialty Hospital; Welk Resort; and Westfield North County

Many wags of thanks for our sponsors!

Presenting sponsor the Petco Foundation; San Diego 6 and event emcee Brooke Landau; Westfield North County; Magic 92.5; ABC Veterinary Hospital; Veterinary Specialty Hospital; San Diego County Credit Union; Acacia Animal Health Center; Barons The Marketplace; Cindy Waasdorp; Rincon; Aall In Limo Service; and Gary Trice, San Diego's Classic Rocking DJ.

Their support is making a difference for pets and people across San Diego - THANK YOU!

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.