Paws in the Park is a big win for the animals at the Escondido Humane Society!

Thank you to everyone who helped make our Paws in the Park dog walk the best walk to date in every way! We have reached our $100,000 fundraising goal, and the donations are still rolling in! Every dollar will help care for the 424 animals currently at the shelter, as well as the thousands more who are expected to come through the shelter’s doors this year.

An estimated 1,600 people and their canine companions - our best turnout ever! - spent the beautiful, sunny morning at Kit Carson Park to raise funding and awareness for animals awaiting a home at EHS, as well as the thousands more who will come through our doors this year in need of a safe haven and loving homes.

Everyone in attendance was treated to a day of fun and entertainment, including a K-9's Got Talent show, and wet T-shirt contest (for the dogs only!), games, raffle and Paw Vendor Expo, which boasted more than 35 vendors. Special guests included Tamilee Webb, star of the "Buns of Steel" series, and Paws in the Park 2010 Spokespet Boo (pictured here with his family at Paws in the Park).

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

First place: Betty Jamieson-Dunne

Second place: Wendy Wright

Third place: Candy Kalman

Top fundraising teams

First place: Sweet Pea and Jesse

Second place: Team Low Rider

Third place: Still too close to call! Please check http://www.escondidohumanesociety.org/ in the coming days for an update.

Please join us in thanking our generous Paws in the Park sponsors:

San Diego 6 and event emcee Heather Myers, San Diego Suburban News, California Veterinary Specialists, Miramar Kitchen and Bath, Rincon, Grande Laundry Place, San Diego County Credit Union, Petco Foundation, Cindy Waasdorp, Wholesome Choice Pet Market, Barons the Marketplace, Allie's Party Equipment Rental and Nanpor Security. Their support is making a difference for pets and people across San Diego - THANK YOU!

Contest winners:

Carlsbad resident Madeline Beccari and her wirehaired Dachshund, Rocket, took home the first-place prize in the doggie wet T-shirt contest. The most talented pooch was a chocolate Labrador retriever named Bear. His singing skills won him and his owner, Tommy Miller of Scripps Ranch, the top prize in the K-9’s Got Talent show.

You can still donate toward Paws in the Park through the Escondido Humane Society Web site, http://www.escondidohumanesociety.org/, or at www.firstgiving.com/ehs to help raise even more funding for animals in need.

Paws in the Park is THIS SUNDAY!

Join us at Kit Carson Park this Sunday, March 28, 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 money 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!

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 423 animals in our care right 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 ... every animal deserves a second chance. Paws in the Park may have gone to the dogs, but ALL animals at the shelter will benefit from your lifesaving work.

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 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.

This year's Paws in the Park is sure to be a tail-wagging, howling good time! We have incentive prizes starting at $25 raised, and all walkers are welcome to participate in the morning's fun activities. You will not want to miss this year's contests. If your pooch is a born performer, you won't want to miss out on our K-9's Got Talent show! The contest is an opportunity for your pooch to show off his or her funniest, wackiest or doggone impressive talent. The best trick will be chosen by the audience, and the winner will receive a prize!

If tricks aren't your four-legged friend's forte, you won't want to miss our wet T-shirt contest. Don't worry, it's just for the dogs - but you can join in on the fun, too! This fun contest is a competition for dogs and their owners. During each heat, dog/owner teams run to one end of the course, dogs squeeze into a wet T-shirt, and everyone runs back to the start. The first team back to the start wins! There will be several heats, and the winners from those heats will face-off in a final race for a great prize!

There also will be giveaways, a raffle, games for people and pets, doggie kissing booth, pet confidence-building course, and Paw vendor expo, which will include such vendors as Animal Communicator Cindy Weston, Welk Resorts, Petopia.TV, artist Annie Graham, Kahoots and much 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, and Paws in the Park 2010 Spokespet Boo! Tamilee will go through a quick routine to get everyone pumped up before the walk, and Boo will lead the parade of walkers at 9 a.m. Heather Myers 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!

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. Click HERE to download the Paws in the Park 2010 Walker's Guide, which offers fundraising tips, event information and more!

We hope to see you at Kit Carson Park, 3333 Bear Valley Parkway, this Sunday for Paws in the Park!

Escondido Humane Society Pet of the Week

This week's Escondido Humane Society Pet of the Week is Autumn. Here's what she wants you to know about her:

Hi, I'm Autumn, a 2-year-old spayed female bunny, ID # 42010. I am a real love bug! I am super sweet and friendly and love people. Like all bunnies, I love my run time, and I have some pretty good dance moves! I might do well as a companion to a male bunny. I am available for adoption at the Escondido Humane Society, 3450 E. Valley Parkway. My $45 adoption fee includes neuter, microchip, up-to-date vaccinations and wellness exam. For more information, call (760) 888-2247 or log on to http://www.escondidohumanesociety.org/. The Escondido Humane Society Adoption Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

Don't forget that the Escondido Humane Society's Paws in the Park dog walk is from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, March 28. The event may have gone to the dogs, but it will raise funding for ALL animals at the Escondido Humane Society, including me! Contact (760) 888-2235 for more information, or go to http://www.firstgiving.com/ehs to register today!

TV stars

Escondido Humane Society adoptable dogs Boss, Woody, Bella and Shelby all have gone on TV in the past few weeks to show off their sparkling personalities. All of them are looking for their forever homes - if you are interested in adoption, please call (760) 888-2247 or log on to http://www.escondidohumanesociety.org/ for more information.

Click on the photo below to meet Boss. It's hard not to smile when you're around this fun-loving, sweet 2-year-old male pit bull mix. He has an infectious joy for life and enthusiasm for everything he does - including loving his people friends!



Click on the photo below to meet Woody. This sweet, gentle Chihuahua mix will make a fine addition to any home - including one with other dogs or kids!

Click on the photo below to meet Bella. Bella is currently in foster care and loves being pampered in a family environment with young children who adore her. She appreciates the company of two other family dogs, and the foster family reports that she's very well-trained, gentle, with a sweet temperament. It was hard on Bella to lose the family she'd been with all her life, but they fell on financial hardship and had to give her up.

Click on the photo below to meet Shelby. Everyone here at the Escondido Humane Society adores Shelby because she's just so darn sweet and fun! She loves to play ball and will even try to put three in her mouth at once (must be the Lab in her). She rides well in the car and loves to give and receive affection.

Special thanks to Darlene White and the San Diego Animal Support Foundation for giving our adoptable dogs the exposure they need to find good homes!

Escondido Humane Society Pet of the Week

This week's Escondido Humane Society Pet of the Week is Seeley. Here's what he wants you to know about him:

Hi, I'm Seeley, a 1-year-old neutered male domestic longhair mix, ID # 42554. When I came to the Escondido Humane Society as a stray in October, my coat was matted and it was apparent that I hadn’t been taken care of. But after a lot of loving care from staff and volunteers, I am ready for a new, loving home. All of the volunteers here at the shelter adore me because of my loving and friendly nature. The first thing I do when I meet people is crawl into their laps, and I want nothing more than to be close to you. The volunteers can’t say enough about how sweet and affectionate I am, and they say my new family will be lucky to have me!

Don't forget that the Escondido Humane Society's Paws in the Park dog walk is from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, March 28. The event may have gone to the dogs, but it will raise funding for ALL animals at the Escondido Humane Society, including me! Contact (760) 888-2235 for more information, or go to http://www.firstgiving.com/ehs to register today!

I am available for adoption at the Escondido Humane Society, 3450 E. Valley Parkway. My $110 adoption fee includes neuter, microchip, up-to-date vaccinations and wellness exam. For more information, call (760) 888-2247 or log on to http://www.escondidohumanesociety.org/. The Escondido Humane Society Adoption Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

Click here to see Seeley in the North County Times

Click here to see Seeley in The Paper

March E-News

Check out the Escondido Humane Society March E-News for updates on Paws in the Park and much more!

March E-News

Escondido Humane Society Pet of the Week

This week's Escondido Humane Society Pet of the Week is Sid. Here's what he wants you to know about him:

Hi, I'm Sid, a 12-year-old neutered male Chihuahua mix (ID # 42966). I may be an older gentleman, but I still have lots of love left to give my new family. I am currently residing in a foster home, and my foster family reports that I am a joy to have around. I am mellow and well-behaved and fit in well with the other family dogs. I love to snuggle and play with my doggie toys. I am available for adoption from the Escondido Humane Society. My adoption fee of $55 includes neuter; microchip with lifetime registration; up-to-date vaccinations; dog licensing (Escondido, San Marcos and Poway areas only); veterinary exam at EHS; wellness exam after adoption; bag of food; discounts at local pet supply, grooming and boarding partners; and behavior support for dogs and cats for lifetime of animal. If you are interested in learning more about me, e-mail julieh@escondidohumanesociety.org, call (760) 888-2247 or log on to http://www.escondidohumanesociety.org/. The Escondido Humane Society Adoption Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

Click here to watch Sid on San Diego 6's "Animal House"

Click here to see Sid in the North County Times

Click here to see Sid in The Paper

A feast for the eyes and ears

The Metaphor Café in Escondido is having a night of live music, poetry and art in benefit of the Escondido Humane Society.The event will feature music by Wade Morris and All Eyes on Butterflies; art by Donna Otter, Claire Levstik and special guest Steven Drake; and poetry read by Nicole Van Noy. There will be a $5 cover, and all ages are welcome. Proceeds will benefit the Escondido Humane Society.

When: 5 p.m. Friday, March 5

Where: Metaphor Café, 258 E. Second Ave., Escondido

Contact: (760) 747-1882