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.

Pet Photos with Santa and Holiday Boutique

On Dec. 4, Santa himself will be making a special stop at the Escondido Humane Society to bring good tidings and cheer to animals in need.

Pet Photos with Santa and Holiday Boutique is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the shelter, 3450 E. Valley Parkway. Whether naughty or nice, all pets can meet Santa and have their photo taken with him and their families. For a $10 donation to Humane Society animals, participants will receive a keepsake 4x6 photo; for an additional $10, they can get a CD with the digital file, just in time to create holiday cards with the entire family. Additional packages are available upon request.

Those who don't have pets of their own but still want to bring joy to animals at the Humane Society can stop by the Holiday Boutique and bake sale at the shelter, where gourmet gifts for dogs and cats and homemade presents for people and pets alike will be available.

Walk-ins (and wag-ins) are welcome. For information, call (760) 888-2235 or log on to www.escondidohumanesociety.org.

November adoption specials

We are bursting at the seams with pets in need of good homes! To help our four-legged friends, like Sally (pictured here), find their forever families, we are having adoption promotions the entire month of November.

All dogs' adoption fees are 50 percent off. Reduced adoption fees are $80 for puppies (up to 6 months), $55 for adult dogs (6 months to 7 years) and $27.50 for seniors (7 years and older).

For our feline friends, we have extended our "$25 for a Lifetime of Love" adoption promotion. ALL cats and kittens can be adopted for a very special fee of just $25. In conjunction with the special, we're having a "Double the Love" promotion: Adopt one cat for the $25 fee, and the fee will be waived for the second cat.

All adoption fees include spay/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; sample bag of food; discounts at local pet supply, grooming and boarding partners; and behavior support for dogs and cats for lifetime of animal.

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, call (760) 888-2247.