The fundraiser will feature animal demonstrations, pet contests, humane education, hula dancers and stars.
By Susan Reines/Special to The Malibu Times
Orphaned dogs and famous humans will take over Malibu Bluffs Park Sunday, as the nonprofit organization, Pet Orphans of Southern California, hosts its “Hang Paws” festival to raise money for animal rescue and humane education. The event will feature demonstrations by herding and Frisbee-playing dogs, celebrity judged contests in which local pets can strut their stuff, and question-and-answer sessions with professional trainers and veterinarians.
People are welcome to bring their pets and register them in contests such as “owner and dog look-alike,” “who’s your mama?” (unique dog), and “hang ten attire” (best beach costume).
The event will begin at 2 p.m. and the contests will commence at 2:45 p.m. There will be a break in the contests at 4 p.m. for the Pet Parade, in which dogs and their owners can prance through the park in step with the celebrity judges, who include Minnie Driver, Christina Applegate, Sara Gilbert and Jennifer Blanc. The second round of contests will begin after the parade, around 4:30 p.m., and the festival will run until 8 p.m.
There will be musical entertainment from folk-rocker Kiki Ebsen, whose 2002 album “Love Loud” garnered rave reviews, and from the Burke Wallace Trio and vocalist Amanda Abel. Hula dancers from a local Hawaiian dance school will also perform.
Pet Orphans will bring dogs to the event that need homes, and while it does not offer same-day adoptions, people can meet some of the animals they could potentially adopt. The organization will also be conducting the humane education classes it often brings to local schools, which teach children how to approach animals and be responsible pet owners.
Representatives of Ruff Yoga will show people how to work out with their pets, and a dog masseuse and an animal communicator will be there to provide pet therapy. In addition, herding dogs, Frisbee-playing dogs and canines from the top-rated Jump City Agility training center will show off their skills.
The organization, Best Friends, will conduct “good canine citizen testing,” in which dogs with easy temperaments can earn American Kennel Club certification to participate in service activities like animal therapy.
Trainers and veterinarians will be on hand throughout the day to answer questions and give advice. The vets will be performing inexpensive microchipping, the process in which a tiny chip is injected between pets’ shoulder blades to make identification of lost animals possible even if tags rust or collars rip.
Food, including vegetarian options, and drinks will be available for purchase.
The 31-year-old Pet Orphans organization rescues animals from overcrowded shelters where they face euthanasia. The organization then tries to match the animals with new owners.
Headquarters are in Van Nuys, but Pet Orphans rescues animals from shelters throughout the greater Los Angeles area, volunteer manager Erica Meadows said. Meadows said one of the hardest parts of the job is deciding which animals to save, because Pet Orphans can’t accommodate the entire overflow from area shelters. Animals from the most crowded shelters and those that seem “all-around adoptable” are usually selected, Meadows said.
Pet Orphans also provides services that help animals stay in their homes when owners are considering giving them away. For example, the organization might pay for medical care an owner cannot afford or provide behavioral training to fix a chewing or biting problem that has driven an owner to consider getting rid of a pet.
The event, which takes place on the bluffs at 24250 Pacific Coast Highway, is open to the public; tickets will be available at the door and cost $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for children under 12. Free parking with complementary shuttles will be available at Webb Way and the Pacific Coast Highway. There is a $25 entry fee to participate in the Pet Parade or a contest, although the Pet Parade entry is free for those who raise more than $100 in sponsorships.
More information can be obtained by logging onto www.petorphans.org, by e-mail to hangpaws@petorphansfund.org, or by calling 800.400.PETS.