Four-legged, Furred and Feathered Photos Feted
On Sunday, July 13th, the 9th Annual Pets On Parade Awards luncheon recognized the top pet photos from this year’s entries. Pet photo contest categories included: Large and Small Canines, Long-Haired and Short-Haired feline, Equine, Avian, Costumed, In Memoriam, and Wild/Other animal companions. Each summer the Pets on Parade Awards Luncheon draws more than 400 Coachella Valley pet owners with their leash-trained dogs. The popular event raises money for two area charities, Pegasus Riding Academy for the Handicapped and Animal Samaritans SPCA.
Pegasus uses its half of the proceeds for the care of adopted and rescued horses, while the money raised for Animal Samaritans SPCA is earmarked for their No-Cost Spay & Neuter program, which serves low income pet owners, and funds the free alteration of feral cats. Last year Animal Samaritans SPCA spayed & neutered an astonishing 8,759 animals. With the influx of new families moving to our Desert communities, the need to control animal overpopulation and stem the tide of animal euthanasia is greater than ever.
Incorporated in 1982, Pegasus is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit serving the needs of the handicapped. Its mission is to provide medically approved full body range of motion exercise on horseback, called equine therapy, to handicapped children and adults of all ages and with all types of disabilities. Exercise therapy is provided at no cost to other organizations serving the needs of the handicapped, Riverside County Office of Education Handicapped Classrooms, Desert Sands Unified School District Special Education Classes and home care disabled persons.
Animal Samaritans SPCA, a 501 (c) 3 founded in 1978, is committed to improving the lives of animals and people. As the Coachella Valley ’s lead animal welfare organization, a primary aim is to eliminate the euthanasia of adoptable animals. Programs and services in place to save the lives of healthy and treatable animals include prevention through humane education; low-cost and no-cost spay and neuter; low-cost vaccinations; mircochipping, animal sheltering and pet adoptions. We also provide Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) services to area hospitals, nursing homes, special needs classrooms & facilities, and Juvenile Hall. More information is available by calling 760-343-3216 and by visiting www.animalsamaritans.org
