Throughout September!! Pet Food Express is hosting its Virtual Pet Fair, California’s largest, pet adoption event and the pet industry’s first-ever virtual fair of its size with over 7,000 animals available for adoption!

Helen Woodward Animal Center is getting ready to celebrate the Center’s panel participation in Comic-Con International’s Comic-Con@Home with a full weekend of heroic adoptions and PAWmicon fun at the Center July 23 – 25!

Rancho Santa Fe, CA (July 6, 2021) – For the last eight years, Helen Woodward Animal Center orphan pets have celebrated the spectacular feats of superhero adopters by paying homage to Comic-Con International with a Pop Culture-themed Dog Cosplay event entitled PAWmicon. Now, for the first time ever, Comic-Con International is including the rescue facility in its virtual July programming with a Center-hosted panel entitled Animals in Graphic Novels and Games. The virtual panel discussion, set to premiere on July 25 at 11 a.m., features Chris Ryall and Keith Arem and is hosted by Robert Rice from Omniscape. To celebrate the premiere, Helen Woodward Animal Center is throwing a PAWmicon-themed Weekend including pop-culture-named orphan pets, giveaways, photo opportunities and the highly anticipated PAWSplay Costume Competition. 

Helen Woodward Animal Center initiated PAWmicon in 2012 based on an observed parallel between orphan pets and Comic-Con attendees. While comic book enthusiasts wait all year for Comic-Con International, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite action-adventure stars, orphan dogs and cats at Helen Woodward Animal Center will wait a lifetime to meet their superheroes – individuals with one sole mission…to rescue an orphan pet. Planned as a cute adoption gimmick, the promotion drew the attention of fans and animal-lovers across the city, eventually blossoming into an annual event that has grown in pup-ularity and gained global attention with each passing year.

2019’s event surpassed all expectations set in its new location at the Comic-Con Museum. Although still in prep for its official opening, the Comic-Con Museum hosted the event in collaboration with Helen Woodward Animal Center with hundreds of attendees and 100% of its proceeds going to the Center’s pets and programs.

In 2020, PAWmicon planning was well underway when the pandemic hit. Too beloved an event to cancel, the experience went on-line, in partnership with the Comic-Con Museum, featuring a virtual schedule of on-line family-friendly events including panel discussions and interviews; access to an on-line PAWmicon vendor village; on-line book readings for kids with Center critters; access to augmented and web virtual reality experiences; on-line trivia rounds; an on-line PAWSplay Photo Contest and more.

PAWmicon 2021

This year, Comic-Con International is staying COVID-safe, once again, delaying any on-site components until later in the year. However, a July, on-line virtual experience, entitled Comic-Con @ Home, will be available for fanatics of the annual festivities, including a line-up of discussion panels featuring celebrity guests. Helen Woodward Animal Center was delighted to be accepted into the line-up with a panel focused on Animals in Graphic Novels and Games which includes Chris Ryall, Partner of Syzygy Publishing and former President & Publisher/ Chief Creative Officer at IDW Publishing. Also featured is writer/director/producer Keith Arem, CEO and president of Los Angeles-based PCB Productions. The panel is a fascinating look at the unique and special qualities that animals bring to the world of superheroes. It premieres on Sunday, July 25 at 11 a.m.

To celebrate the release of this special virtual discussion panel, Helen Woodward Animal Center is dedicating the weekend of July 23 – July 25 to PAWmicon. Pop-culture-named orphan pets, Comic-themed giveaways and adorable photo backdrops for life-saving adopters will be available all weekend long.

On Saturday, July 24 at 9:30am, the fun really ramps up as the PAWSplay Costume Competition returns in-person, to the Center’s education pavilion. Those who wish to participate can sign up here: https://my.animalcenter.org/event/pawmicon-2021/e346864. The entry fee is $10 per pup and all proceeds support the pets and programs at Helen Woodward Animal Center. Cosplayers will serve as judges and be available for photo opportunities after the contest. A Comic-themed Kid’s Craft will be available for younger attendees and a Coffee Cart and Shaved Ice will also be on site for sweets and treats.

Limited-edition PAWmicon t-shirts will also be available online soon: https://www.bonfire.com/store/helen-woodward-animal-center/. Proceeds support Helen Woodward Animal Center pets and programs.

At its core, this unique event has one life-saving mission: To inspire individuals to perform a superhero action of their own and adopt an orphan pet. Upon adoption, these furry sidekicks will quickly reveal their own superhero abilities to save us right back.

For more information about PAWmicon, visit www.animalcenter.org or https://myz.animalcenter.org/event/pawmicon-2021/e346864.

For more information about the Comic-Con Museum, visit www.Comic-Con.org/Museum.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Helen Woodward Animal Center PR Director Jessica Gercke: [email protected], cell (619) 977-0999 Helen Woodward Animal Center Communications Manager Fernanda Lopez: [email protected], cell (925) 755-6369

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About Helen Woodward Animal Center

Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: www.animalcenter.org.

PET FOOD EXPRESS’ FILL THE FOOD BANK CAMPAIGN TO HELP STRUGGLING CALIFORNIANS FEED THEIR DOGS

Campaign will collect monetary donations to gift 100k pounds of nutritious, FirstMate dog food to pet food banks, relieving financial burden of necessary care for 100s of families

OAKLAND, CA (July 6, 2021) -- Pet Food Express kicks off its annual Fill the Food Bank campaign to help hundreds of struggling California families to continue to care for their beloved dog(s) with free, nutritious food and avoid surrendering their pet to a shelter.

From July 5 - August 1, Pet Food Express will collect monetary donations in its 64 California stores and online at www.petfood.express/fillthefoodbank to directly benefit local, pet-centric food banks, shelters, and rescues.

100% of the funds donated will be used to purchase and distribute 5-pound bags of nutrient-rich, FirstMate dog food. Pet Food Express has set a 100,000 pound goal for 2021 and will match the first 10,000 pounds of donated dog food.

“The food donated through our Fill the Food Bank campaign will help many California families burdened by COVID with financial hardships,” said Megan Kniepkamp, Community Outreach Manager at Pet Food Express. “As pet parents ourselves and passionate pet advocates, we understand the bond between a pet and its family. And during these trying times, it’s important that pet families remain intact for the well-being of all.”

Visit the Fill the Food Bank page at www.petfood.express/fillthefoodbank to donate; to locate the closest participating food bank, shelter, or rescue; and to share the campaign with friends and family.

A $10 donation gifts a 5-pound bag of FirstMate dog food to a pet family in need. All 20 program partners are low-threshold or open-admission organizations who are interested solely in the welfare of California’s pet population.

“Food banks are essential,” Kniepkamp continued. “They reduce the risk of a returned pet to an already over-taxed rescue and shelter system by offsetting the cost of necessary pet care. We want struggling pet owners to know that there is free help available to keep their pets fed, cared for, and with them at their home.”

The 2020 Fill the Food Bank campaign turned $210,000 in financial donations from customers into more than 90,000 pounds of high-quality pet food to benefit 17 partner organizations including food banks, rescues, and shelters throughout the state.

Pet Food Express is proud to support California’s animal rescue network through its Community Outreach programs such as its Kitten Season efforts. Learn more at https://www.petfood.express/community-outreach/, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Instagram and on Twitter for the latest updates on the Fill the Food Bank campaign.

ABOUT PET FOOD EXPRESS

Pet Food Express is California's trusted pet expert dedicated to helping pets live longer, healthier lives. Founded in 1986 by Michael Levy and Mark Witriol, Pet Food Express has reimagined pet care by focusing on the very best products. The company sells only what they trust to care for their own pets. From its variety of nutrient-rich foods like raw and fresh prepared foods and its high quality products like pet supplements to the extensive training its animal-loving customer service team gets and its neighborhood stores with pet wash stations and pet community support groups. The company has had continuously strong growth for over three decades by remaining focused on its passion and its purpose - animal advocacy. Pet Food Express has helped find forever homes for more than 23,000 animals through its 64 California stores or as host of the Bay Area Pet Fair, the largest animal adoption event in North America. The company is a committed partner to more than 275 non-profit animal rescue and shelter organizations every year, providing them with much-needed aid through fundraising, product donations, help recruiting and retaining volunteers, and adoption support. Named as a “Top Bay Area Workplace” for the last 9 years, the company's dog-friendly headquarters are located in Oakland, CA and are home to 200 employees. Learn more on the web at www.Pet Food.Express. Like them on Facebook. Follow them on Instagram and on Twitter.

CONTACT: Sarah Andrus | Pet Food Express | [email protected] | 415.624.5617

Throughout the world ‪on‬ ‪Thursday, September 26th, 2019‬, social media posts and candle lighting ceremonies will shine a light on the millions of homeless animals still awaiting adoption and encourage communities to opt to adopt to reduce the millions of orphan pets euthanized each year.

This month, Helen Woodward Animal Center will once again unite with animal welfare proponents and organizations worldwide for the 7th Annual Remember Me Thursday®.  Honored on the fourth Thursday of September, the campaign asks pet lovers and animal rescue groups to create an unstoppable, integrated voice advocating for homeless pets to live in forever homes, not die waiting for them. 

Grassroots candle-lighting ceremonies and a global avalanche of social media buzz will shine a light on the millions of orphan animals still awaiting adoption and encourage communities to opt to adopt and reduce the millions of homeless pets euthanized each year.

How can you tell summer is officially over? When you see dogs on surfboards in the California sunshine, raising money for one of our favorite animal groups! Sunday, September 8th it’s Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 14th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon!

Surf dogs can hardly wait to show off the skills they’ve fetched at the ultimate summer-closer. Helen Woodward’s Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon was the first-of-its-kind, turning ‘dogs on surfboards’ into a platform to raise life-saving funds and reminding the world that “man’s best friend” can do phenomenal things.

Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 14th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon, presented by Blue Buffalo, dives into action at Dog Beach Del Mar THIS Sunday, September 8th, 2019, from 8am to 2pm PST. 

There will be fun free kids activities all day, celebrity judges, Two VERY SPECIAL Surf Dog Hall-of-Fame Inductions, a freestyle surf contest with points awarded for creativity and MORE!

If you can’t be there in person, you can watch the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon unfold on Facebook by heading to https://www.facebook.com/surfdogsurfathon/ at 8:30am PT/11:30am ET

Come on down to Dog Beach in Del Mar! Sunday, September 8th, 2019 between 8:00am – 2:00pm. It’s certain to make some EPIC waves!

#ClearTheShelters returns! This nationwide adoption event that attempts to clear the shelters returns for a fifth year! If you or a loved one is ready to have a dog this is the weekend for you. Thanks to the sponsorship from NBC and Telemundo, adoption fees are waived, or reduced, at shelters during this special weekend. 

Muttville Senior Dog Rescue is joining more than 50 Bay Area animal shelters and rescues who will offer low cost or waived adoption fees on August 17 

This year is the tenth anniversary of Grouchy Puppy and that means we need to celebrate! A decade is a long time in human or dog years. Since supporting animal nonprofits has always been an important component of Grouchy Puppy, I thought it would be nice to create a new tote and send ALL of the revenue generated to Muttville Senior Dog Rescue!

Take a look at the very cute, yet practical, Baggu Canvas Tote and Crossbody Bag:

All Purpose Sturdy Canvas Tote and Crossbody Bag
by sfcaste

Every purchase of this bag for the rest of the year will go towards helping the wonderful sugar faces at Muttville. Each time you pull this tote out when you head to the farmers market, think of the pups. Use the crossbody feature to keep your hands free during vacation photos and sprints through the airport.

With every bag that is purchased know that a senior sweetheart has been helped. Visit our Grouchy Puppy store on Zazzle now and DOGood.

Thank you San Francisco Mayor London Breed for the new proclamation recognizing the positive influence of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. June 6th is now Adopt a Senior Pet Day in San Francisco!

To celebrate this wonderful occasion, come down to Rescue Row on June 6, for a very special happy hour adoption event from 3PMto 6PM.  If weekends are better, Saturday, June 8th, Muttville is hosting an adoptathon with extended hours from 10AM to 4PM. (Details below)

“Muttville represents San Francisco values at their best!”

Join animal lovers at the San Francisco SPCA springtime gala, Metamorphosis, on April 30th. Metamorphosis will be the first major fundraising event at their Mission Campus. 

Dig out your best duds and bring your dollahs for one of San Francisco’s favorite fundraisers! If it’s August that means Karl the Fog is on his way out to sea, and it’s time for Muttville Senior Dog Rescue’s annual gala!!

2018 SENIOR PROM is Muttville Senior Dog Rescue’s annual celebration and fundraising gala. The money raised at the (humans-only) event supports Muttville’s mission to create better lives for senior dogs through rescue, foster, adoption and hospice, and to change the way the world treats seniors. Since its inception in 2007, Muttville has saved over 5700 lives (and counting!) and found them loving, new homes.

Celebrate Muttville’s 2018 Senior Prom at the

SUMMER OF MUTT LOVE

a fundraising gala for
Muttville Senior Dog Rescue

*****

VENUE
City View at Metreon, 135 4th Street #4000, San Francisco 

DATE
Saturday, August 25th, 2018

TIME
6:00pm – 6:30pm
VIP cocktail reception for table sponsors
6:30pm – 9:30pm
Cocktails, dinner, and program
9:30pm – 11pm
After party with dessert, drinks, and dancing

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EVENT HERE

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

Next week, Helen Woodward Animal Center is hoping San Diego animal lovers will save their Burrito Monday and Taco Tuesday food cravings until Wednesday, when every Chipotle in the area will donate 50% of sales to this amazing animal nonprofit.

On Wednesday, Aug. 1, from 10:30 a.m. to close, every San Diego Chipotle restaurant will donate half of all fundraiser sales to Helen Woodward Animal Center when you mention Helen Woodward Animal Center at checkout!

Helen Woodward Animal Center Invites San Diego Animal Lovers to “Taco One for the Team” to Support Orphan Pets.

Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (July 26, 2018) – For the second year in a row, Helen Woodward Animal Center is delighted to invite San Diegan, burrito-loving animal enthusiasts to support orphan pets by simply enjoying a meal at one of their favorite restaurants.

“We couldn’t be more grateful to be a part of this incredible single-day fundraiser with Chipotle Mexican Grill to benefit people and animals alike,” said Jessica Gercke, spokesperson for Helen Woodward Animal Center. “The donations we receive through these fundraisers can do so much good for our orphan pets waiting to find their forever homes.”

Animal-loving San Diegans will be glad to know that all of their Chipotle favorite items, from burritos to salads to bowls to drinks, are included in the fundraiser. Half of the total purchase will be donated to Helen Woodward Animal Center. What a great reason to indulge in a margarita and treat yourself with queso!

EVERYBODY INTO THE POOL!*

It’s Muttville’s summer Adopt-a-thon party!

Summer lovin’ is yours – for free! The weekend of June 2 and 3 is our summer adopt-a-thon, when the adoption fee is waived for qualified adopters.

Come meet all the mutts and find someone for some beach blanket fun.

What: Summer Adopt-a-thon!

When: Saturday June 2 and Sunday June 3, 11am-4pm

Where: Muttville, 255 Alabama Street (corner of 16th Street), San Francisco

CHECK OUT THE MANY ADORABLE ADOPTABLE SENIOR SWEETHEARTS NOW

*Not an actual pool, of course. Many of our mutts prefer lounging to actual swimming. In fact, “doing laps” has a completely different meaning at Muttville.

The Petco Foundation is teaming up with Patrick McDonnell, the creator of the comic strip, “Mutts," to promote pet adoption and how “love changes everything.”

Throughout March, the Petco Foundation is collecting photos of adopters and their pets to compile into the largest mosaic mural featuring pets and their people EVER. The mural will be digital but then ultimately be created as an actual physical mural in NYC that will go live on March 25 at Union Square Park.

It’s super easy to participate and those who submit photos are eligible for DAILY prizes including a $100 Petco gift card, a signed MUTTS print, and a coupon for a bag of WholeHearted Pets pet food, PLUS a $500 grant award for eligible adoption organizations!

Here’s the link for submissions: http://love.petcofoundation.org/

Curious why senior dogs rule or do you already know and want to enjoy hearing very special songs and stories about senior dogs and those who love them? Get your tickets now for a wonderful concert celebrating San Francisco’s own Muttville Senior Dog Rescue!

What’s Your Story, Bay Area? is a concert by Bay Area songwriters telling musical stories about Muttville, senior dogs and the people that love them! You’ll hear a diverse group of songs based on the stories of Muttville’s adopters, volunteers, and staff and even some stories from the dogs themselves!

On March 11th and 12th, (Sunday & Monday) please join Fogg Theatre, Muttville and our dog-loving community for an exciting musical concert, “What’s Your Story, Bay Area? Muttville Edition!”

Come for a night of music and laughs!!

Over on Instagram we share adorable dog photos, and adoptable senior dogs, special dog-centric events and more. We meet sweet pups every week around the web, and across the Bay Area while out walking the streets of San Francisco. How can we not stop and share their sweetness with others?

There is something about these sugar faces that draws our attention wherever we are! Is it those come hither eyes? That aged to perfection face? The seriously adorable underbite? The impossible fluff?

Below are the nine more liked photos from our Grouchy Puppy Instagram account. We hope you will follow Grouchy Puppy on Instagram for a daily dose of adoptable and adorable dogs, or just serious cuteness to keep you smiling throughout the new year.

If you’re on Instagram, please share your profile in the comments and we’ll be sure to follow you back!