Pets on Parade breaks records
'Pets on Parade' breaks records
• Betty Francis •
• The desert's largest and most defiant summer event celebrated its 10th anniversary July 19 by breaking not only the traditional rules of summer fundraising, but also some of its own records.
Pets on Parade raised major funding for Pegasus Riding Academy for the Handicapped and for the Humane Society of the Desert by publishing a slick, professional, 136-page journal of animal photos with loving messages purchased by hundreds of doting pet owners.
Additional funding came from ticket sales ($45 each), a huge silent auction, vendor sales, a live auction, raffle tickets and sponsorships by Palm Springs Harley Davidson, Palm Springs Life Magazine, Electric Car Distributors, Four Seasons Resorts, KPSP-2 TV and Azteca America TV.
Additional sponsors included The Estate Jewelry Collection, Bones-N-Scones, The Grand Paw, Jensens Finest Foods, Vons Palm Springs and Prime Time Produce.
Among the records set:
Largest-ever summer turnout: More than 500 people and approximately 66 pets.
Largest net profit for the past three years: $50,000 to $60,000 divided by the two charities.
Hottest temperature for this event: A predicted 116 degrees.
Pets on Parade was held at the Doral Desert Princess Resort, which set its own record for speedy, attentive luncheon service. Nationally-known TV star Arden Moore, assisted by Lori Carmen, gave delightful advice on how to have peace in a multiple dog-and-cat family, including the suggestion, “Give your dogs their very best, favorite treats only when cats are in the room — the dogs will soon be saying, ‘Here, kitty, kitty.'” Moore also praised Pet Airways (Petairways.com), a rapidly expanding new airline providing deluxe, main-cabin service to pets traveling separately from their owners.
Chairwoman Robin Montgomery thanked co-chairwomen Pam Green and Malinda Bustos, president of the Humane Society, along with Albeth Paris Grass, Gena Grossman, Virginia Davis and Gloria Nelson for their months of dedicated work.
Volunteer host Dan McGrath (EZ103.1) did double duty this year when meteorologist Patrick Evans (KPSP-2) was forced to cancel due to “a weather emergency.” Other excused absentees were journal chairman Harold Matzner, who is summering on the east coast, and the event's creator, Lori Sarner, who is at her summer home in London.
Isabelle, a Portuguese water dog, stole the show by pulling the winning raffle tickets from a basket and giving her owner Jennifer Hamilton a high-five after each successful pull.
Among those hosting one or more tables were honorary chairwoman Jackie Lee Houston and her husband, Jim, both of whom were also lauded for spearheading the drive to build the new F.I.N.D food distribution center. Other table hosts included Neal Boden, Paul Anoble, Ed Marteka, Harriett Kay, Kathy Wade and Ken and Madelyn Hinsvark.
Celebrity guests included Emmy winner Lindsay Wagner and Grammy winner Roberta Linn.
