Hey guys just wanted to pass this info on...It looks like a lot of fun!!

DOG AWARENESS WEEK
July 6-12, 2009


The River City Cluster of Dog Shows (RCCDS) and the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS) will collaborate with the City of San Antonio to sponsor a citywide “Dog Awareness Week” from July 6-12, 2009, to coincide with the RCCDS’ 5 days of dog shows being held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The purpose is to launch a public awareness campaign with emphasis on making San Antonio a “no-kill community” by 2012. We will focus on responsible pet ownership, increased adoptions, and aggressive spay/neuter programs. The highlight of "Dog Awareness Week" will be the appearance of Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, who will reinforce the message of responsible pet ownership with emphasis on the need to spay / neuter our pets.

We want to make “Dog Awareness Week” a successful venture! We are dedicated dog lovers who are willing to take the time to educate the public and to offer support in caring for their beloved animals during these tough economic times. They need to understand the need to spay/neuter their pets and the importance of reaching “no-kill 2012”. Most importantly, we need to demonstrate a unified approach from city leaders, city services, animal welfare organizations, the “dog community”, the media, and local veterinarians to provide a viable solution to the pet over-population problem….by working together we can help solve the problem!



SCHEDULE OF EVENTS


SUNDAY July 5, 2009 - -Kickoff event: “Sunday in the Park” from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Pearsall Dog Park (Off-Leash Park) in District 4:

A minister will do a “Blessing of the Dogs”
Councilman Philip A. Cortez will lead a dog walk with Chloe and Flash (Basset Hounds)
An Elvis impersonator will perform “You Ain’t Nothing But a Hound Dog”
A dog parade will join in the dog walk
A Dog Costume Contest will be conducted with prizes awarded
Free cold bottled water will be provided to all participants
ACS’ Chips mascot will hand out “No-Kill 2012” stickers to everyone to wear
A free basic dog training class will be held every hour
A Dog Agility demonstration will be conducted with Agility Training examples offered to the public.
Free doggy dental supplies will be given to all attendees.
Dog nail clipping will be offered for $5.00 per dog.
ACS will bring dogs for adoption at a discounted price.
Discounted rabies, vaccinations, and microchipping will be offered on-site
Animal Care Services will bring its spay/neuter vehicle and do free spay/neuters on-site
There will be free dog treats, dog toys, and dog food samples for all attending dogs
This is a Media Coverage Event to advertise & distribute spay/neuter vouchers to San Antonio residents

MONDAY July 6, 2009- - “Dine With Your Dog at Rob Cary Pet Resort—Hot Dogs for ‘Hot Dogs’”:
Humans and dogs will be served hot dogs, beverages and human/dog “cookies” for $10 each
Profits will be split between Animal Care Services (ACS) and Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (RPOA)
We will distribute Spay/Neuter Vouchers and “No-Kill 2012” Stickers

TUESDAY July 7, 2009- - “Lucky Dog Pet Adoptions”
Local Animal Welfare organizations will offer Pet Adoptions for a discounted price
All adopted dogs will already be spayed/neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated.
Each adoption will receive 2 free tickets to River City Cluster of Dog Shows
We will distribute Spay/Neuter Vouchers and “No-Kill 2012” Stickers


WEDNESDAY July 8, 2009- -“Dogs Rule” Pedigree Dog Food Kickoff Day
$2.00 will be given off on every dog show admission with a can of donated Pedigree Dog Food .
“Positively Pets” will promote Dog Awareness Week on TV
We will announce the winners of Pet/Owner Look Alike Contest from mySA.com
Senior Retirement Centers will be offered a Discount Day at the Dog Show
We will distribute Spay/Neuter Vouchers and “No-Kill 2012” Stickers
River City Cluster of Dog Shows (Day 1) begins at the Convention Center

THURSDAY July 9, 2009- - “Seniors Day at the Dog Show”
Senior Retirement Centers will be offered a Discount Day at the Dog Show
There will be Free Dog Adoptions for Seniors at Animal Care Services
Senior Dogs will visit a Senior Retirement Center (Villa de San Antonio)
We will distribute Spay/Neuter Vouchers and “No-Kill 2012” Stickers
The donated cans of Pedigree Dog Food will be presented to Animal Care Services at a ceremony
River City Cluster of Dog Shows hosts Day 2 at the Convention Center

FRIDAY July 10, 2009- -“Westminster Kennel Club Winner -- Stump”
Stump, a Sussex Spaniel who is the 2009 Westminster Kennel Club winner, will attend the dog show with his owners, Cecilia Ruggles and Scott Sommer. He will be available for photo opportunities from 10:30 - 11:30 AM and from 1:30 - 2:30 PM for a $5.00 donation to the "Take The Lead" Charity.. a charity that provides direct services, support and care for people in the sport of purebred dogs who suffer the devastation of life threatening terminal illness.

We will distribute Spay/Neuter Vouchers and “No-Kill 2012” Stickers
River City Cluster of Dog Shows hosts Day 3 at the Convention Center

SATURDAY July 11, 2009- - Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer, Guest Appearances
- -4:00 PM Press Conference & Award Prizes to All Contest Winners
- -4:30 – 5:30 PM Lecture/Q&A at Lila Cockrell Theater
- -5:30 – 6:30 PM VIP Meet & Greet in Mission Room 103
- -6:30 Cesar Millan will present Best In Show Trophy with AKC Judge
-
We will distribute Spay/Neuter Vouchers and “No-Kill 2012” Stickers
River City Cluster of Dog Shows hosts Day 4 at the Convention Center

SUNDAY July 12, 2009
We will distribute Spay/Neuter Vouchers and “No-Kill 2012” Stickers
River City Cluster of Dog Shows hosts Day 5 at the Convention Center

Contacts: River City Cluster of Dog Shows Website: WWW.RIVERCITYCDS.COM

Margie O’Connell
Board Member, River City Cluster of Dog Shows
(210) 653-8762
moconn1114@aol.com

Shirley Wills
Shirley Wills & Associates, PR Firm
(210) 822-2378 (210) 822-1838 (Fax)
shirleywills@stic.net