Five of our longest-stay shelter dogs recently made a special trip to the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden.
Accompanied by foster parents and volunteers, the dogs enjoyed the sights and smells of a new place while getting new profile photos thanks to Wren Louis Photography.
Raya, a 3-year-old pit bull, was one of the pups to join us for the photoshoot. This brindle mixed-breed pup has been in our care since February. It’s hard to understand why.
Although she can be a little shy at first, Raya loves people. She’s spent most of her time with us in a foster home, where she has earned glowing reviews.
Raya “knows all the rules of being a good dog,” said one of her foster parents. She’s sweet, gentle, and house-trained. Once she’s comfortable, she shows off her silly side, greeting you at the door with her favorite toy in her mouth and breaking into some pretty adorable zoomies.
At the Arboretum, Raya enjoyed exploring the Madagascar Spiny Forest, where she expertly posed for photos along the path.
We’re incredibly grateful to our friends at the Arboretum for welcoming Raya and the other dogs for this special morning. Dogs aren’t normally permitted on the grounds, so this was a rare treat to be welcomed to photograph some of our longer-stay dogs in such a beautiful setting.
It also gave us a fitting start to what is shaping up to be a very busy season at Pasadena Humane.
On October 10, we’ll return to the Arboretum for Barks and Boos, a dog-friendly event featuring food trucks, craft beer, activities for dogs, and plenty of room to explore the grounds.
Dogs are welcome on leash and in costume, and we’ll be there with some adoptable pups hoping to meet their new families. Proceeds from the event benefit Pasadena Humane and the LA Arboretum Foundation.
That same weekend, we’ll return to CatCon at the Pasadena Convention Center on October 10 and 11. As the event’s official adoption partner, we’ll have 200 adoptable cats and kittens in the Paw Promise Adoption Village, sponsored by NexGard COMBO.
The following weekend brings a very different side of our work into the spotlight.
On October 17, our fourth annual Wildlife Day will celebrate the wild animals who share our neighborhoods. This free, family-friendly event is an opportunity to hear from local wildlife experts, enjoy hands-on activities, and learn more about how we can peacefully coexist with the animals who live all around us.
And, of course, there are plenty of animals right here at the shelter hoping to go home with you this fall.
Right now, we’re teaming up with Hill’s Pet Nutrition for a “Home Sweet Homecoming” adoption promotion. Through October 4, adoption fees for all dogs weighing over 40 pounds are waived. Inspired by the excitement of school homecoming, the campaign celebrates the new beginnings of welcoming a pet home.
From Raya posing among the succulents at the Arboretum to hundreds of kittens at CatCon and our local wildlife taking center stage, these events may look very different from one another. But they all connect back to the same goal: creating a more compassionate and caring world for animals.
It’s going to be a busy few weeks ahead for all of us at Pasadena Humane. I hope you’ll join us at one of our upcoming events.
To learn more about upcoming events, adoption promotions, and ways to get involved, visit pasadenahumane.org
Chris Ramon is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane.