Deck your dog out for the Helen Woodward Animal Mardi Paws Parade, 11 a.m. to noon Feb. 12 at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe. Photo by Jennifer Kennedy.

RANCHO SANTA FE — Helen Woodward Animal Center invites the public to its first Mardi Paws Parade.The event from 11 a.m. to noon Feb. 12, will be across from the administration building at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe is planned to connect center adoptables, alumni and revelers of all ages, breeds and creeds. Invitees are welcome to dress their well-behaved pooches in Mardi Gras-themed costumes and/or even parade their own floats (created from small wagons or pet strollers) around the center grounds.

You may even see HWAC sheep and goats hoofing their way along the parade route.

Attendees will sip on non-alcoholic Purr-icanes, compete for “Best Dressed Mardi Gras King and Queen” ($10 per entry) and take pictures against New Orleans style-backgrounds.

Kitty-lovers are invited to participate by e-mailing their best “Fat Cat” photos to [email protected] Photos will be posted on other social media sites and voted on by attending parade participants. First-place winner receives a night at Club Pet.

Proceeds from all Mardi Paws activities support the Helen Woodward Adoptions Department. To attend, or for more information, go to animalcenter.org/events/mardi-paws, call Helen Woodward Animal Center at (858) 756-4117, ext. 379 or contact Special Events Supervisor Regina Barrella at [email protected]

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