By Jenny Bowen, Communication Associate
San Antonio Humane Society
Alright, San Antonio, time to gear up for your favorite fundraiser party of the year, the El Rey Fido Coronation! You and your canine companion are invited to get an early kick off to fiesta as you party with San Antonio’s newly named royal pups. The coronation will begin at 10 a.m. on April 13th at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio on the River Walk and is free to the public. To really get you in the fiesta spirit, there will be Folklorico dancers from the DanzaVida de San Antonio Dance Company, along with a mariachi band to keep you moving to the beat. And what would a party be without free food and drinks? Well don’t worry, not only will a feast be provided for you, but for your four-legged companion as well!
At the coronation, El Rey Fido XI will make his public debut in style, as he always does, arriving at the Grand Hyatt on a Rio Cruise river barge. El Rey Fido will also be joined by his 4 Royal Court members who have all bested the competition by raising the most funds for the homeless pets of the San Antonio Humane Society. All will be recognized, but only El Rey Fido will be crowned by the reigning 2012 king, Sir Dexter Grof. And how can we make the coronation even better? How about a visit from a surprise guest, a member of Fiesta Royalty that you won’t want to miss!
El Rey Fido History
The San Antonio Humane Society’s El Rey Fido fundraiser began 11 years ago as a fun and interactive way to help connect the community with San Antonio’s homeless pets. The fundraiser is done in a “by the pets, for the pets” fashion; all donations are made to a doggy candidate and all donations go toward the care and shelter of the San Antonio Humane Society pets. For their hard work and tireless fundraising efforts, the top 5 canines are awarded royal titles at a coronation party, with the highest fundraiser being named El Rey Fido.
In addition to having a party thrown in their honor, El Rey Fido and the Royal Court become pet ambassadors during their year of service. They’ll make television and radio appearances around the city to promote the San Antonio Humane Society pets and mission and attend events to stimulate awareness about San Antonio’s homeless pet population.
About the San Antonio Humane Society
The San Antonio Humane Society is a non-profit, no-kill organization that has served Bexar County and its surrounding areas since 1952. They are not affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States or the ASPCA. Every year, the San Antonio Humane Society shelters, medically treats, and rehabilitates more than 5,000 animals that have been injured, abused, or abandoned until they are ready for adoption.
Through adoption, volunteer, foster care, and educational programs, the San Antonio Humane Society educates the public on the importance of responsible pet ownership, micro-chipping and spaying/neutering. In the near future, with the help of the community, the San Antonio Humane Society plans to expand their ability to aid homeless pets by adding a shelter medicine hospital to our campus.