One of the most rewarding things about Pasadena Humane’s participation in the Rose Parade is that we developed so many new relationships that have resulted in increased adoptions.
Since the parade, we have had a big uptick in animals finding new homes, including Lua, the adoptable dog featured on our float.
Adoptions typically slow down in January, rather than increasing, so we are thrilled!
We had adoptions leading up to the parade, too, including Moonpie who was adopted by Alex McNulty, the Tournament of Roses’ manager of member services. Alex fell in love with Moonpie when we took several pups to the Tournament House for Rose Court tryouts in September.
Also, just days before the parade, Gretchen, now Georgie, was adopted by Ella Beyer. Ella is the talented young Los Angeles College of Music student who penned the theme song “Feed the Love” for our 2024 Rose Parade float.
The song’s official debut was especially memorable for me, as it took place at the shelter for an audience of canine music aficionados.
In preparation for the Rose Parade, our shelter pups walked in their own parade. The dogs, wearing rose-adorned collars, strutted across our play yard to the tune of Ella playing “Feed the Love.”
At the end of the route, they enjoyed a kibble “float” courtesy of our float sponsor, Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
Ella’s parents, Deborah and Dave, attended the event, with Dave joining in on percussion.
I learned that Ella’s parents are longtime dog adopters and they love big dogs, especially chows.
Ella shared that she was considering adopting a dog of her own. She had lost her childhood dog a year earlier, and the family was finally ready to bring home a new pup.
After her canine concert, Ella met with a few dogs available for adoption but didn’t find “the one.”
A few days later when she returned to the shelter to meet with an adoption counselor, Ella spotted a big, fluffy shepherd mix running around the play yard. She asked…
Read the full article here
