8th Annual Nuts for Mutts Dog Show & Pet Fair Set for May 17

PRLog (Press Release) - May 06, 2009 -
(Los Angeles, Calif...)  The 8th Annual Nuts for Mutts Dog Show and Pet Fair returns to Shepard Stadium at Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills, on Sunday, May 17, featuring something for every member of the family.  Highlights include a mixed breed dog show, pet adoptions, a fair with vendors selling everything from healthy dog treats to fashionable pet carriers, great food, live music, an online auction, kid’s corner and more, all benefiting nonprofit animal rescue organization, New Leash on Life.

Since its inception in 2001, Nuts for Mutts has grown by leaps and bounds to an annual attendance of thousands of dog lovers.  This year, hundreds of canines are expected to strut their stuff before a panel of celebrity judges in such categories as “Fastest Mutt,’ “Most Ear-resistible Ears” and “Best Kisser” leading up to the coveted “Best in Show.”  

Actress-comedienne Debra Wilson Skelton (MADtv) and Nicole Sullivan (King of Queens) return to emcee the event.  Celebrity judges scheduled to date include: actor/comedian Rip Taylor; Zoe Saldana (Star Trek); Sprague Graydon (24); actress Shirley Jones; Mark Thompson (Mark & Brian/KLOS-FM); Harrison Forbes (animal behaviorist/host of Pet Talk); Dawnn Lewis (A Different World); Charles Haid (Hills Street Blues); Ian Somerhalder (Lost); Vicki Roberts (Being Michael Madsen); Richard Blade (Sirius Satellite Radio); Keegan Michael (The Planet’s Funniest Animals); Lisa Joyner (TV Guide Host); Kimberly Caldwell (Idol Wrap); Johnny Whitaker (Family Affair); Muddy Stardust (group Stardust); Patrick Fischlero (Mad Men); Brett Delbuono (The Cleaner); Yeniffer Behrens (General Hospital); Jillian Clare (Miss Behave); Joel David Moore (Avatar); Hal B. Klein (Killer Movie); Cynthia Fox (Middays on KLOS-FM); Artist Knox (Beverly Hills Groomer); Dominika Wolski (The Vanquisher); Eric Martsolf (Days of Our Lives); Renee Simlak (The Bachelor); Jennifer Stone (Wizards of Waverly Place); Anna Friel (Pushing Daisies); Josie Davis (Charles in Charge); Lucy Davis (Californication); Mark Thompson (Fox 11 News); Taylor Spreitler (Days of Our Lives); Jorge Pallo (The Secret Life of the American Teenager), Ed Bernero (Executive Producer, Criminal Minds) Sheila Kelley ( inventor, The S Factor), Justin Stein (musician), Joey Luthman (Weeds) and Los Angeles City Councilmember Dennis Zine.

Founded in 1997, New Leash On Life has been responsible for spaying and neutering thousands of pets, rescuing and placing over 3,000 dogs, providing free educational seminars at local shelters and schools, setting shelter rescue priorities on “hard to place” animals requiring medical or special care, founding the P.E.T.’s program (Pet Educational Trainers), training and placement of Assistance and Therapy Dogs (Lend A Paw Program) and co-founding Partners for Life which saved hundreds at the East Valley Animal Shelter.  

Nuts for Mutts sponsors include Fox 11, KABC-AM, KLOS-FM, Petco, Petco Foundation, Animal Wellness, Hansen’s Naturals, Dog’s Life Magazine and Wellness Pet Food.  Show hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  Tickets are available in advance at www.nutsformutts.org or at the door for $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors 55 and over and free for children age 12 and under.  Dogs are $5.  To register your dog in the competition, visit the Nuts for Mutts website.  Plenty of free parking is available.  For more information, visit www.nutsformutts.org or call (661) 255-0097.