Fundraisers for Fido
Fiesta Fun Benefits Rescue, Therapy Organizations
By Camp Bow Wow
Fiesta – San Antonio’s biggest party also purposes to do good. More than 100 participating organizations will raise funds over 11 festive days to support charities that give back across the city. Just one representative of Fiesta “royalty,” El Rey Feo, has raised more than $10 million over the years to help local students pay for college expenses.
You might not be aware there’s a canine counterpart – El Rey Fido – who will be crowned along with his philanthropic pack on April 26. You can bring your well-behaved furry family member to Hops & Hounds, 1123 Ave. B., to enjoy the coronation fun at 10 a.m.
The feel-good event has raised tens of thousands of dollars annually for needy dogs and cats at the San Antonio Humane Society (SAHS). In addition to fundraising, the Canine King and Royal Court will serve as ambassadors reinforcing the benefits of spaying/neutering, microchipping, educating and adopting – the mission of SAHS.
The winner earns the title by being the pup who raised the most dollars during the competition period of September 2024 to March 27, 2025. El Rey Fido and the Royal Court will be fitted with crowns and velvet capes embellished with sequins. Titles include Prince/Princess of the Food Bowl, Duke/Duchess of the Chew Toy, Duke/Duchess of the Fire Hydrant and Knight/Maiden of the Royal Court.
Boogie, a one-year-old pug, was topping the leaderboard
in mid-March, raising more than $6500. She follows the
paw prints of her sister, Bou, who holds the 2024 El Rey
Fido crown.
A quick glance at the contestants’ fundraising pages reveals the benefits of rescue organizations like SAHS and the value of pet adoption. Five-year-old Staffordshire Terrier Jazz, who’s in line for Princess, shares a heartwarming story of her abandonment and rescue. Jazz was surrendered to ACS when she was 9 months old and suffering with a foot infection. Now a “tripawd” due to a leg amputation, Jazz loves attending Fiesta events, her human parent wrote. A social dog who loves meeting new people and dogs, “her sweet and loving personality wins hearts everywhere she goes” and spreads positive awareness of her Bully Breed. Jazz is literally alive due to the efforts of rescue organizations and is happy to support the San Antonio Humane Society. Find more stories at
https://sahumane.org/el-rey-fido.
Another likely Prince, Grizzley, the Giant Bear, doubles down on doing good. Not only is he in the running as second place fundraiser pup for SAHS, Grizzley serves as a certified therapy dog through Therapy Animals of San Antonio. Grizzley brings “pawsitive vibes” and cuddles to people at hospitals, schools and on military bases, his pup parent wrote.
Therapy Animals of San Antonio sponsors its own Fido-friendly Fiesta event, the Pooch Parade, held this year on Saturday, May 3. In its 26th year, the Pooch Parade also includes royalty – current King AnBarKio Bacon will continue his reign, with Teddy earning the King in Waiting spot. A canine costume contest at 8 a.m. kicks off the festivities. You and your pup can compete for Top Dog, Most Creative, Most Patriotic, Best Fiesta Flair, Best Matched Human and Animal and Best in Show.
More than 1000 people are expected to enjoy the family-friendly fun, watching dog-themed demonstrations, enjoying treats from food trucks or walking the 2.5-mile parade route that starts at the Alamo Heights Pool House at 9:30 a.m. There’s even a short-cut for those who might not be able to make the entire course. Water stops and treat stations are available along the way. Best of all, proceeds support the mission of bringing people and animals together for healing. Find out more at https://therapyanimalssa.org.
If you plan to bring your furry family members to join the festivities, make sure they are on a leash and have good crowd manners. Whether competing for prizes or cheering the parade, you and Fido can support these worthwhile canine causes while getting your Fiesta on.
