Time for Tails of Bakersfield

Yes, it’s that time of the year again, when The Bakersfield Californian asks the community to rally together on behalf of the homeless pets in our area and get some serious fundraising done. So dust off that digital camera, grab your iPhone or start scanning the Polaroids and get your pet(s) entered into the annual Tails of Bakersfield photo contest. 

Why should you participate in this year’s Tails contest? Easy --- the homeless pets of Bakersfield need us. The economy has put an awful lot of people into some pretty difficult circumstances these days, and when long-term financial hardship happens as a result of layoffs or families breaking up, all too often it’s the family pet who pays the ultimate price. Our local shelters function on perpetual overload during the best of times; these past couple of years have only exacerbated an already dire situation, as families who have run out of options find themselves turning in companion animals.

Your participation in Tails of Bakersfield will help provide much-needed funds for the organizations who take on the task of spaying, neutering and rehoming those pets still searching for a permanent place to lay their head. Even better, you get to choose which organization gets your donation; Alpha Canine, Bakersfield SPCA, The Cat People or Friends of the Kern County Animal Shelters Foundation. Though I am on the board of Friends, I can say with great confidence that any one of these organizations are an excellent place to show your support, as we all have the common goal of reducing the number of homeless pets in Bakersfield.

Plus, your donation will allow your beautiful fur-kids to be seen in the pages of The Bakersfield Californian. Who doesn’t want to show off their pets? I’m even planning to pop a couple of mine on the site. Like in years’ past, the donation is just $10 per photo. If you want you pet entered in the Pet Idol competition, it’s an additional $5 donation through August 1. This year’s Pet Idol contest winners will be featured in Bakersfield Life magazine in full-on glossy color, perfect for showing off to your friends and family.

Even if you’re not interested in seeing your pet in print, the Tails of Bakersfield site features a handy button for straight-up donations. I know our community prides itself on coming together in support of a common cause. Let’s do something spectacular and make this the most successful Tails of Bakersfield fundraiser yet.

Tails of Bakersfield Contest

You may enter the Tails of Bakersfield contest through any of the following means:

• Go to www.tailsofbakersfield.org and submit your entry online.
• Go to the Californian office at 1707 Eye St. Bring your photo and fill out an entry form. Photos will not be returned, so bring a copy if it’s a keeper.
• Email your photo to tails@bakersfield.com. Include your contact information, pet’s name, age and breed. Include one sentence describing something interesting about your pet. Photo will be entered when your donation is received.
• Mail your photo and above information with a $10 check ($15 if entering Pet Idol as well) to Shanan Mallard, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302. Photos will not be returned. Make check payable to one of the following organizations:

Alpha Canine

Bakersfield SPCA

The Cat People

Friends Foundation (Friends of the Kern County Animal Shelters Foundation) or FKCASF