News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 4, 2014

Santa Paws Festival

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Savanna Barbee
Event Coordinator
985-817-1649
sbarbe5@lsu.edu

Celebrate Christmas with a Cause

Adoption and Fundraising event for CAA

Baton Rouge. Nov. 4, 2014 Just hear those pet tags jingling, ring ting tingling too, come
on its lovely weather for a snuggle together with you!
Companion Animal Alliance (CAA) will be holding its first annual Santa Paws Festival
on Saturday, December 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Louisiana State University Parade Grounds,
Baton Rouge, 70803 (across from the LSU Student Union; park in A, B or C lots nearby).
Dogs and cats from CAA will be available for adoption at the event. Dogs looking for a
home will be dressed as Santa's helpers and escorted by volunteers. Puppies, kittens and cats will
each have their own tent. Adoption prices range from $40 to $200, depending on size and age of
the animal.
Dogs love Christmas too, so why not donate Christmas presents for the shelter animals?
A donation tent will be set up on the union side of the Parade Grounds. CAA is in need of toys,
treats, blankets, towels, leashes, collars and cleaning supplies. In addition, monetary donations
will be appreciated.
Attendees are welcome to bring their own pets to the event. Throughout the day, there
will be lots of fun activities to participate in with your animals, including finger painting,
personalized ornaments and stocking making, agility courses and photo opportunities with Santa.
Photos with Santa will be available for pickup at the event and all proceeds will go toward CAA.

FOOD
more

People are encouraged to enjoy the many food and beverage venders offered, such as
Sammy's Grill, Walk-Ons, California Pizza Kitchen, La Carreta's, CC's Coffee, 3rd St. Pub and
The Bulldog. Pets also might work up an appetite, so several venders will be selling Christmas
themed treats. Additionally, Attendees will be able to enjoy a Christmas themed cupcake display
donated by Cupcake Couture at no cost.
STAGE EVENTS
Savanna Barbee, event coordinator for CAA, will be on stage periodically as the MC for
the event. At 11 a.m. a press conference featuring Barbee and a welcome from Beth Brewster,
executive director of CAA, will kick off the event. Entertainment will be provided through out
the day, starting at 12 p.m. with Bert Davis and the Muttley Crew. Bert and his rescue mutts are
known for reaching the third round of competition on America's Got Talent in 2010. Then,
promptly at 1 p.m. the presentation of 1,000 cupcakes from Cupcake Couture will begin. LSU
men's choir will take the stage at 1:15 p.m., followed by, The Gumbeaux Rouge Band at 2:00
p.m. Tom Play Music will perform at 3 p.m. and at 4 p.m. The Long Neck Society will close out
the event.
SHOPPING
The Santa Paws Festival is also a place to get last minute Christmas shopping finished.
Project Runway All Stars winner and LSU grad, Anthony Ryan Auld 's t-shirt designs will be
sold. Kendra Scott, Time Warp, Fleur De Leigh and Chatta Box Boutique are just a few of the
other venders that will be in attendance. Pet supplies and products will also be available for
purchase.

CAA is an animal shelter serving East Baton Rouge Parish and the surrounding communities.
The organization is dedicated to treating animals with the utmost care, decreasing the number of
animals entering the shelter, increasing the number of forever homes and foster homes, returning
lost animals to their families and promoting spaying and neutering. The shelter is open everyday
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 2680 Progress Rd., Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70807, less
than a mile away from Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport.

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