Humans aren't the only victims of the mortgage meltdown, credit crisis and employment erosion.   The economic slump is also taking its toll on Fido, Spot and Rover.   As families lose their homes to foreclosure, the family dog is being surrendered to shelters or even worse, abandoned on the streets.

OK before you are quick to criticize these families, keep in mind these are people who are in such deep financial trouble they are unable to figure out how they can continue to feed both their dogs and their children.  Dealing with what to do with a pet may seem like the last straw in their trail of sorrow and affliction.  This dilemma is overpopulating streets and shelters with homeless dogs. 

These tragic and heart wrenching circumstances is what one local film maker, Jude Artenstein, was enlightened to while doing research for her documentary film-in-progress “Rescue Me.”  The documentary is about homeless dogs and the amazing people who rescue them.  The research for her film embedded Jude into a continuous awareness of the increasing homelessness of pets. 

While sifting through all the stories of financial struggle and adversity, Jude was overwhelmed with a sense of compulsion to do something locally to help the abandoned dogs in San Diego. 

Do something, is exactly what she did!

Her compassionate compulsion resulted in her successfully organizing the Doggie Street Festival, a celebration of our furry friends which brought together 35+ rescue groups and shelters with their adoptable doggies from throughout San Diego County and combined the educational side of responsible pet adoption with traditional festival fun like music, pet merchandise, and good eats.

Adoption saves lives!  In many cases adoption is merely one loving family picking up where one loving, economically challenged family left off.

On Sunday March 1, 2009 with the help of many volunteers, rescue groups, shelters, sponsors, vendors and media outlets the 2009 Doggie Street Festival was kicked-off.

The Day was an overwhelming success.  Over 5000 people came out to support and celebrate the goodness that dog’s bring into our lives. The joyous event not only highlighted the need to adopt but also the need to financially support rescue and shelter organizations. The festival also applauded and celebrated the many unsung heroes in the rescuing efforts here in San Diego – the compassionate volunteers who selflessly donate their time.  

Many dogs were adopted on the spot at the festival because many of the rescue/shelter groups brought adoptable dogs to the event.  Equally as important, many people celebrating that day were converted to loyal supporters of adoption.  Who rescued who? The unbiased and stubborn love that dogs exude has a way of changing, enhancing and liberating the human spirit. 

Well in case you missed the Doggie Street Festival last year, you will have a chance to get involved this year.  Jude is not finished in her campaign to create awareness and rally support of dog adoption…

The 2nd Annual Doggie Street Festival 2010 is Sunday, February 28

DON”T MISS IT!

You can make a difference in the lives of many dogs needing your support.  This year’s event will prove to bigger than last year which means there is plenty of room for your support in terms of time, influence, energy and funds.    

For more details visit the Doggie Street Festival website