Jesika von Rabbit Concert to Launch Woof!Walk Festival

The wildly popular “Woof!Walk” Festival fundraiser, supporting the program and operations of the Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter, will rock the Pioneertown Wild West Theater on Saturday, April 1, from 10 am to 1 pm. Famed local favorite, Jesika von Rabbit, will launch the event with a concert that will musically escort you through a roster of pet-themed delights that begins with the traditional and iconic pet parade down Mane Street. Rabbit and her bassist, Lee Joseph, both regular volunteers for the shelter, deepened their commitment to advocate for the shelter animals last month when they each accepted a seat on the Morongo Basin Humane Society Board of Directors

The Morongo Basin Humane Society, which operates the Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter, is staging the popular festival in the courtyard of the Pioneertown Wild West Theater, located across from Pappy and Harriet’s. A live auction will inspire bidders to wrangle for top prizes amidst a treasure chest of regional vendors. There will also be a silent auction of delectable gift baskets contributed by local businesses, organizations, and long-time supporters, including certificates from new restaurants making the local scene, as well as a pet parade including adoptable shelter dogs. New this year, the festival welcomes the Infinite Love Pet Photo Booth where professional photographer, Sandra Goodin, will create portraits of pets for a nominal fee.

Supporters can buy a Woof!Walk raffle ticket to enter to win $1,000, $750, $500, or $250. There will be four chances to win, but only 300 tickets will be made available. Funds raised will go, in part, towards the “Building a New Shelter” fund. A sneak peak of the planned new shelter and adoption complex will also be a highlight of the event. Shelter merchandise, featuring popular event hats, BB shirts, and hardy totes emblazoned with the new Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter logo will be available for purchase at the event.

To walk your best friend with other two and four-legged friends down Mane Street, go to mbhumanesociety.com/events. Sponsorships are available for as low as $250 and come with a variety of benefits to you, your business, or organization. Vendor application forms are also available online and are due by March 15.

There is NO CHARGE for admission. Follow the signs for free parking. Registration for the dog walk begins promptly at 9:15 a.m.

The Morongo Basin Humane Society, locally known as the Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter, was founded in 1972 and became a No-Kill haven for homeless pets in 2005. Support for the programs and operations of the Joshua Tree No-Kill Shelter comes from individual donations and fundraising events such as the Woof Walk. The community’s continued support is key to providing food, shelter, bedding, clean kennels and medical services for the care, nurturing and eventual adoption of homeless pets in the community.

All those interested in adopting or fostering a shelter pet are invited to view the available animals on the Shelter’s website at mbhumanesociety.com/available- pets. For appointments and other related matters, please contact the staff during business hours, Tuesdays thru Saturdays from noon to 2 p.m., at (760) 366- 3786. Get the latest information, details and updates on Facebook @mbhumanesociety, on Instagram @morongobasinhumanesociety, or send an inquiry to morongobasinhumanesociety@gmail.com or message MBHS on Facebook @mbhumanesociety.