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PAWmicon Returns in Full Tail-Wagging Force This July!

 Rancho Santa Fe, CA (June 16, 2021) – Each year, Helen Woodward Animal Center orphan pets unite to celebrate the spectacular feats of superhero adopters with the annual Pop Culture-themed Dog Cosplay spectacle – PAWmicon.  The adorable event, which pays homage to Comic-Con International, went virtual for the last two years due to pandemic restrictions.   Now, PAWmicon is gearing up to return in full tail-wagging force at a brand-new location with plenty of space and activities for Superfuzzies big and small.  Helen Woodward Animal Center and Blue Buffalo bring you the 10th Annual PAWmicon, presented by Fetch by The Dodo.  The beloved event will be held on Sunday, July 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Town & Country Resort in Hotel Circle, located at 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108.

Helen Woodward Animal Center initiated PAWmicon in 2012 based on an observed parallel between orphan pets and Comic-Con attendees.  While comic book enthusiasts wait all year for Comic-Con International, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite action-adventure stars, orphan dogs and cats at Helen Woodward Animal Center will wait a lifetime to meet their superheroes – individuals with one sole mission…to rescue an orphan pet.  Planned as a cute adoption gimmick, the promotion drew the attention of fans and animal-lovers across the city, eventually blossoming into an annual event that has grown in pup-ularity and gained global attention with each passing year.

 

 

 

2019’s event surpassed all expectations set in a new location – at the Comic-Con Museum, but pandemic restrictions, moved PAWmicon on-line in 2020 and 2021.  In partnership with the Comic-Con Museum, PAWmicon’s 2020 schedule included a virtual lineup of family-friendly events including panel discussions and interviews; access to an on-line PAWmicon vendor village; on-line book readings for kids with Center critters; access to augmented and web virtual reality experiences; on-line trivia rounds; an on-line PAWSplay Photo Contest and more.

In 2021, Comic-Con International offered a July, on-line virtual experience, entitled Comic-Con @ Home, including a line-up of discussion panels featuring celebrity guests.  Helen Woodward Animal Center was delighted to be accepted into the line-up with a panel focused on Animals in Graphic Novels and Games which featured Chris Ryall, Partner of Syzygy Publishing and former President & Publisher/ Chief Creative Officer at IDW Publishing, and writer/director/producer Keith Arem, CEO and president of Los Angeles-based PCB Productions.  The panel was a fascinating look at the unique and special qualities that animals bring to the world of superheroes.

 

 

 

Now Helen Woodward Animal Center is delighted to welcome pets and people back to PAWmicon for some nose-to-nose, meet-and-greet action. This family-friendly event encourages attendees to grab their canine sidekick and celebrate with themed photo experiences, music, games and activities for kids, Comic and Pop Culture Trivia, opportunity drawings, a BARKetplace & Artist Showcase, an AR Scavenger Hunt powered by Omniscape and more.  The highlight of the event is the all-important PAWSplay Contest for superheroes and their heroic dogs, sponsored by Trusted Housesitters.  The PAWSplay Contest is separated into five fun categories including Superheroes, Super Villains, Pop Culture Pups, Cartoon Canines and Dynamic Duos – for those who want to dress up alongside their fuzzy family member or have multiple dogs in costume.

Tickets to PAWmicon can be purchased for $15 per adult and $5 per child.  PAWsplay Costume Contest entries are $20 per pup and a Trivia Contest entry is $10 per person.  A 2022 limited-edition PAWmicon t-shirt can be purchased for $20.  Special $25 VIP tickets include early entry and a commemorative t-shirt. Get tickets here: www.animalcenter.org/pawmicon2022.

 

 

Proceeds from PAWmicon ticket sales and PAWSplay Contests, all support Helen Woodward Animal Center pets and programs.At its core, this unique event has one life-saving mission:  To inspire individuals to perform a superhero action of their own and adopt an orphan pet.   Upon adoption, these furry sidekicks will quickly reveal their own superhero abilities to save us right back.

Grab your snuggley superhero and the whole family and head to PAWmicon at The Towne & Country Resort in Hotel Circle on Sunday, July 17th, for a celebration of heroes big and small!

For more information about PAWmicon, visit www.animalcenter.org or www.pawmicon.org.

 

Due to Hurricane Hilary, all  departments will be closing at 3pm today.  Stay safe!