Dog devotees are invited to celebrate puppy love this Valentine's Day with a pair of notable newlyweds as The Vampire Diaries‘ Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed of the Twilight film franchise step into the role of Mardi Paws celebrity monarchs.
The couple will join ‘party animals' and their costume-clad canines as they promenade in a parade for a higher purpose– helping both people and pets in need. The theme for 2016 is "Love is in the Hair," which will focus on famous fictitious and real romantic twosomes who have captured our hearts. The dogs who don disguises can try to win prizes, with the tail-waggers who best interpret this year's theme taking home a prize basket complete with a ‘poop' trophy.
Both of the animal-loving luminaries often use their star wattage to shine a spotlight on paws causes, with Reed testifying at the State Capitol of Sacramento for The Beagle Freedom Bill, which would allow dogs and cats in labs the chance to be adopted once testing has come to an end; stepping in front of the camera for a PSA which called for an end to BSL, and most recently flying across the country to unite a dog she had fostered with his new forever family.
Louisiana native Ian Somerhander, who previously acted as a celebrity monarch of The Mystic Krewe of Mardi Paws parade in 2014, launched the Ian Somerhalder Foundation on his birthday in December 2010. This past year alone the organization distributed more than $110,000 in Emergency Medical Grants for the care of both our domesticated furry friends and those who walk on the wide side; initiated a campaign to help global efforts to end trophy hunting; celebrated ISF's second annual Meatless May campaign; launched the campaign Halfway to Home, which promotes fostering and the option of pet adoption, and much more. Proceeds raised from the 2016 Mardi Paws parade will help to further The Ian Somerhalder Foundation‘s mission. Other organizations benefiting from the event include Scott's Wish, the St. Tammany Spay & Neuter Group and the Miracle League Northshore.
When: February 14, 2016 Parade starts at 2 p.m.
Where: 140 Jackson Avenue in Mandeville, Louisiana
For more information:
- visit www.mardipaws.com
The following video from The Times-Picayune offers a look back at Mardi Paws 2014, with Ian Somerhalder as the event's celebrity monarch:
Photo Credit: Mardi Paws/Facebook
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