It was a fun-filled afternoon celebrating our own pet companions and raising funds to continue Actors and Others’ work helping animals in need.

We are deeply grateful to the Petco Foundation for their key sponsorship of the day, and were pleased to be the platform where a representative of Councilman LaBonge’s office presented a City Proclamation to Paul Jolly, the former Executive Director of the Petco Foundation (and our own board member), for all of his many years of work helping animals in the City of Los Angeles. (Actors and Others also received one, as well as a commendation from the new Mayor.)

Presenting a parody of the movie “Best in Show,” the celebrity guests competed against each other for the Blue Ribbon by showing short videos of their pet(s) and then taking to the podium to campaign on their behalf. “Best in Show” stars Fred Willard and Jim Piddock reprised their movie roles as commentators of the competition, observing and providing comic repartee on each entry. By a show of audience applause, the winning trophy went to “Maggie” and her guardian Bernie Shine, who wowed the audience with their nightly bedtime routine of washing Maggie’s face, brushing her teeth and flossing (with Bernie’s help).

The returning host for the event was Michael Burger, and in addition to Bernie Shine, the celebrity competitors (all winners to us) were Susan Sullivan, Ed Begley, Jr,. Tippi Hedren, Leonard Maltin, Chuck McCann, Allie MacKay, Jay Johnson and Ruta Lee (substituting for an ailing Connie Stevens). And once again the Four Plaids provided some musical interludes. Photographs of all of the pets featured in our “Photo Pet Parade” were shown on the two big video screens. Those photographs remain on our website today.

The 2013 Betty White Inspirational Award was presented to the Search Dog Foundation and the Awards of Caring went to Kathleen Riordan and Bonnie Garner for their lifetime of work on behalf of animals.

We thank everyone who made this day possible!