Photo by jnj barrera at Flickr, used under a Creative Commons license

If you love dogs and are looking for some daytime Halloween fun this October, get to Belmont Shore in Long Beach for the 9th Annual Haute Dog Howl’ween Parade.  Last year, over 600 dogs dressed in their Halloween best and raised more than $10,000 for homeless pets.  So if you want to see Pugs sporting tutus, Labradors as lobsters, Chihuahuas as spiders, Spaniels as astronauts or Basset Hounds as princesses, then come out and watch (it’s FREE!). But if you think that you and your dog can make an even better costume, the entry fee is just $15/dog.

The event is organized by Haute Dogs, a nonprofit organization founded by Justin Rudd, an Alabama born community activist and a long time Long Beach area resident. According to their website, Haute Dogs is a “diverse and growing network of dog owners, lovers, educators, rescuers and supporters. Our common bond has resulted in a unique and lively community of folks who share some qualities of our favorite dogs: devotion, spirit and tenacity.” Haute Dogs organizes both the Howl’ween Parade as well as the Bulldog Beauty Contest and recently donated $16,000 to Long Beach Animal Care Services’ Spray and Neuter Program.

Photo by jnj barrera at Flickr, used under a Creative Commons license

So come out and celebrate Halloween for a good cause. The parade starts on Saturday, Oct. 31st at 2:30pm at 4900 E. Livingston Dr. Long Beach, CA 90803 (Livingston Park in Belmont Shore),  takes place on Second Street and lasts about an hour.