Sunday, October 18th from 1-3pm

Times Square went to the dogs for a fun-filled afternoon of canine camaraderie to raise awareness for Animal Haven’s Adopt-a-Pet program. WHEN: Sunday, October 18, 2009 from 1pm-3pm WHERE: Times Square Information Center located at 7th Avenue between 46th and 47th Street. ADMISSION: Free.

We humans may have to settle for the Oscars, but for our canine companions the biggest red carpet affair of all is THE FIFTH ANNUAL TIMES SQUARE DOG DAY MASQUERADE, presented by the Times Square Alliance. This canine costume contest, free and open to the public, was held on Sunday, October 18th from 1 pm to 3 pm.  The Dog Day Masquerade also raised awareness for Animal Haven’s Adopt-A-Pet program, which was on site to help animal lovers adopt a new furry friend.

Glamorous canine contenders of every kind strutted their stuff on the catwalk, flaunting the very latest in cutting-edge “woof couture”. Top prizes were awarded to the dogs whose costumes best evoked Times Square’s past or present.

THE CHAMP IS HERE!

Introducing the 2009 Dog Day Masquerade "Best in Show" Winner - Cookie as "Times Square Alliance Sanitation Worker".

RUFF RUFF RUNNER UP

Beatrice as "Miracle on the Hudson".

HONORABLE HOUNDS

	Ella as "Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors".
	Teddy as "Lobster in a Pot".

MR. CONGENIALITY

Cake as "Monkey".

Winners were selected by a panel of celebrity judges including 2008 Dog Day Masquerade champion Peanut, Animal Planet's groomer for Underdog to Wonderdog Ali McLennan and Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Tom Viola. Top prizes were awarded courtesy of Petland Discounts. Additional prizes were awarded to the runners-up, or “Honorable Hounds” and a special “Miss Congeniality” prize was determined by the participating pooches themselves.

ADOPT-A-PET

Dog Day Masquerade also served as host to the Seventh Annual Animal Haven Adopt-A-Pet Animal Haven is a no-kill shelter and sanctuary that finds homes for abandoned animals in the Tri-State area. Pets were available on-site throughout the event and the rest of the afternoon. More information on Adopt-A-Pet is available at www.AnimalHavenShelter.org.