The 2021 El Rey Fido competition will kick off on November 2, 2020! Stay tuned for more info.
El Rey Fido Information:
El Rey Fido began in 2002 as a feel-good spin on the already long-established Fiesta Royalty title of a similar name: Rey Feo. But what began as a pun has since evolved into an annual fundraising competition that raises tens of thousands of dollars each year for countless needy dogs and cats at the San Antonio Humane Society (SAHS).
Who will be El Rey Fido XIX? The fundraising competition’s top fundraising dog will be bestowed the honor of the crown, with four runner-ups joining the Royal Court.
It all leads to Fiesta® San Antonio and the SAHS’s El Rey Fido Coronation, an official Fiesta® event, in April 2021 where San Antonio’s top dogs have the opportunity to be dressed in true royal attire (velvet, sequins, and all).
Don’t miss your chance to support homeless pets in your community and become a part of seventeen years of SAHS Fiesta tradition!
{slider Sign Up – CLOSED – Opens on November 2|closed}
Donate toward this year’s fundraising participants and help them become El Rey Fido XIX!
This list updates as participants sign up.
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F.A.Q
{slider Who is El Rey Fido (ERF)?|closed}
El Rey Fido (ERF) is the title bestowed upon the dog that raises the most funds during the fundraising competition. Four runner-up dogs join ERF’s Royal Court, and all five dogs have the honor of being recognized at the ERF Coronation (an official Fiesta® event) in April.
{slider What happens to the funds raised during the competition?}
All funds raised during the ERF fundraising competition are used to shelter, care for, and medically treat dogs and cats at the San Antonio Humane Society.
{slider How old does my dog need to be to participate?}
All dogs must be 6 months of age or older and up to date on vaccines to participate. For other doggie requirements and rules of conduct, please review the official rules of the ERF fundraising competition!
{slider Does my dog need to be an adopted shelter/rescue dog to enter?}
No, all dogs 6 months of age or older are eligible to participate, so long as they satisfy all requirements and rules of conduct.
{slider Does my dog need to be spayed/neutered to participate?}
Yes! ERF and Royal Court members are ambassadors of the SAHS and its mission. We believe spaying/neutering your pet(s) helps ensure every dog and cat born has a forever home waiting for them. For other doggie requirements and rules of conduct, please review the official rules of the ERF fundraising competition.
Please note: all ERF competition winners will be required to show proof of spay/neuter surgery, registered microchip, and current rabies vaccine at the mandatory meeting on Saturday, March 20, 2021.
{slider Is my cat able to participate in the El Rey Fido fundraising competition?} 
Please consider entering our cat-friendly Purr-fectly Fiesta Photo Contest! One festive feline will be crowned King/Queen of the kitty cottage. Find more contest info here!
{slider How and where do I raise funds?}
You have the ability to raise funds online (Click & Pledge), in-person, or through the mail via check. After reviewing the official rules and creating a fundraising page, supporters are able to donate online through participants’ fundraising pages, in person at the SAHS front desk, or through the mail via check. Please note, all checks must legibly indicate which ERF fundraising participant/dog they are donating to!
{slider Any fundraising tips or tricks?}
This is the time for you and your pup to get creative! There are plenty of ways to raise funds for the SAHS, these are just a suggested few:
• Be sure to provide plenty of pictures and information on your dog’s Click & Pledge fundraising page! This can include a mini-bio or a list of “Top 10” reasons to support your campaign.
• Utilize social media! Start your dog’s very own Facebook or Instagram fan page! Friends and followers can be easily notified and reminded to donate towards your dog’s campaign. Don’t forget to link to your Click & Pledge fundraising page!
• Send a personalized e-mail or postcard from your dog (or doggie campaign headquarters!) to your friends and family, and ask them to help support your mission to raise the most funds for the pets at the SAHS!
• Have a bake sale, a BBQ plate sale, or a rummage sale with all profits going towards your dog’s campaign to raise the most funds for the pets at the SAHS!
• Have an “election” or “campaign” party for your dog and provide access to a computer or Wi-Fi connection where guests can make donations to your dog’s Click & Pledge fundraising page.
• Start a collection at work with a donation box decorated with a colorful display of your dog’s photos!
• Make t-shirts, buttons, yard signs, or stickers emblazoned with your dog’s name or photo claiming: “I voted for the next ERF!”
{slider How can I donate to the participating dogs?}
Donate towards participating ERF contenders online at their fundraising page, in-person at the SAHS front desk, or through the mail via check.
Please note: all checks must legibly indicate which ERF fundraising participant/dog you are donating to!
{slider When is the ERF fundraising deadline?}
Online and in-person donations must be made and at the SAHS (4804 Fredericksburg Rd) by 6 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2021.
{slider What happens after my dog wins?}
If your dog is named ERF or a member of the Royal Court, you will be notified on Friday, March 19, 2021 at the contact number you provided when registering your fundraising page.
Winners MUST attend a mandatory Fitting of the Grr-robes meeting on Saturday, March 20, 2021, and the 19th annual ERF Coronation during Fiesta – on Saturday, April 17, 2021.
ERF and Royal Court members will participate in various media appearances and events as SAHS ambassadors, so we do ask that participants make themselves available during these times!
{slider When and where is the ERF Coronation?}
The ERF Coronation will be held at the historic Sheraton Gunter Hotel Crystal Ball Room, on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 10 a.m.. It is free to attend and open to the public. Well-behaved dogs accompanied by their owners are welcome to attend and festive attire is encouraged!
{slider Donation Information}
Donations are not taxed. The online donor site charges a credit card processing fee of $.35 + 3.75% for each donation. Donors have the option of paying the processing fee (which is tax-deductible) for the SAHS to allow more funds to go toward shelter programs. Covering this fee for the SAHS is not required. The total amount that the donor is charged will be counted towards their fundraising goal.
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Questions?
Please contact our public relations team at PR@SAhumane.org.
Special thanks to:
{slider Renee Spade Photography, Official El Rey Fido and Royal Court Photographer|closed}
{slider Cheryl Trevor, Mistress of the Grr-robes}
{slider Adam & Jenny from Magic 105.3}
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