Pig News

Happy St. Pitty's Week! The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter takes this week every year to bring special attention to so-called "pit bull" type dogs, who often get over-looked or even actively refused as pets or companions, simply because of their appearance. Case in point: Pearl, this week's Pet-of-the-Week. She's a beautiful, pale blue-eyed Pearl is a little shy when she first meets you and when she first arrives in a new environment. But with just a little time, she really blossoms and warms up! 

Found as a stray just before Valentine's Day and not reclaimed, Pearl is a sweet, super-affectionate and devoted dog who loves to be with the people she gets to know - crawling up into laps and giving plenty of kisses! She's a physically affectionate dog who will likely follow you room to room and who takes cuddle time pretty seriously! She forms deep bonds will be happiest if she has plenty of opportunities to be physically close, snuggly and demonstratively affectionate with her people. She's quickly become a favorite of the shelter's dog volunteers because she's not only beautiful but cheerful, playful and loving, too!

To go with St. Pitty's Week, here are the events the shelter has lined up:

Capitola Classic Skateboarding Contest
Saturday, March 14, 8am - 7pm at Capitola Mall in the old Sears building
The Santa Cruz Board Room builds out a full indoor skating exhibition space and HUNDREDS come to compete! Raffle proceeds and a portion of entry fees benefit Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.

St. Pittie's Party Events - 10th year celebrating "the lick of the Irish"!
March 11-17, 2026
-$50 adoption fees for all pit bulls and pit bull mixes
-Special St. Pittie's Day merchandise is for sale at the Shelter
-St. Pittie's Day Pint 16 oz commemorative "beer can" glasses are available for $20 at 17 pubs, breweries and gathering places around the County as a fundraiser for the Shelter, and several will host special events - some with adoptable dogs on hand to meet!

El Vaquero Winery
2901 Freedom Blvd., Corralitos
Thursday, March 12; 7-9pm
Dog, Cat, and Irish themed Trivia Night with Michael Gaither

Steel Bonnet Brewing Company
20 Victor Square, Scotts Valley
Friday, March 13; 5:30-7:30 pm
Stand up Comedy hosted by Nic Trevino

Beer Thirty Bottle Shop & Pour House
2504 S. Main Street, Soquel
Saturday, March 14; 11am-11pm
*featuring free portraits for pit bulls & pittie mixes 11am-2pm

Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
103 Kennedy Drive, Capitola
Sunday, March 15; 1-5pm

Venus Spirits Tasting Room
200 High Road, Santa Cruz
Tuesday, March 17; 4-7pm

For more info about Pearl and this week's shelter events, listen to Pet-O-Rama at 11am Thursdays here on the pig or visit the shelter, located at 1001 Rodriguez St. in Santa Cruz and open from 11am to 6pm every day.

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