Celebrate the bond between you and your pet at these holiday events offered throughout San Diego County. You can savor the joy of the season with your pet as well as spread holiday cheer for local animals in need.

The event prices range from free to approximately $15 (donations are optional).

Last year's Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade.

^{Courtesy of the Gaslamp Quarter Association}

Dogs and cats are typical attendees, but be ready to rejoice with a variety of pets from bunnies and small animals—such as hamsters and guinea pigs—to exotic reptiles and birds. Imagine you and your beloved pet mingling with dogs and cats of all different breeds and mixes, bearded dragons, exotic birds, iguanas, bunnies, guinea pigs or hamsters. You may even meet proud pet parents with their fire-bellied newts, horses or snakes.

Holiday apparel—for people and pets—is a guaranteed crowd pleaser and is welcomed by all of the event hosts.

Here’s where you can check out the fun:

Event Host: Coronado Chamber of Commerce

Coronado Christmas Parade, Winter Holiday Party, Open House and Snow Mountain

Friday, Dec. 3, 3 to 8 p.m.

Share the merriment on Coronado Island with your pet at the Coronado Christmas Parade, Winter Holiday Party, Open House and Snow Mountain Event. In the past, a mixture of pets has attended such as dogs, cats and exotic birds. The K-9 Mayor of Coronado, Patrick McP, may even participate in the parade this year. Paws of Coronado supporters dressed in official t-shirts will participate in the parade. You and your pet can watch the parade while showing support for this organization that finds homes for stray, abandoned and surrendered animals in a timely manner.

Coronado Chamber of Commerce: 619-435-9260

Paws of Coronado: 619-437-0220 or 619-437-4290

Event Host: Escondido Humane Society

Pet Photos with Santa and Holiday Boutique

Saturday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Santa himself will be making a special visit to the Escondido Humane Society (EHS) to bring cheer to pets and animals in need at the Pet Photos with Santa and Holiday Boutique. Whether naughty or nice, all pets can meet and have their photo taken with Santa. For a $10 donation to EHS, you will receive a keepsake 4x6 photo. For an additional $10, you can receive a CD with the digital files.Those who don't have pets but still want support to homeless animals can stop by the Holiday Boutique and Bake Sale, where gifts for dogs and cats and homemade presents for pets and people will be available. Appointments can be made by calling 760-888-2235, but walk-ins and wag-ins are welcome.

3450 East Valley Parkway

Escondido: 760-888-2275 (main line)

Event Host: City of Encinitas

Encinitas Holiday Parade of 2010

Saturday, Dec. 4th. Begins at 5 p.m.

Enjoy the festivities with your pet at the Encinitas Holiday Parade including the Tree Lighting Ceremony with Santa. Show support for the Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS). The RCHS and its volunteers will participate in the parade. You and your pet can watch the parade while showing support for this organization that helps the homeless animal population of San Diego County. The RCHS also offers the Animal Safehouse Program that helps save animals from domestic violence.

City of Encinitas Parks and Recreation Department: 760-633-2760 or 760-633-2740

Rancho Coastal Humane Society: 760-753-6413

Celebrate your pet with a holiday photo.

^{Courtesy of PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc}

Event Host: PETCO

Photos with Santa to Celebrate Pets

Over 20 locations in the San Diego area. Same dates and times for all stores.

Saturday, Dec. 4, 1 to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 11, 1 to 4 p.m.

Dress-up yourself and your pet in a festive fashion to celebrate the season with a keepsake photo with Santa. The photo package costs $8.95 (plus tax) and includes a holiday card and envelope. An array of pets are invited including dogs, cats, bunnies, reptiles, small animals (guinea pigs, hamsters, etc.), exotic birds and other exotic pets. You can also assist homeless animals through the PETCO Foundation’s “2010 Tree of Hope.” Each store selects different local animal welfare organizations to allocate the donations raised. For example, the donations raised through the “2010 Tree of Hope” at the Oceanside PETCO on Vista Way are allocated to the USMC Camp Pendleton Animal Shelter and the North County Humane Society. The Cancer Angels of San Diego, who help care for animals of cancer patients, receive the food drive donations. Check with each store for details and find a store online.

Event Host: PetSmart

Santa Claws Photo Events: Classic Holiday Photo on Santa’s Lap

Over 20 locations in the San Diego area. Same dates and times for all stores.

Saturday, Dec. 4 and Sunday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 11 and Sunday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pet parents and their pets are invited to join in the festivities for this holiday event. Not only will you enjoy the classic photo of your pet on Santa’s lap, but you will help to save the lives of homeless pets as $5 from every photo package will be donated to animal welfare organizations. The photo package is $9.95 for PetPerks members and $10.95 for non-members and includes a photo with the family pet in a collective holiday frame. Numerous varieties of pets are welcomed including dogs, cats, bunnies, reptiles, small animals (guinea pigs, hamsters, etc.), exotic birds and other exotic pets. Check with each store for details and find a store online.

Event Host: San Diego Humane Society and SPCA

Winter Holiday Doggie Café

Friday, Dec. 10, 6 to 8 p.m.

Holiday and winter-themed photos with your pet will be available for $5 each at the Winter Holiday Doggie Café. Listen to live music and have fun socializing with other pet owners and their dogs while you practice teaching your dog how to be calm around distractions like people, other dogs and food. Dogs should be friendly and on-leash and only one dog is allowed per human handler. In order to attend, dogs should be at least 4 months old and up-to-date on all vaccines, including rabies. Beverages, sandwiches, salads and more will be available for purchase. Complimentary desserts and dog treats provided. Behavior and training specialists will be on-hand to answer any training questions. A $10 donation is suggested for the event. RSVP on-line or by calling 619-299-7012 ext. 2230. Cat and kitten adoption fees are waived during the holiday season until Dec. 31st.

5500 Gaines St.

San Diego: 619-299-7012 (main line)

Costume winners at last year's Gaslamp

Holiday Pet Parade.

^{Courtesy of the Gaslamp Quarter Association}

Event Host: Gaslamp Quarter Association and Downtown Ace Hardware

Third Annual Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade

Sunday, Dec. 12th. Day-of-event registration will begin at 1 p.m. and the parade will begin promptly at 3.

San Diego pets and owners are invited to dress up in their favorite costumes for a special promenade throughout the Gaslamp Quarter to celebrate the holiday season at the Third Annual Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade. You and your pet can choose to enter one of the following contests: Best Pet Costume; Best Human Costume; Best of Show-Human/Pet Costume Duo; or Chairman’s Award – Too Cute for Words. Pre-registration is encouraged, as a limited number of entries are allowed. A diverse crowd of pets have joined in the fun of past parades including fire-bellied newts, Clydesdale horses, bearded dragons, bunnies, and of course, all kinds and mixes of dogs and cats. As part of the event, the Pet Expo in Hilton Park will be open throughout the afternoon.

Gaslamp Quarter Association (downtown San Diego): 619-233-5227

Event Host: Helen Woodward Animal Center

Iams Home 4 the Holidays and Helen Woodward Animal Center Pet Adoption Drive

Adoption Drive in progress and runs until Monday, Jan. 3, 2011

Holiday shopping and pet adoptions at the Rancho Santa Fe Farmer’s Market

Every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you’re interested in adding a new member to your family this holiday season, the Helen Woodward Animal Center (HWAC) offers the Iams Home 4 the Holidays Pet Adoption Drive. The goal is to encourage families to save the lives of shelter animals by adopting their pets from animal shelters and rescue groups and to take business away from puppy mills and backyard breeders. In its first 11 years, the drive has grown to include hundreds of groups in numerous countries and has matched overfour million orphaned pets with their new families. The Helen Woodward Animal Center believes that animals have no national borders. The goal this year is to find loving, lifelong families for 1.5 million orphaned pets. Help support the HWAC by doing some of your holiday shopping at the Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market. This farmer’s market is sponsored by the Helen Woodward Animal Center. A portion of purchases made go directly to helping orphaned animals. Every Sunday you can pet and interact with adoptable dogs at the market.

Helen Woodward Animal Center, Rancho Santa Fe: 858-756-4117