Pet Parade in Balboa Park to Benefit Teen Project

Animals of all shapes and sizes--and their owners--will stroll Balboa Park on Sunday as part of a “pet walk,” a benefit for the Mid-Valley Jeopardy program.

As the name implies, the pet walk is a chance for people to gather at the park and walk their cat, dog or turtle while sponsoring the Jeopardy program’s anti-gang activities for teens, said Officer Fernando Ochoa, a staff director.

There might even be sneak appearances by pet llamas and pot-bellied pigs, he hinted. People who do not have their own dog to walk will be given a pet pebble to carry.

The day will also include a pet pageant with categories including cutest, ugliest, largest, smallest, best dressed and the ever-popular “pet-owner look-alike” category, Ochoa said.

Mid-Valley Jeopardy, a program run by the Van Nuys division of the Los Angeles Police Department, is designed to keep at-risk youths out of trouble by providing them with safe and fun alternative activities. All of the program’s $33,000 budget comes from donations.

At all Jeopardy events, “100% of our donations go back to the organization,” said Linda McIntyre, a Jeopardy Foundation board member.

Registration for the pet walk begins at 8 a.m. at Balboa Park, 17015 Burbank Blvd., Encino. There is a $15 suggested entrance donation. The walk and contest run from 9 a.m. until noon.