Do you think your pet should be the next animal mayor in Coronado?
PAWS of Coronado, a nonprofit organization, has opened up its canine mayor race to all animals. The winner of this year’s Animal Mayor Race will serve a two-year term. The event is a fundraiser that helps support the animals at PAWS of Coronado.
“Valkyrie is the current resilient rescue dog that held the term from 2024 to 2026,” said Jackie Williams, executive director at PAWS of Coronado.
Through June 8, the organization is accepting nominations of any animal that lives in Coronado or has been affiliated with PAWS of Coronado through rescue. Submissions may be made via an online form at: https://form.jotform.com/paws_marketing/paws-of-coronados-animal-mayor.
The nomination fee is $50 per animal and candidates may begin campaigning once nominated. The new mayor will be announced on July 3.
“We would love everyone to participate by either voting, nominating an animal, sharing through social media the race updates,” said Williams. “Hopefully, the winner will be able to be in the parade on the 4th of July with PAWS of Coronado.”
Accepting all animal nominations
According to Williams, the organization will be opening the parameters of another fundraiser next year in search of an animal city manager.
Valkyrie, a one-eyed shepherd mix, is Coronado’s eighth canine mayor after receiving the most votes out of 15 dog ambassadors in the 2024 Canine Mayoral Race which raised over $25,000 for animal welfare in Coronado. She has held a ceremonial position in the annual Fourth of July parade.
Williams said the important position of canine mayor was transferred to animal mayor after PAWS saw an uptick in a wide variety of animals such as ducks, roosters, birds, bearded dragons, guinea pigs, and other animals in need of care.
“The purpose of this change is to open nominations to a larger pool of candidates,” said Williams. “As a fundraiser, the more participation we have, the more we can raise for the animals who depend on us.”
Williams said the facility is currently full with most of the animals requiring medical support.
Funds raised help cover medical care, including spay and neuter procedures, vaccinations, food, supplies, and other necessities to prepare animals for adoption, she said.
Important dates
The nomination period ends on June 8. Voting begins on June 9 and runs through 5 p.m. on July 3. The new animal mayor begins a two-year term on July 4.
Williams said the animal mayor will be announced on their website, Instagram and Facebook.
“It’s a very tight race usually,” said Williams.
To learn more, visit: https://pawsofcoronado.org/.
