Pasadena Humane alums pose with classic cars at the San Marino Motor Classic in Lacy Park. This annual dog-friendly event benefits the animals at Pasadena Humane. Our Wiggle Waggle Wagon will be there this Sunday, Aug. 25, with adoptable dogs. Get your tickets at the door or purchase online in advance for a discount! Learn more at sanmarinomotorclassic.com

This weekend, I’m headed to one of my favorite annual events — the San Marino Motor Classic. The event is a highlight of the year for 150 of Pasadena Humane’s staff and volunteers who look forward to helping facilitate the premier automobile showcase.

Pasadena Humane is fortunate to be one of the non-profit beneficiaries. The San Marino Motor Classic has donated more than $1.2 million to our organization over the past 12 years.

Like me, I imagine many of the participants from Pasadena Humane started volunteering at the Classic because of their love for animals. But, they continue to come back year after year because they’ve fallen in love with the cars.

The first time I attended the San Marino Motor Classic was 5 years ago, the day before I officially started my position at Pasadena Humane. As if I needed further reminding, it became obvious I was not in Virginia anymore.

I was dazzled by the spectacular display of hundreds of classic and collector automobiles spread throughout San Marino’ Lacy Park. And, I was star-struck by meeting car aficionado and former late-night TV host, Jay Leno.

Mr. Leno was kind enough to pose for a photo with a pup from Pasadena Humane. Blue’s newfound celebrity status helped him quickly find a new home after having been overlooked for months in the shelter.

The San Marino Motor Classic is dog friendly, making it a great way to spend the day with your pup. Or you can bring a new pet home.

As always, our 35 ft. mobile adoption RV, the “Wiggle Waggle Wagon,” will be onsite with adoptable dogs. The Waggin’, as we affectionately call it, is hard to miss. It towers high above the classic cars, adorned with larger-than-life animal photos.

A feat of automotive ingenuity of its own, this mini shelter and billboard on wheels safely transports adoptable dogs (and sometimes cats and critters) to offsite events in our community every weekend.

Longtime Pasadena Humane staff member Marlin Miller is at the helm of our mobile shelter. For the past 14 years, Marlin has combined his love of driving large vehicles with his passion for connecting homeless pets with new families.

Marlin is joined by a group of dedicated mobile adoption volunteers, many of whom have been volunteering for more than a decade. Mary Ann Ortolano is one of those incredible Waggin’ volunteers. She’s been helping with mobile adoptions since 2009.

Mary Ann loves to spend her weekends helping dogs find new homes. She especially enjoys giving the shelter animals a day outside of the kennels. She and other volunteers are able to learn more about the dog’s personalities and teach basic commands while introducing the dogs to lots of potential adopters.

The mobile volunteers are like family to Mary Ann. United in their bond to help shelter pets find loving homes, they spend most weekends together working towards a shared goal. As Marlin says, “It doesn’t matter about one’s age or cultural background; we are all linked by the same passion.”

Marlin, Mary Ann and the rest of the mobile adoptions team expect a busy day at the San Marino Motor Classic. Thousands of visitors will stop by the Waggin’ to meet the adoptable pups and learn more about the shelter’s programs and services.

The San Marino Motor Classic is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, August 25. Lacy Park, 1485 Virginia Road, San Marino.

Cruise on over and get your tickets or purchase online in advance for a discount! Learn more at sanmarinomotorclassic.com

Dia DuVernet is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane.

This blog post originally appeared as a column in the Pasadena Star-News on August 23, 2024.