Will any of the AAPT donated Nutrabars be sent to these CHARITIES in Denver? Or are they just waiting for the $1 MILLION that Lisa promised them?
Cute-dog winner a champion for homeless animals Posted: 12/18/2009 01:00:00 AM MST December 18, 2009 1:24 PM GMTUpdated: 12/18/2009 06:24:08 AM MSTBy Annette Espinoza The Denver Postdenverpost.com "He represents every cute dog that has been adopted. He's going to save so many lives." Heidi Hahn of MaxFund, talking about Dr. Papidies, shown above with owner Leslie Capin. His $1 million prize for winning a "cutest dog" contest is going to MaxFund and the Dumb Friends League. (Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post)
Papidies Capin, a pint-size pooch in a red jacket and red-rimmed sunglasses, won a pile of dough in an online cutest-dog competition.
But the Parker Chihuahua's guardian says the $1 million prize will be used to help two struggling Denver pet shelters.
On Sunday, Dr. Leslie Capin will split the money between the Denver Dumb Friends League, a 99-year-old animal adoption agency, and the MaxFund, a no-kill animal shelter.
"I've given money to the Dumb Friends League, and they're doing a good job," said Capin, a Parker dermatologist. "The MaxFund doesn't have as much money. They're struggling, and hopefully this will give them a new start in life."
Thousands of dog lovers cast their online votes for Dr. Papidies during the contest, which ran about 12 weeks and was sponsored by All American Pet Brands, makers of premium dog food.
"We were thrilled and couldn't believe her generosity," said Dumb Friends League spokeswoman Kristine Vourax. "We're really fortunate people have a soft spot for pets. We really appreciate the gift."
The $1 million will be disbursed to the shelters over 30 years.
At the Dumb Friends League, which has cared for 25,000 homeless pets this year, the money will help fund programs such as animal-cruelty investigations, foster care, adoptions and animal-education classes.
"The money will help both pets and people," Vourax said.
An uncertain economy has dwindled corporate sponsorships of Dumb Friends League fundraising events, so the donation couldn't have come at a better time, Vourax said. "We need it now more than ever."
At the MaxFund, more people than ever are relinquishing pets as a result of lost jobs or home foreclosures, and related moves into apartments that don't allow pets.
The prize money will help out with "special case" animals who require surgeries or treatments outside of their agency, MaxFund officials said.
When MaxFund staffers at the 20-year-old shelter that houses 100 to 200 cats and dogs each month found out on Thanksgiving Day that the little Chihuahua had won the big prize, they were elated.
"He represents every cute dog that has been adopted," said Heidi Hahn, clinic director of MaxFund. "He's going to save so many lives."
Dr. Papidies was a gift to Capin from a friend who bought him after the death of Capin's blind, 8-year-old Akita, Pedro.
Capin was born in Tucson, and she was raised in Sonora, Mexico. She has cared for cats, dogs, snakes, birds, a turtle and even a chimpanzee.
She says she's excited to help animals out on a larger scale.
"I have a good family, the Colorado community has been fantastic and my patients have been good," Capin said. "I'm fulfilling a dream to help animals. It's a home run, man."
Annette Espinoza: 303-954-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com
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