ANIMAL FAIR SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEKEND.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

BURBANK - With a priest, a few movie and television stars, and a psychic all lined up to appear at the annual Festival of the Animals this weekend, organizers predict they've got a hit this year.

Scheduled on Saturday and Sunday at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, the festival offers fun for creatures great and small, with shows, contests and pet adoptions, including horses, dogs, rabbits and cats.

For the first time at the event, the Rev. Albert Bahhuth of St. Finbar Catholic Church will perform the traditional Blessing of the Animals at 1 p.m. Sunday. The blessing is a custom handed down from St. Francis of Assisi and also held on the Saturday before Easter.

``The blessing gives thanks to God for creating animals and what the animals have given us, such as companionship or help in cultivating the land,'' Bahhuth said. ``They are a gift from God.''

Festival vendors will offer such products as Bo Derek's new line of pet shampoos and conditioners for sale. Actors James Avery and Tonya Roberts, among others, may make an appearance.

Actors Rue McClanahan and Betty White of ``Golden Girls'' fame have been avid supporters from the beginning, attending past festivals, said organizer Joanne Asman.

And nationally acclaimed pet psychic Lydia Hibby will take a peek inside the family pet's past, present and future.

``The event is designed to bring awareness of all animals,'' Asman said. ``People can bring their animals, whatever they have, goats, chickens. It's an all-animal event. The only thing we ask is that all animals are on leashes or in carriers.''

More than a dozen animal rescue groups, including Rescue Me Inc., Rabbit 911, and the Glendale Humane Society, will be there to provide pet adoptions.

The festival couldn't have come at a better time, Asman said.

Attention recently has been focused on rescued dogs, both locally and citywide. In El Monte last month, about 200 dogs were rescued from an poorly run kennel.

In late July, 86 dogs were rescued from a Burbank home. So far, 48 of those dogs have been adopted, said Claudia Madrid, interim-supervisor for the Burbank Animal Shelter.

``We have no plans to put any of the dogs down,'' Madrid said.

Volunteers at the shelter will bring those dogs and others to the festival, Madrid said.

Another pet fair will be held Sept. 14-15 at Johnny Carson Park. Volunteers from the shelter will there as well, Madrid said.

``People come to these fairs mainly to adopt,'' Madrid said. ``We won't stop until we find the dogs good homes.''

IF YOU GO

--Festival of the Animals will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 Riverside Drive, Burbank.

The Blessing of the Animals will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is a donation of $12 for adults, and $5 for children age 5 to 12 years old, seniors 60 and older, and for each animal. Proceeds will benefit the rescue organizations.

For more information, call [phone].

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