Dia de los Muertos Memorial Fundraiser

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a deeply spiritual holiday rooted in the traditions of the Aztecs, Toltecs, and Nahua peoples, celebrating life, death, and the interconnectedness of all beings. It is a meaningful time to reflect on the joy pets have brought into our lives and the love and lessons they shared with us. In recent years, October 27 has become a day to honor and remember pets who have passed. The broader celebration runs from October 31 to November 2, when families clean cemeteries and create ofrendas, or altars, filled with photos, favorite foods, drinks, and cherished items to honor those who have passed. These lively gatherings include bright colors, music, food, drinks, and dancing, all to celebrate the spirits who are believed to visit during this time.

Friends of El Paso Animal Services will be creating Día de los Muertos altars at all three El Paso Animal Services locations — 5001 Fred Wilson, Westside Adoption Center at 5625 Confetti Dr., and Mission Valley Center at 9060 Socorro Rd. — to celebrate the lives of beloved pets who have touched our hearts and left paw prints on our lives. As we come together to honor those who shared our journey, we invite you to join us in raising funds for homeless animals still seeking theirs.

Make a gift in memory of your beloved and email [email protected] a photo of the pet(s) you would like to celebrate on our altar.

Please note, that November 1 will be the last day to get your photos in for us to print and share. We invite you to stop by any one of our three locations to see our Dia de los Muertos altars in our lobbies on October 27 - November 2.

We welcome those who prefer to bring an in-person donation on those days and place a photo or item on the altar.