Guest Contributor

To most Angelenos the idea of going without shoes means missing out on the latest design, not walking barefoot to reach necessary resources such as water or medical care. Tuesday, April 5 marked the annual One Day Without Shoes event where people around the world opted to go barefoot to raise awareness and funds for the millions of children that go without shoes every day.

For many impounded dogs, the animal shelters is the last stop on their journey between life and death. Separated by cold steel fencing and concrete floors, each dog awaits their fate. Although the dogs did nothing wrong, the quarters are similar to a jail cell. It's easy to understand why sympathetic volunteers spend so much time confronting such a grim reality.

Little is better than hanging out in the lap of luxury with your favorite canine companion. Doing so with a glass of wine in hand while your pooch frolics with new friends pretty much makes the occasion perfect. The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel is making the fantasy a reality with the launch of its “Yappy Hour,” a monthly event created to raise money for the Pet Project Foundation.

The LAist cat of the week is Finnegan, a five year old flame point Siamese put up for adoption by his original owner who lost her home due to foreclosure. She found him as a tiny baby in front of a feed store, where someone left him in a box that was labeled "snake food.” He's lucky an animal lover found him first!

The world's oceans are home to more than 97 percent of all life on Earth. Those resources are dwindling thanks to over-fishing and pollution— a majority from land-based activities. Activist and Incubus front man Brandon Boyd has partnered with surf brand Hurley to raise funds and awareness about ocean conservation with a limited edition clothing line.

What's your biggest regret? According to a recent telephone survey of 370 American adults conducted by Neal Roese, a Kellogg professor of marketing at Northwestern University and Mike Morrison of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, ROMANCE was the most common area of regret for Americans, followed by family, education, and career.

This past Wednesday was National Puppy Day. Often times people who want a pet can only imagine getting a puppy or kitten, but there are many reasons to consider older pets. Older pets are usually house-trained, have fully-formed personalities, and have grown into their looks. In other words, you know what you’re getting. It can be hard to resist the cuteness of baby animals (baby feet!) but older pets will love you just as much, maybe even a little more.

Last night, LA City Council approved a hiring freeze for the LAPD over the next three months. The freeze is designed to help decrease the city’s budget deficit by saving the city more than $4 million in the coming fifteen months, reports LA Now.

This week's pets, Sage and Sabrina are from Santé D’Or Foundation. Santé D’Or a is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2003. It is a donor-supported, no-kill animal rescue. Run by an executive director and a staff of volunteers, Santé D’Or rescues and provides holistic care and sanctuary to animals, while working to secure them permanent homes.

Seventeen years after the film Angels In The Outfield exposed the secret of the then California Angels divine defensive assistance, the season has finally come where the Angels have a good enough outfield to relieve the loyal spirits of their duties. With Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells, and touted 24 year-old rookie Peter Bourjos roaming the outfield in Anaheim, there will be no need to summon “Al” (Lloyd’s character in the historic film) and his angels.