Dear Friends,

Tom Friedman, one of the founding directors of Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, once said, "Save one dog. Save the world." His words later became the motto and continue to be the daily practice at Utopia.

Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit "never-kill" shelter that rescues abandoned and/or abused animals, nurtures them and places them with loving families. Nancy Parker-Simons (affectionately known as "Cousin Nancy") has managed to keep the doors to Utopia rescue open for ten years--that's quite an accomplishment as those familiar with animal rescue can attest. It wasn't always easy, but due to Cousin Nancy's dedicated supervision, Tony Simons' devoted effort and Kinky Friedman's undying support, more than 2000 animals have been rescued since the opening.

Kinky turns a year older on November 1st and what better way to wish him a happy birthday than to give a gift to the cause that’s near and dear to his heart, Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch.

Utopia is a nonprofit “never-kill” shelter that rescues abandoned and/or abused animals, nurtures them and places them with loving families. Utopia relies on the generous support of friends and animal lovers to continue rescuing and caring for the many animals that find refuge there.  

Your gift to Utopia directly benefits the dogs and other animals that await adoption. With your help, Utopia is able to spay and neuter, vaccinate, feed, provide medicine for and foster more abandoned and abused animals. Since opening its gates ten years ago, Utopia has rescued more than two thousand animals.

Give Kinky a birthday gift that helps save hundreds of lives—support Utopia.

Ways to support Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch:

After playing to critical acclaim across Europe and the U.S. East Coast this summer, Kinky, Little Jewford and Washington Ratso are back in Texas for one performance only. And where's the perfect setting to hold this exclusive event? The place made famous by his mystery novels, Kinky's own private ranch, Echo Hill (Medina, Texas area).

In addition to the show, guests will be treated to a real ranch dinner and have the opportunity to explore select areas of Echo Hill Ranch on a nature walk. Tours of Kinky's Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch will be conducted during the afternoon, and a ‘surprise' birthday celebration for Kinky will top off the day.

Kinky and Co. Head East

After a successful European tour earlier this summer, Kinky, Little Jewford and Washington Ratso are bringing their one-of-a-kind act to the east coast.

That's right, Kinky, Little Jewford and Washington Ratso are heading for cooler weather. The trio will play a limited number of shows in the DC area, Pennsylvania and New York during Labor Day weekend.

In addition to classic Kinky Friedman tunes, each show is sure to include some of Kinky's cowboy philosophy, stories of Kinky's adventures and other hilarious antics.

Kinky's new book, What Would Kinky Do? How to Unscrew a Screwed Up World, will be available at all east coast shows. With gas prices on the rise, an election on the horizon, and global warming making the summer hotter than ever, this country is in dire need of Kinky's notorious humor and wit.

Sin City is getting a visit from Kinky Friedman this July, and you can bet it'll be a good time.

Kinky Friedman Cigars! And Public Booksigning! 

Kinky and Kinky Friedman Cigars will celebrate the company's one year anniversary at the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The trade show runs July 14-July 17 at the Sands Expo Center.

Kinky will meet attendees, take photos and discuss his cigars, politics, smoking laws and virtually anything else at the Kinky Friedman Cigars/Oliveros Cigars Booth, No. 0636-0642, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2-4 p.m. on July 14, 15 and 16.