Funny Bones Comedy Jam raises money to help animals

Sammy Shore has told all sorts of jokes on all sorts of topics during his decades in show business.

But, lately, Shore has been working up a few quips about dogs, cats and our other favorite four-footed companions.

For instance: "I just bred a toy spaniel with a miniature poodle. I got something cute, but I can't find it."

And: "Then I bred a pit bull and a Shih Tzu, and I got a Bull Shih Tzu."

And: "My dog is worried about the economy, because Alpo was up three dollars a can, and that's almost 21 dollars in dog money."

Not to worry. Shore -- a longtime animal lover whose household currently includes a bichon frise and a cocker spaniel -- will have more pet-centric jokes ready to unleash Sunday when the second annual Funny Bones Comedy Jam kicks off at the Palms.

Shore and Bobby Slayton will host the benefit, which begins at 3 p.m. This year's roster of performers is scheduled to include Vinnie Favorito, George Wallace, Pauly Shore, Dennis Blair, Geechy Guy, James P. Connolly, Doug Starks, Catherine Hickland and DJ Ben Harris.

The show will raise money for the Funny Bones Foundation. That nonprofit organization, created by Shore and Dr. Matthew Brooks of Town Center Animal Hospital, provides funding to Southern Nevada animal rescue organizations to help defray the costs of providing medical treatment to rescued animals.

Brooks explains that many of the rescued animals he sees are injured or "really sick or have very serious infections and need pretty extensive medical care."

However, he says, valley rescue organizations often don't have the money to provide costly treatments to sick or injured animals. So, Funny Bones provides funding to registered nonprofits in Las Vegas to help cover such expenses.

Last year's inaugural show raised about $20,000, Shore says, and performers again this year are donating their talents to the show, while Palms owner George Maloof again is donating use of the venue.

"No one gets any money from this," says Shore, although corralling performers isn't difficult.

"Most of these guys have animals, dogs or cats," he says, "and when I ask them to do this, it's, 'What can I do to help?' "

So, for the next few days, Shore will continue to devote his comedic skills to working up a few more dog jokes.

Like, for instance, the one about two stray dogs that walked over to a parking meter. One, Shore says, "looks and says to the other, 'Look at that. Pay toilets.' "

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@review journal.com or 702-383-0280.