The Search for Santa Paws is a 2010 American-Canadian Christmas adventure-fantasy film. It is a prequel to Santa Buddies, as well as the tenth film in the Air Bud franchise. The film was directed by Robert Vince, written by Robert Vince and Anna McRoberts, produced by Anna McRoberts and Robert Vince, and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. The movie stars Madison Pettis, Kaitlyn Maher, Richard Riehle, Danny Woodburn, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and the voices of Mitchel Musso, Bonnie Somerville, and Zachary Gordon.
The plot begins with Santa Claus (Richard Riehle) and his loyal reindeer, Eddy, traveling to New York City with Santa Paws (Mitchel Musso), the son of Santa Paws (George Lopez), to deliver a magical crystal to Santa Claus's wife, Mrs. Claus (Bonnie Somerville). However, they discover that the children of the world have lost the spirit of Christmas and don't believe in Santa Claus anymore.
While Santa Paws is waiting for Santa Claus, he meets a young orphan girl named Quinn (Kaitlyn Maher) and her dog, Remi, who runs away from her cruel foster mother, Ms. Stout (Wendi McLendon-Covey), and her minions, Dr. Haggly (Danny Woodburn) and Monk (Stevie Vallance). Santa Paws becomes Quinn's friend and helps her bring back the Christmas spirit to her new friends, Will (Zachary Gordon) and Tommy (G. Hannelius), by performing miracles with his magical crystal.
However, Santa Claus loses his memory when Ms. Stout and her minions ambush him and steal his crystal. Santa Paws and Quinn team up with the magical talking dogs, including Noble (Whoopi Goldberg), Eddy (Josh Flitter), and Tiny (Tim Conway), to rescue Santa Claus and bring back the Christmas spirit to the world. They also teach Ms. Stout and her minions the true meaning of Christmas, which is about love, kindness, and generosity.
In the end, Santa Paws and Santa Claus become best friends, and Santa Paws decides to become a new helper of Santa Claus to deliver presents to the children and make them believe in Christmas again. The film ends with the magical talking dogs singing "A Happy Santa Claus" and reminding the audience to never lose the Christmas spirit.
