One way you can help is to hang their poster, available at www.alleycat.org/NFCD, in your vet’s office.
Alley Cat Allies said people care about feral cats. Their research shows two out of five Americans have fed a stray cat. But most people don’t know how to do anything else.
Alley Cat Allies is using National Feral Cat Day to educate people about humane community programs, like Trap-Neuter-Return, to end the cycle of stray cats pumping out unwanted and sickly kittens.
Visit a shelter
The American Humane Association also is celebrating Adopt-A-Dog Month this month by asking people to visit a shelter and see how much fun and joy a shelter dog could bring to your family.
That homeless dog can bring companionship, better health and unconditional love to your home. But if you aren’t ready for a lifetime commitment to a dog, you can still help.
The association encourages people to volunteer at a shelter or rescue group. They need people for a variety of jobs, from walking dogs to fostering to taking photos of pets for Web sites.
You also can support shelters and rescue groups with financial donations, blankets, toys, dog food and supplies.
Training classes offered
Pet Behavior and Training services is offering training classes this month. Four-week evening classes for $40 start Monday, Oct. 5, for puppies and morning classes for puppies start Oct. 17.
Six-week classes, for $55, start Oct. 22 in the evening for puppies.
All classes are taught at Pet Behavior and Training Services, 1407 Business Center Court, Dayton. To register or for more information, call (937) 293-5686 or visit www.petbehaviorand trainingservices.org.
Dog Days at church
Stillwater Church, at the corner of Stop 8 and Miller Lane, will hold Dog Days of Fall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. There will be vendors, dog grooming and vaccinations.
For more information, call (937) 410-4684.
Halloween events for pets
October also means Halloween and the chance for your pets to share some fun with you. Here are a few upcoming Halloween events:
Meadow View’s Bow Wow Ween pet costume contest starts at noon Oct. 31 for your favorite dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig or horse in costume to join Meadow View’s annual Bow Wow Ween parade of pets. Prizes will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place winners.
For more information, call (937) 845-0093 or visit www.meadowview.com.
The Miami Valley Pet Therapy Association’s 4th Annual Happy HOWL-o-ween Dog Walk and Blessing of the Animals will be Oct. 17 at Indian Riffle Park in Kettering.
Registration was due by Oct. 2 at www.mvpta.com to get a goodie bag.
The day of the event, registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The Blessing of the Animals begins at 11 a.m. The walk starts at 11:05 a.m., and the costume parade begins at 12:30 p.m.
If your dog enjoys it, dress it in a Halloween costume. There also will be free lunch for walkers, raffles, door prizes and demonstrations by a doggie drill team and dog agility shows.
All animals must be leashed, licensed and current on vaccinations — and they must be friendly to humans and other dogs. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No more than two dogs per walker. And expect to clean up after your pet.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2248 or ldenger@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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