Bloglander

Just to be clear, not all of these events are exclusively about cats.

Though cats are indeed what Cat Friday is all about, the animal love goes beyond the feline species. After spending the past week working on the Inlander's huge Summer Guide issue — it's out on stands today, and is full of fun things to do across the Northwest from now until Labor Day, including a big section on animal experiences by yours truly — I came across a big list of animal-related events that are worth sharing and attending.

Saturday, June 14

click to enlarge

SCRAPS

One of the six horses looking for a new home this weekend.

This Saturday, SCRAPS is hosting a special adoption event called "The Mane Event" to find homes for six horses it took in earlier this year during one of the biggest animal seizure's in the countywide agency's history. Izzy, Terra and Raindancer are three of the six horses looking for new homes, and will be available on Saturday from 10 am-2 pm at Northwest Trails horse boarding in Deer Park (4607 Garden Spot Rd). More pictures of the horses are posted on SCRAPS' Facebook page.

Also on Saturday is the Spokane Humane Society's huge fundraiser walk, the 11th Annual Parade of Paws. In addition to the nonprofit, no-kill shelter's formal fundraiser gala in November, Furr Ball, Saturday's dog-friendly community walk is one of its biggest donation drives. There's still time to register for the 2- or 4-mile walk, which kicks off at 10 am Saturday. Day-of registration is open for two hours before the walk, or you can stop by the shelter (6607 N. Havana) tomorrow, Friday, from noon-7 pm. If you can't make it to the event, consider making a donation to a local team. (Isn't team Right Meow's name catchy?! Disclaimer: that's my team!)

Another special adoption event this weekend, this one in North Idaho, seeks to find homes for nearly 40 guinea pigs and more than 50 rabbits seized in January of this year by the Kootenai Humane Society and the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office. These furry critters are the last of the pets taken in during an animal abuse investigation, and are being offered free to good homes. The adoption fair takes place on Saturday starting at 9 am at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. Those interested should do some homework first to make sure a small animal is a good fit for their home and lifestyle. They require more care and attention than you may think!

Later this month...

Next weekend, the brand new Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services shelter hosts a public grand opening, on Sat, June 21, starting with an official "leash cutting" ceremony at 9:45 am. Throughout the day, the public is invited to stop by for self-guided tours of the new shelter, at 6815 E. Trent Ave., as well as free dog-training seminars, grooming demonstrations, kids crafts, pet adoptions and more. The new shelter replaces SCRAPS' outdated and outgrown facility off Flora Rd. in Spokane Valley, and is now the county- and Spokane city-wide headquarters for residents looking for lost pets or who need to get a pet license. SCRAPS took over the city of Spokane's animal control contract at the beginning of this year.

Throughout the month of June, SpokAnimal is No-Li Brewhouse's charity of the month beneficiary. That means customers can redeem a $2 token from every flight of craft beer that's purchased in the "Charity of the Month" jar (or toward No-Li merchandise), with the total amount at the end of the month donated to the local nonprofit. Then on Tues, June 24, from 5:30-8 pm, No-Li hosts SpokAnimal's "Sliders & Growlers" benefit, offering a flight of six beers with three pub sliders for $20. A portion of the proceeds benefit the shelter, and prizes like filled No-Li growlers are to be given away throughout the evening.

To keep up on future animal-related events, visit inlander.com/events. Events that benefit a local shelter or rescue group are typically listed under the "benefit" or "community" categories. To add similar events we don't have listed yet on our calendar, submit them online.