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Momentum is building for the inaugural Delaware Week for the Animals, scheduled to take place April 19-27, in communities across the state.
Throughout the week, shelters, rescue groups and humane organizations will be hosting an array of animal-related events. Educators, students, businesses and citizens across Delaware are joining in as well, planning their own activities to celebrate and help the animals.
Events include adoption fairs, spay/neuter awareness events, READ dog programs in libraries, an Afternoon for the Farm Animals, therapy dogs visiting in hospitals, salutes to canine military and police dogs, Helping Community Cats workshops, special programs at the zoo, blessings for the animals, free movies and fun-filled festival days for families to come and enjoy food, music and the animals.
The week kicks off Saturday, April 19, with Party at the Pound at Kent County SPCA, Party for the Planet at the Brandywine Zoo, and a Spring Fling at the Georgetown SPCA shelter. The Spring Fling in Georgetown is an afternoon of animal-friendly fun and educational exhibits.
Features include a meet the vet booth, spring pet fashion show with prizes, demonstration for K-9 good citizen and a rally. There will also be a vote for the favorite shelter pet, face painting and a small petting zoo, plus a talk on pet therapy and information on preparing pets and families in disaster planning. For directions and to find out more, call 856-6361.
Sunday, April 20, is the Animal Appreciation Day Spring Festival and Adoption Fair at Killens Pond State Park, in Felton, about 40 minutes north of Lewes. A highlight event for the Week for the Animals, this free family day will feature adoptable animals from shelters and rescue groups. Visitors can stroll by information booths and educational exhibits from state and national organizations, including Best Friends Animal Society, Humane Society of the United States, Dogs Deserve Better-No Chains! and Alley Cat Allies.
There will also be contests, pet-friendly vendors, kids’ activities, music/live radio broadcast and great animal-friendly food. Best Friends’ co-founder Gregory Castle is flying in to be a special guest of honor.
Killens Pond State Park is located just off Route 13 between Harrington and Dover. The Animal Appreciation Day Spring Festival and Adoption Fair runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is free and open to all.
Alley Cat Allies founder and President Becky Robinson will present a free public program on Advocating For Feral Cats, 5:30-6:45 p.m. with a reception at 6:45, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach. A free Alley Cat Allies workshop on Helping Community Cats will be led by Elena Johnson at the same location from 7 to 8 p.m.
Shelter Beautification Day is planned for Tuesday, April 22, and volunteers are needed to help out in a painting project at the Georgetown SPCA. For more details, contact Jerry Linkerhof at 856-6361.
Meet L.E.A.P. will begin at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, at the Rehoboth Beach Public Library. Faithful Friends Literacy Education Assistance Pups will be providing their special skills by helping struggling young readers. Bring the kids and enjoy the evening.
Talk to current volunteers and learn how to get involved. Register at pettherapy@faithfulfriends.us or by calling 302-427-8514, Ext. 5.
The Movies at Midway, north of Rehoboth Beach, will screen two free documentaries about animals on Friday, April 25. “Fifteen Legs” will begin at 2 p.m.; the film describes the “rescue railroad” network of people who transport animals from high-kill shelters to safety and adoption in other states.
At 3 p.m., “The Witness” tells the story of how a construction contractor from a tough Brooklyn neighborhood overcame his fear of animals to become an impassioned animal advocate.
Also on April 25 will be a presentation and book signing by Gene Baur, author of “Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food.” Baur is the president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, an organization that rescues and cares for abused farm animals. The event will be held at 7 p.m., at the Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center on the Boardwalk at Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach.
Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach will host a book signing, 8:30-11 a.m., Saturday, April 26, by “Fifteen Legs” author/producer Bonnie Silva.
Four-legged friends and their two-legged companions will kick off the beach season Saturday, April 26, with the Delaware Humane Association’s Fifth Annual Walk For The Animals At The Beach along the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk. Parking is available near the Henlopen Hotel. Registration begins at Lake Avenue at 11 a.m. and the walk will start at noon. The walk is the length of the Boardwalk and back, about two miles, and walkers are welcome to bring their dog(s). Proceeds benefit the humane association and its mission. For more information or to register, visit www.dehumane.org or call Debby at 302-571-8172, Ext.301.
To find out about all the other events taking place during the Week for the Animals, and ways to get involved, visit www.delawareanimalweek.org.
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