adoption
Lexington Humane Society's New First Contact Service. A full-time staff member will work one-on-one with individual canine and feline adopters searching for a specific type of pet or breed. A registry is created for each adopter/program participant, specifying desired breed(s), energy-level, personality, and age. As desired animals are identified and placed up for adoption, program participants are contacted regarding their availability.
To sign up:
■ Complete the First Contact Form.
■ Do some research to confirm your lifestyle fits with a desired breed's requirements (such as special feeding, exercise, and grooming).
■ Call and set up an appointment with the Finders-Keepers Coordinator, (859) 233-0044 Ext. 236.
Fact: Over 25 percent of shelter animals are purebreds of all breeds, ages and colors.
For more information: Call (859) 233-0044, Ext. 236. Lexingtonhumanesociety.org
Dog sports
AKC Tracking Dog Test and Tracking Dog Excellent Test. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 15. Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Iron Works Pkwy. Lexington. These tests are the competition form of canine search and rescue. Dogs may earn Tracking Dog or Tracking Dog Excellent patches. Lexingtonkennelclub.com.
Intro to Barn Hunt Seminar. 2-3:30 p.m., 4-5:30 p.m. Feb. 7. Sit Means Sit Dog Training of Lexington, 2365 Lexington Rd., Versailles.
Barn Hunt of the Bluegrass was recently approved as an official barn hunt club and is now bringing the exciting dog sport of barn hunt to the Lexington area. Barn Hunt is the rapidly growing dog sport in which dog and handler teams search for and identify rats hidden in hay. Dogs must go through tunnels and climb onto hay bales as they search for rats (kept safely in tubes and not harmed in event). The seminar will cover an overview of the sport of barn hunt, the objectives and rules, and an introduction to rats for each dog. Space is limited, visit http://sitmeanssit.com/dog-training-mu/lexington-dog-training/barn-hunt/ to reserve a spot.
Official Fun Test Barn Hunt. 6-9 p.m., Feb. 6. Down the Leash, 7333 Tates Creek Road, Lexington. $5. Instinct, novice and open only. Approved by the Barn Hunt Association. Visit LBHC Facebook page for more details.
Charity and volunteer
SPAY-ghetti and No Balls dinner. Feb. 4. Rooster Brew, 609 Main St., Paris. A night of dinner and beer benefiting Paris Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). $5 for spaghetti dinner and dessert. Pawspets.org. (859) 988-9800.
Woodford Humane Society volunteer orientation. 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 17. Woodford Humane Society, 265 Thomas Lane, Versailles. (859) 873-5491. Learn about all the ways you can help the animals and meet our pets and staff. Email katie@woodfordhumane.org to sign up
Tails & Ales beer-tasting benefiting Lexington Humane Society. 7-10 p.m. Feb. 20. Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa. Includes snacks and live music by Kenny Owens. For ages 21 and older; personal pets not permitted. $55; $800 reserved tables for 8. Information: Lexingtonhumanesociety.org/blog/tails-and-ales-2015/#sthash.GlKTg3AR.dpuf
Classes/workshops
Introducing Dog to Baby. 6-6:45 p.m. Feb. 23. Babies R Us, 1965 Star Shoot Pkwy., Lexington (859) 263-8598. Babiesrus.com
Education
IncrediPet Lunch & Learn Series. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free, but space is limited. Food and drink provided to those who reserve a spot. Reservations: Send email with name, address, phone number and email address to incredipetlex@gmail.com or call (859) 266-9774. Specify which session you would like to attend.
Series schedule:
■ Feb. 19, Puppy and Kitten 101. IncrediPet, 3080 Richmond Rd.
■ March 19, Rotational Feeding. IncrediPet Select, 4101 Tates Creek Center Dr.
■ April 16, Sensitive Stomachs. IncrediPet, 306 Southland Dr.
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