Find a furry friend at Pet-A-Palooza

This weekend, Douglas County Animal Services hosts the first annual Pet-A-Palooza in celebration of local pet resources. The event takes place 1-5 p.m. Sunday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 920 Dump Road in Gardnerville.

Lots of dogs are looking for forever homes and will be onsite for meet and greets in the DCAS adoption trailer. The community is invited to come out, cuddle up with a shelter dog, and maybe even go home with a new furry friend.

Attendees can peruse attractions that include food trucks, face painting, and other pet services and resource vendor booths while enjoying demonstrations from the Douglas County Mounted Posse and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit.

Battle Born Mobile Vet will offer rabies vaccines for dogs, and Douglas Animal Welfare Group will offer pet microchipping. In addition to the identification on a dog collar tag, microchips contain specific information that can help recover a lost or stolen pet.

In Douglas County, all dogs 4 months of age and older are required to have a dog license issued by the county and must be inoculated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Dog licensing services will be available in the DCAS trailer; bring a current rabies certificate as proof of vaccination. For more information, call DCAS at 775-782-9061.

Keep pets secure; coyotes are on the hunt

I recently wrote about the prevalence of coyotes in the area, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that I spotted one last weekend. This sighting, however, was unlike any I’ve ever had.

On a trip out of town last Friday, my family was heading south on 395 just past Pine View Estates around 4 p.m. when we saw a large coyote sprint across the road right in front of us. It had what looked to be a sizable raccoon in its mouth, and it bolted across the pavement in a flash before darting between fence slats on the other side of the highway.

There were lots of cars on the road, and it’s shocking that the coyote timed its dash at just the right moment to avoid getting hit. It’s also a surprise that we saw it in broad daylight, but hunger doesn’t follow a clock, and coyotes will take advantage of opportunities whenever they arise. It’s a good reminder to keep pets safe and secure, no matter the time of day.

Fill your bowl at annual fundraiser

The Empty Bowls of Douglas County annual fundraiser takes place 4-6:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at St. Gall Catholic Church, 1343 Centerville Lane in Gardnerville.

The $25 fee includes a hand-crafted ceramic bowl, meal, and dessert. Food is supplied by various restaurants and organizations throughout the area, and there’s also a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Carson Valley Community Food Closet.

The local Empty Bowls chapter is part of an international effort that began at a Michigan high school in 1990. To support a local food drive, students in John Hartom’s art class created ceramic bowls, invited faculty to a luncheon, and requested donations in exchange for a meal of soup and bread. Attendees were invited to keep their bowls as a reminder that while they were no longer hungry after having just eaten a meal, those less fortunate still have empty bowls.

With a goal of “Ending hunger in Douglas County, one bowl at a time!,” non-profit EBDCNV runs entirely though volunteer efforts and facilitates ceramic bowl making with local students, artisans, and community groups year-round in preparation for this autumn event. For more information or to inquire about volunteering, contact Dawn Rosenburg at 775-721-6117.

Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.