animals

Last year the energetic staff and volunteers at Save the Pets set a goal of finding homes for 100 pets during the holiday season. They met that goal, and this year together with West Coast Dog and Cat Rescue they plan to find homes for the holidays for 250 animals.

The groups, together with a plethora of other rescues around town, will be at Johnson Brothers Greenhouses in Coburg every Saturday and Sunday at from 11-3. You can find your dream dog or cat in all shapes, colors and sizes. There will also be arts and crafts, wreaths, special appearances and other nonprofits you can check out.

For more info or event updates go to http://www.northwestgardenplants.com or call Lori Smith (savethepetseugene@gmail.com) Save the Pets 686-2467 or Julie McDonnell, (lilly2beans@yahoo.com) West Coast Dog & Cat Rescue 337-2157.

If you want to support animal rescue but aren't ready to bring a Fido or a Fluffy home just yet, head on over to Lane County Animal Services' (LCAS) Laughs for Lassie benefit for LCAS at the Hult Center at 7 pm on Dec. 5. Tickets at the Hult Center office, $26.

Unlike the Republican candidates, who seem to have a poor track record when it comes to furry folk, the Dems are coming out full of puppy love.

According to an AP wire story out today, Obama announced that he doesn't just want to be the people's president, but a president for all critters:

"What about animal rights?" a woman shouted out during the candidate's town hall meeting outside Las Vegas Wednesday after he discussed issues that relate more to humans, like war, health care and the economy.

Obama responded that he cares about animal rights very much, "not only because I have a 9-year-old and 6-year-old who want a dog." He said he sponsored a bill to prevent horse slaughter in the Illinois state Senate and has been repeatedly endorsed by the Humane Society.

"I think how we treat our animals reflects how we treat each other," he
said. "And it's very important that we have a president who is mindful
of the cruelty that is perpetrated on animals."

PARTAY!

OK, we got two things going on for our first "Companion Animals" (or "Pets" or "Beasts and their Buddies" — if you have a good idea for what to call this thing, please tell us) special issue, coming out August 23.

1. PETS PERSONALS! You gives us a picture and some words, oh, and I think some money (but we editorial types stay away from those details; email pets@eugeneweekly.com or call 484-0519 and ask for Geneva for more info), and we prints the pic on a special pets personal page.

2. Is your companion animal the cutest in the world? How about the ugliest? Submit your photos to pets@eugeneweekly.com by 5 pm on Monday, Aug. 20, to find out.