Angels of Assisi Spay/Neuter Wellness Clinic and Adoption Center is inviting the public to a seminar on animal welfare laws and the court system.

The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Greenfield Education & Training Center, 57 S. Center Drive in Daleville.

This is the course description on the event’s Facebook page:

“Have you ever wondered what role prosecutors take in animal abuse cases? How to truly identify a bait dog? What happens when an animal is taken by Animal Control officers? Why do some court cases last so long, and some are resolved right away? Leading experts in animal welfare law will be be answering those questions, and many more. Registration is free, and open to all- Animal Control officers, rescue groups, volunteers, and students are all welcome!”

Click here to register.

Stormy

I have a pit bull mix in my family. Stormy is the happiest dog I have ever had the pleasure to meet. He’s generous with kisses, wags his tail so hard we are convinced it will fall off one day, and he loves to snuggle between me and my husband in bed.

He’s also been greeted with a fair amount of fear and trepidation when we take him out in public. When people ask what kind of dog he is and we answer “SPCA special” or “mutt”, they are eager to pet him. If we say he’s a “pit mix”, often they back away.

When I brought him to the newsroom once for a photo shoot for a column I wrote about owning a pit bull, I had a coworker politely tell me, as Stormy was being petted by others, that he didn’t want to be anywhere near a pit bull.

It’s unfair that so many dogs have been misjudged because this breed (or mix of the breed) has been the favorite of dog fighters and other irresponsible people who do not treat these dogs humanely. It’s tragic that many dogs — good dogs that have never hurt anyone — have been destroyed because of local ordinances banning any dog that even resembles the breed standard for a bull terrier.

Angles of Assisi, the downtown Roanoke no-kill shelter, will be screening a film “Beyond the Myth” at Roanoke College’s Olin Recital Hall on Friday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m.

According to the news release, “The film investigates the myths associated with these breeds, challenges the idea that they are inherently vicious, and presents eye-opening research regarding the media’s role in influencing people’s opinion on dog attacks.”

Click here to purchase tickets. Ticket holders are also eligible to get 50 percent off the adoption fee for adult dogs at Angels of Assisi.

FYI for all you Tuesday fans:

Former Capt. Luis Carlos Montalvan and his service dog, Tuesday, were scheduled to appear at PetEx tomorrow, but that appearance has been canceled due to unexpected travel delays.

Montalvan is the author of the book “Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him”, a New York Times bestseller about how a service dog can make the transition to civilian life better for returning veterans suffering from sever injuries and post traumatic stress disorder.

The Roanoke Valley SPCA is participating in the national “Foster A Lonely Pet For the Holidays” pet fostering program.

Over 13,000 pet rescue organizations nationwide are trying to empty the kennels for Christmas, encouraging families to open their home for the holidays to an adoptable pet waiting for a forever home.

Fostered pets can be picked up between December 18-23, and can be returned to the RVSPCA between December 30-January 2.

The RVSPCA will provide all needed supplies and support to the temporary families. You can view all of the pets online at www.rvspca.org, or visit the shelter to meet them.  The goal is to have each of these pets into a home by noon on December 23.

Ann Marie Sweeney, foster coordinator for the RVSPCA, will answer questions about the program for people interested in making this Christmas a happy holiday for a pet in need.  Contact Sweeney at 344-4840, ext. 208 or e-mail asweeney@rvspca.org.

The opening night reception for “Best in Show”, the annual art show to benefit the Roanoke Valley SPCA, will be held Feb. 6, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the atrium of the Taubman Museum of Art.

Just like the pets and animals that inspire it, the artwork in the show can take a variety of forms, including oils, pastels, chalk or pencil, photography.

More than 100 regional artists will have their work on display, and the winner of “Best in Show” will be featured as the cover of the 2010 Pet Calendar.

Can’t make it to opening night? No worries. The Market Gallery, just a one block stroll from the Taubman Museum, will feature the art from Feb. 7 through Feb. 21. 

All artwork will be for sale.  Many of the artists will designate a portion (or all) of the proceeds of the sale to the RVSPCA.

Titan is waiting to be adopted at the RVSPCA.

If you were thinking about adding a pet to your family, you might consider taking advantage of a one-day-only event a the Roanoke Valley SPCA.

The first 10 pets adopted at the RVSPCA on Saturday will have the adoption fee waived.

The non-profit, no-kill shelter found out today they can participate in the Hill’s Science Diet “Change the Life of a Pet Day” this Saturday, Jan. 24.  That means the pet food company will reimburse the RVSPCA the adoption fees for the first 10 pets on this day only, so adoptive families can take a critter home for free.

The program is being sponsored nationwide by the pet food maker teamed with actress and adopted-pet advocate Kyra Sedgwick.

Normal adoption fees will apply for the rest of the adoptions on Saturday, and all the typical adoption procedures will be followed, including the application and screening process, for the 10 pets that Hill’s Science Diet will cover. No pets can be placed on hold, so it’s first come, first home.

All pets adopted from the RVSPCA are up-to-date on shots, spayed or nuetered, and microchipped, and all are sent home with a starter kit that includes food and tips on making the pet happy in his or her new home.

Even if you aren’t able to take advantage of this generous offer from Hill’s Science Diet, the adoption fees are very reasonable, especially considering the pets have already been fixed, chipped and vaccinated.

Click here to visit the RVSPCA Web site, which includes photos of adoptable pets and a quiz you can take to help match you with the ideal animal.

Adopting a pet should not be a rash decision, and really shouldn’t be influenced solely by a bargain deal. But if you were already considering opening your heart and home to a new pooch or kitty, this is a great way to get off to a good start.

If you go to Valley View Grande 16 theater this month to catch a movie, you may want to bring a donation of pet food with you.

The theater will continue to accept donations for the PET program (Pets Eat Too) for the rest of the month. PET provides food for cats and dogs through the Meals on Wheels program and Manna Ministries.

Now that the location issue is settled, all that’s left to get a fenced-in, off-leash play area for Roanoke’s pooches is to raise a pile of cash. And that’s where you can help, and have fun doing it.

Here’s a calendar of fundraisers I got yesterday from the dog park committee :

Cocktails for a Cause
Featuring a silent auction, a raffle and, of course, cocktails
Where: Trio Bistro, Bottle, Bar in downtown Roanoke
When: Thursday, Sept 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Fun Day in the Park
A cookout, a dog wash and more. A paw-friendly event; more details to follow
Where: Highland Park
When: Saturday, Sept. 27

Going to the Dogs
A downtown block party with live music and barbecue, with proceeds shared between St. Francis Service Dogs, the RVSPCA and the dog park
Where: Downtown Roanoke
When: Wednesday, Oct. 29

Can you think of a better way to kick off Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog month, also known as October, than with some fine food, wine and music in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains?

Neither can I.

Wine, Whiskers and Song is a benefit for the Roanoke Valley SPCA and will be held at Blue Ridge Vineyards in Eagle Rock on Saturday, Oct. 4, from noon until 5 p.m.

Dogs are invited to bring their well-behaved humans to the event, as long at least one human remains properly tethered to the end of each dogs’ leash.

Admission is $10 for the I’m-over-21-and-can-prove-it wine tasters, $8 for no-thanks-I’m-driving festival goers. A souvenir wine glass is included in the tasters’ admission fee.

Food from Teaberry’s will be available for purchase, and the music is courtesy of the Blink Moon Boys.

For more information on “Wine, Whiskers & Song” or for directions to Blue Ridge Vineyard, visit www.blueridgevineyard.com or call 798-7642, or 344-4840, ext. 207.

Plenty of things for you and your dog this fall, so be sure to save the dates for the following events:

Wine, Whiskers and Song, a fundraiser for the Roanoke Valley SPCA, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4 from noon to 5 p.m. at Blue Ridge Vineyards. Well-behaved people and their leased pooches can enjoy this festival featuring wine tasting, bluegrass music and adoptable pets. Admission is $10 for tasters, $8 for non-tasters and free for dogs. Do not, however, plan on letting your dog be the designated driver.

Dogtoberfest, the annual fundraiser for St. Francis Service Dogs, happens Saturday, Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features a blessing of the animals, an agility course, food, music and PawCasso pooch painting. Admission is free. Click here for directions.

Spay-ghetti Supper, another SPCA fundraiser, is planned for Thursday, Oct. 16 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.. Order in bulk and save on delicious spaghetti suppers. Dinners are $6 per plate in advance, $7.50 at the door, and $5 per plate for orders of 25 or more dinners purchased in advance. All proceeds go to fund spay/neuter services at the RVSPCA.

The 16th annual Howl-O-Ween Walk for the Animals is Sunday, Oct. 16 in Elmwood Park. The event will also feature a microchip clinic and DNA testing for your pooch.

Click here and scroll down to the “donate now” button to pay in advance for the Spay-gehtti dinners, microchipping and the what’s-your-daddy? test. (Maury Povich will not be present.)