The RVSPCA is trying to reach a big goal today and tomorrow: Find good homes for 50 percent of its adoptable pets for 50 percent off the normal adoption fee.

Is it Adoption Impossible? Or can this mission indeed be possible?

You can visit with kitties and dogs in search of loving families at PetSmart at Valley View this weekend from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

To see the gallery of pets available for adoption, including Harris who is pictured here, click this link right here.

I got a news release from Angels of Assisi indicating it is looking for lovers — of wee little kittens.

It’s kitten season, and sadly there are more many babies that are orphans. Angels is recruiting fosters now to keep up with the demand.

These tiny bundles of purring joy need help to have a chance to become adoptable cats. The best part of fostering is that you can nurture, love and socialize these adorable kittens knowing that when your job is done, they will go on to be pets in loving homes.

The shelter will provide supplies, information and support to all members of its foster crew, the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee.

To become a Committee member, contact Lisa O’Neill at 400-2233 or loneill@angelsofassisi.org.

Until a couple of weeks ago, I had no idea there was such a thing as  a cat circus. Or a cat rock band.

And that this wonderful bit of magic tours the country and will be stopping here in Roanoke.

Here’s a link to my story about the upcoming show, including dates and ticket information, that ran in yesterday’s Inside Out section.

Let me know if you plan to attend any of the shows and if you do, please let me know what you think. Just from what I learned from Samantha Martin, the ringmaster and band leader, I think it will be a hoot.

Part of the proceeds from the shows will benefit Angels of Assisi, which will also have adoptable kitties on site if you are interested in adding a (or another) critter to your family,

You have two opportunities this week to support Angels of Assisi at family-friendly events.

Angels will host a kids night this Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the shelter, 415 Campbell Ave. in downtown Roanoke. The event will kick off Prevention of Cruelty to Animals month (April).

The evening will feature story time, a tour and visit with the animals, snacks and a visit from Botetourt Animal Control officers.

Then on Saturday, Angels will be on the move at East Gate Church of the Nazarene’s Easter Egg Hunt.

The church is located at 2002 East Gate Ave. in Roanoke and the event takes place from 10 a.m. to noon.

The shelter will bring dogs and bunnies that are available for adoption, and volunteers will be happy to collect donations of Purina pet food.

In addition to the adoption event and pet food drive, there will be hidden eggs for the hunting, face painting, games including three-legged and gunny sack races, and free hot dogs.

Angels of Assisi and the Regional Center for Animal Control and Protection are working together to help orphaned kittens have a chance to grow healthy and eventually find loving homes.

According to a news release from Lisa O’Neill at Angels, a network of foster homes, affectionately known as the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee, bottle feeds these wee babies for the first eight weeks of life until they are old enough to be returned to the adoption center.

This Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon, the downtown shelter is asking for donations to help these fosters, including kitten formula, bottles, blankets, crates, kitty litter and toys.

If you are interested in fostering baby kitties, a foster orientation session will start at noon.

Angels of Assisi is located at 415 Campbell Avenue S.W. in downtown Roanoke.

Yet another reason to look forward to the weekend: The Spay-ghetti and No Balls dinner this Friday in Moneta.

This benefit for the Bedford County Humane Society, Barn Cat Buddies and All American Mutt Rescue will be held at  Casa D’ Amici Italian Restaurant and Steakhouse, 1100 Celebration Ave Suite 204, in Moneta on March 8 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Proceeds will be used to provide low-cost spay and neuter services for dogs and cats of area residents.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Dinner includes spaghetti, salad, bread and iced tea. A cash bar will be available.

Call 492-1625 or 525-2239 to purchase tickets in advance.

Sally, the adorable black Lab and customer service representative at Black Dog Salvage, wants to help out a few of her friends.

So she’s hosting an adoption event this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The dogs and cats seeking forever homes are from Angels of Assisi, and there is a special adoption rate for black dogs and cats: $32, which includes spaying/neutering, microchipping and all vaccinations.

Black Dog Salvage is located at 902 13th St. S.W. in Roanoke and, in case you haven’t heard, is featured in the DIY and HGTV series “Salvage Dawgs.”

Mountain View Humane Spay/Neuter Clinics of Roanoke and Christiansburg are not running low on pets in need of fixing, but the clinics are running low on cash to help the pets of needy families.

The Spay it Forward Fund, which helps subsidize the fees for surgery for low-income families, is “nearly wiped out,” according to a news release.

“This fund if designed to assist residents who would like to have their companion animals sterilized and vaccinated but cannot afford even the low-cost fees charged by Mountain View Humane,” the news release said.

If you can afford to help, tax deductible donations can be sent to the Waldron-Ricci Spay/Neuter Clinic, 53 W. Main St., Christiansburg, 24073 or the Sabrina & Lucky Garvin Spay/Neuter Clinic, 5363 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, 24019.

It’s a new year so many of us have dusted off our sneakers in an effort to burn off the holiday binges and fight off the winter blues. If you happen to be a goal-oriented type, here’s a run you can start training for that will help shelter pets here in Roanoke.

The Roanoke Valley SPCA will hold its first annual Tail Chaser 5K…Running for Their Lives on March 30. The event will begin at Roanoke’s Wasena Park to River’s Edge and back and it will be timed.

If you are like me and can’t run (my bionic knee apparently lacks the super powers I had hoped it would contain) the One Mile Black Dog Salvage Walk will stroll from Wasena Park to Vic Thomas Park and back.

Friendly, leashed canine companions can accompany you (proof of vaccinations will be required at check in.)

Here are more details:

• Run begins at 9 a.m. (on-site registration opens at 7:30 a.m.)
• Dog Walk begins at 10 a.m.
• Registration is required to participate in the Tail Chaser 5K &/or 1 Mile Black Dog Salvage Dog Walk
• Pre-registration fee – Tail Chaser 5K – $20 (runner), $5 canine companion (runner); 1 Mile Black Dog Salvage Dog Walk – $20 (walker),
  $5 canine companion (walker)
• Day-Of registration fee – Tail Chaser 5K – $30 (runner), $5 canine companion (runner); 1 Mile Black Dog Salvage Dog Walk – $30 (walker),
  canine companion $5 (walker).
• Online pre-registration closes at 6 p.m. on March 27.
• Prizes and plaques wil be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place overall runners (both male & female.)
• T-shirts will be guaranteed to the first 100 runners/walkers to register before March 1.
• Tail Chaser 5K bandanas guaranteed to the first 100 dogs registered.

To register, click this link right here. 

Hello readers. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and you and all your pets were on the nice list.

If you find yourself with a little free time in these cold winter months, you might consider doing some good for some homeless pets in need of a few good friends.

FORCACP (Friends of The Regional Center for Animal Control and Protection) (aka the pound) is looking for committed volunteers to help walk the dogs, socialize the cats, network with animal rescue groups among other tasks.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and should be willing to commit eight hours per month and attend a volunteer orientation meeting.

You can get more information at this link right here, by calling Ruth Pierce 339-9506 or by emailing rpierce@rvspca.org.