Pet events
Pet blessings
Humane Animal Rescue’s Celebration and Blessing of Animals is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 810 Bellefonte St., Shadyside.
Blessings are interfaith, and the celebration includes animal psychic readings, pet vendors, face painting and giveaways.
Fall for Animals Festival
Adoptable pets, vendors and entertainment abound at the Fall for Animals Festival Saturday and Sunday in Ford City, Armstrong County. The event benefits 12 rescue organizations and shelters.
A pet show is at 2 p.m. Saturday, and a kids costume contest is at 6 p.m. Activities also include hay rides and wine tastings. At 1 p.m. Sunday, Stan Gordon of Greensburg will give a program on UFO and Bigfoot sightings and paranormal activities.
The festival is free, but Mr. Gordon’s talk is $5 and parking is $5.
Beneficiaries include Three Rivers Greyhounds, Orphans of the Storm, Grey Paws Sanctuary, Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary, Flying Changes Equine Rescue and Kiski Valley Cat Rescue.
The festival is at Crooked Creek Horse Park, 467 Crooked Creek Dam Road, Ford City (16226).
Bunny talk
A healthy diet makes for a happier rabbit, and the Pittsburgh House Rabbit Club is offering free advice from veterinarian Bob Wagner from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Humane Animal Rescue, 1101 Western Ave., North Side (15233). Bring questions but do not bring your rabbit.
Topics covered will include the role of fiber, why carbohydrates are hard to digest, how much fruit to feed your rabbit and how to safely manage weight loss.
Email mary@cvetan.com to let rabbit club co-founder Mary Cvetan know that you’re coming.
Black Cat Brewery Crawl
A tour of four local breweries from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday will benefit Animal Friends spay/neuter programs for community cats. The fun starts at Allegheny City Brewing, North Side, and moves on to Dancing Gnome Beer, Sharpsburg, Grist House, Millvale, and Wigle Whiskey, Spring Garden.
Register in advance for $30 at www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org or pay $35 at the door. That includes tastings, tours and access to food trucks.
Dog Halloween parade
“Dogs in Cranberry are about to leave their mark, and it won’t just be on the hydrants,” according to the witty news release from the township’s parks and recreation department.
Next Saturday, dogs and owners in costume will parade at the Rotary Dog Park near Raider Pride Pavilion. There will be prizes for best owner and pet combo, most creative and scariest costumes.
Cost is $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. Registration is required online at www.cranberry4FUN/com/register or call 724-779-4FUN, ext. 1129. Check-in is 11 a.m., and the parade starts at 11:15 a.m. A veterinarian’s certificate documenting current rabies vaccination is required.
And mark your calendars: There will be a pet first-aid and CPR workshop Nov. 18 and pet photos with Santa Dec.3.
Free adoptions
Animals Friends will hold a Fall Into Love Adoption Event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14-15 at the shelter, 562 Camp Horne Road, Ohio Township (15237).
The first 25 adopters that weekend will get gift bags and “priceless adoptions” (meaning free) for animals older than 6 months.