Paw Prints the Magazine

February 2012

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National Prevent a Litter Month

Pet Dental Health Month (AVMA)

Responsible Pet Owners Month

Dog Training Education Month

Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month

International Hoof Care Month

National Bird Feeding Month

FEB 2:  Groundhog Day

FEB 2:  Hedgehog Day

FEB 2:  Sled Dog Day

FEB 2:  Marmot Day

FEB 2:  Marmot Day

FEB 3:  St. Blaise Day (Patron saint of veterinarians & animals, protection against wild animals)

FEB 3: Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter’s 2nd Annual Chili Dinner & Cook-Off (Parkville, MO) – To enter your favorite chili just notify either Donna Jones (donnajones21@rocketmail.com)or Kathy Baker (kbaker4870@aol.com) of your entry. Please bring one crockpot of your chili to the Weatherby Lake Community center by 5:30p.m the night of the event. If other arrangements need to be made, just let us know and we will do our best to accommodate! All prizes will be awarded that night. From 6-8 pm at the Weatherby Lake Community Center. Adults $10, Seniors and Children $5. Click here for more info.

FEB 4:  Heartland SPCA Martinis Gala 2012 “We Heart the 80’s” (Overland Park, KS) – This year’s 80’s-themed event that will celebrate the joy that pets bring into our lives! All of the proceeds from the event will allow Heartland SPCA to continue the important work of caring for nearly 18,000 pets in our community each year! Emceed by Susan Hiland, of Fox4 News KC, event will feature cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres and small plates, and a one-of-a-kind silent and live auction featuring the incredible Nigro Brothers! Throughout the evening, music will bring us back to the ‘80s era will all the best hits – and artists! So tease your big hair, put on your rad clothes and go “Back to the Future” for an evening to get “Footloose” and show We Heart the ’80s – and dogs and cats too! The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Overland Park Convention Center! Sponsorship opportunities and various ticket packages are available for purchase online or by contacting Special Events Manager Amy Atha at (913) 742-7335 or aatha@heartlandspca.org. You may also contact Amy to donate interesting, one-of-a-kind items for the silent and live auction!

FEB 4:  Kiss & Tail: A Special Valentine’s Presentation at the KC Zoo (KCMO) – How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?  A nice romantic dinner? Flowers or chocolates?  Ever thought about sticking your neck out and blowing up your skin to make a big heart-shaped balloon?  All animals have their own special way to show their “love.”  Love happens daily in the animal kingdom. Some will make you blush, some will make you wonder, but most of all you must marvel at the intellect and wisdom of animals. This is no Tarzan and Jane affair! This an adults-only (21+) warm up to Valentine’s Day held on Saturday, February 4 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Focusing on the love lives of the Zoo’s animal residents, Ron Magill of the Miami Metrozoo will make you laugh out loud. Cost is $25 for FOTZ Members and $35 for Non-FOTZ Members. Cost includes the entertainment and Magill’s presentation, 2 drink tickets, heavy appetizers such as tomato basil soup shooters with petite grilled goat cheese sandwiches, delicious cupcakes, exclusive animal experiences with Nikita, the Polar Bear, and more. Click here for more information.

FEB 4:  Bingo Fundraiser for MoKan Greyhound Adoption (KCMO) – 1. Come early for GREYT seating! Bingo from 5-7pm; 2. Invite ALL your friends and your friends friends! 3.Ten Bingo games will be played. 10 cards/$10; 4. AWESOME prizes! 5. More fun than a barrel of Greyhounds! From 5:00pm-8:00pm at Hamburger Mary’s Kansas City (101 Southwest Blvd, KCMO 64108)

FEB 7-14:  Have a Heart for a Chained Dog Week

FEB 9:  Skinny Improv Night (Springfield, MO) – What could be better than an evening full of laughter – sweet treats – and teaming up to save lives with a great cause?!?! NOTHING!!  :)  Come out to the Killuminati Foundation’s February fundraiser at the Skinny Improv! Doors open at 7pm (Show starts at 8pm). Raffle Prizes – LOTS of laughter – and sweet treats provided byAlexandria’s Cupcake Cottage *Show will be “PG” for all ages to attend* Tickets NOW AVAILABLE!! $10 per person – limited seating available – tickets available online through PayPal at www.projectpuppy.org or at the box office prior to the show if not already sold out. Questions? Email us at inspirelives@yahoo.com

FEB 11:  Habitat for Paws Build-A-Thon (Merriam, KS) – Come help Habitat for Paws build a dog house for pet outreach (that means for dogs that live outside no matter what the weather). A few wonderful KC Pet Project volunteers and Heartland SPCA staff met to join forces in making this wonderful program happen. With combined resources from other organizations, we are now able to do this in a mass quantity with the goal is to provide these houses to as many dogs as possible. We will be constructing and giving dog houses to ANY program or person that may need them for outside dogs. Time: 7:00am to 10:00am; Location: 5428 Antioch Drive, Merriam, KS 66202.We are looking for as much support as possible before and on the building date. This first round of dog houses will be delivered on 2/14. For more info about the Build-A-Thon, the supply drive/materials needed, etc., visit Habitat For Paws Build-A-Thon event page on Facebook.

FEB 12:  Safety Pup Day

FEB 12:  Soulard Mardi Gras Beggin’ Pet Parade (St. Louis, MO) – Is your pet a party animal? Does he like costumes? And most importantly, does he like BACON? Well then get ready for one of the largest pet parades in the world! Whether or not your furry friend dresses up, join the thousands of pets as they take over the streets of Soulard to celebrate the 19th annual Beggin’ Pet Parade and “Tail”gating Party on Sunday, February 12th. Registration is $10 with all of the proceeds benefiting the Open Door Animal Sanctuary, a local shelter featuring dogs and cats of all ages and breeds, waiting to find their forever homes. There will also be plenty of other activities to help party patrons get an early start at celebrating Mardi Gras and the big game. Register and meet us at 10 a.m. at the corner of Menard and Allen in Soulard on Feb. 12th. The Parade steps off at 1:00pm There’s no time like Beggin’ time! Pet participants are subject to the approval of Mardi Gras, Inc. and the St. Louis Department of Animal Control based on appropriateness, temperament and health. Click here for more information, to download the parade map and to register!

FEB 12:  Soulard Mardi Gras 18th Annual PETsMART Wiener Dog Derby (St. Louis, MO) –  Dachshund lovers and their lovable companions descend upon Soulard Market Park for the 18th annual PETsMART Wiener Dog Derby. Inclusive of a tournament bracket, winners medals, racer pictures, and local radio talent to call the race. A combination of  large and small bleachers, event stage, race track, VIP area, and exhibitors make this the destination as the parade comes to an end. This event has developed into one of the most unique sporting events in the area. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. at the park and the first heat takes place at 2:00 p.m. The dachshunds race in three divisions based on age: Cocktail Wienies, Ballpark Franks, and Hot Dogs. The finals are followed by the trophy presentation ceremony in the Wiener’s Circle. $10 to register your Dachshund  Free to watch! Click here for more information and to register your Dachshund for this event.

FEB 12:  Hit it Hard for Homeless Pets benefit for Humane Society of Greater Kansas City (Leawood, KS & Lenexa, KS) – Join TITLE Boxing Club and support the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City by participating in an hour long boxing class. The class will teach you how to work out to a boxing routine while helping homeless pets! Cost is only $25, includes a t-shirt and hand wraps, and all fitness levels are welcome. Plus, TITLE will be offering discount memberships at the event. February 12th at 2pm – Leawood TITLE Boxing Club, 121st & State Line Rd, Leawood KS 66209 and February 19th at 2pm – Lenexa TITLE Boxing Club, 12842 West 87th Street, Lenexa KS 66215. Cost is only $25, includes a t-shirt and hand wraps and all fitness levels are welcome. For more info: Casey at 913-596-1000 x 115… Click here for more information

FEB 13-14:  Westminster Dog Show

FEB 14:  Pet Theft Awareness Day

FEB 17:  4th Annual Mardi Growl to benefit Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation (Kansas City) – SAVE THE DATE! The event will be at the Berg Event Space in the Crossroads District (1525 Grand, Kansas City, MO). Sponsorship Reception at 5:30, event begins at 6:30PM – Nominate the person you feel has done the most for the animals as the Mardi Growl King or Queen, be a part of our Puppy Mill Survivor Pet Parade, enjoy beads, the great sounds of Reunion Jazz, tarot card reading, face painting, “Howlicanes” and more! Tickets and info available online.

FEB 18:  Ask for a new shelter in KCMO at this open City Council budget meeting (KCMO) – Open to the public, 10am – noon. A representative from KCMO shelter will speak to the committee at the time that public comment is invited. Purpose of attending the upcoming budget meetings: to ask the council to put funding into the budget, and/or a bond measure on the August ballot to fund a new, state of the art animal shelter which will change sheltering in Kansas City MO for decades to come. The current shelter is nearly non-functional (built in ’73) and severely inadequate, and in fact, detrimental to the health and well being of the animals it is supposed to “shelter”, not to mention the hardship on the staff and volunteers, and the difficult access for the public. Those involved with the shelter are clear that this is an essential step to Kansas City becoming a national leader in no kill animal sheltering. If you are able to attend this meeting to show that solidarity, please do. Meeting location: Robert J. Mohart Multi-Purpose Center, 3200 Wayne, KCMO

FEB 18: 2nd Annual Zumbathon to benefit Humane Society of Greater Kansas City (KCMO) – Get your dancing shoes on and head over to the 2nd Annual Zumbathon® to Help Homless Pets in Kansas City! This event is for all Zumba levels – beginners and advanced! Bring your receipt (emailed to you after you complete your online registration) as your “ticket” to the event. Registration includes a free Humane Society T-shirt (available at the event, sizes Small-2XL, while supplies last)!  From 2pm – 4pm at Starlight Theatre in theHelzberg VIP Club (4600 Starlight Road; Park in Zebra lot, enter at Gate 8). Cost: $20 Advance tickets or $25 At the door. For more info: Casey at 913-596-1000 x 115  or Jennifer at 816-797-8305. Click here for more information

FEB 19-25:  National Justice for Animals Week

FEB 20:  Love Your Pet Day

FEB 22:  FDA Basics Webinar on Advice to Dog Owners Whose Pets Take NSAIDS – You probably take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen every day and don’t even think twice about it. NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, help us get rid of our weekend-warrior pains, osteoarthritis aches, and daily soreness. Did you know there are NSAIDs specifically-created and FDA-approved for your dog, cat, and horse? These NSAIDs also help get rid of your furry friends’ aches and pains. The NSAIDs we take can cause us to have side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fluid retention, kidney failure, liver failure, and ulcers. Unfortunately, the veterinary NSAIDs we give our furry friends can also cause them to have similar side effects. FDA will host a webinar “Advice to Dog Owners Whose Pets Take NSAIDs” on Wednesday, February 22 at 2:00 p.m. ET. We will discuss the broad overview of the science behind NSAIDs for pets, the potential side effects that are possible, and what you should do as a pet owner if you suspect your pet is having a reaction to veterinary NSAIDs. Click here to participate in the webinar.

FEB 19:  Hit it Hard for Homeless Pets benefit for Humane Society of Greater Kansas City (Leawood, KS & Lenexa, KS) – Join TITLE Boxing Club and support the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City by participating in an hour long boxing class. The class will teach you how to work out to a boxing routine while helping homeless pets! Cost is only $25, includes a t-shirt and hand wraps, and all fitness levels are welcome. Plus, TITLE will be offering discount memberships at the event. February 12th at 2pm – Leawood TITLE Boxing Club, 121st & State Line Rd, Leawood KS 66209 and February 19th at 2pm – Lenexa TITLE Boxing Club, 12842 West 87th Street, Lenexa KS 66215. Cost is only $25, includes a t-shirt and hand wraps and all fitness levels are welcome. For more info: Casey at 913-596-1000 x 115… Click here for more information

FEB 24: Spay-Ghetti & No Balls dinner to benefit Spay & Neuter Kansas City – SAVE THE DATE – Master of Ceremonies: Keith King, NBC Action News reporter; Guest Speaker: Author and columnist, Charles Guswelle. Dinner provided by PB&J; Ceremony, auction to follow. Time: 6:00pm to 9:00pm at JE Dunn Headquarters. Interested in buying a table, inviting friends or serving as an event table host?  Contact Julie Bredar (kcbredar@aol.com) or Gretchen Thum (gthum@kc.rr.com). For general information regarding event please email Betsy Gamble, Event Co-Chair (hubiedog@sbcglobal.net). For more information about Spay & Neuter KC, visit snkc.net

FEB 28:  Spay Day USA

FEB 29:  Leap Year Day

Tags: Chili Cook-off, Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter, kansas city zoo, Killuminati Foundation, Kiss & Tail, MAAL, Mardi Gras, Mardi Growl, Miami Metrozoo, Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, Nikita, Pet Dental Health Month, pet parade, Polar Bear, Responsible Pet Owners Month, Ron Magill, Skinny Improv, snkc, Soulard, Spay & Neuter Kansas City, Spay Day, st. louis, Valentine's Day