There will be a Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest at PetSmart in Oak Ridge on Saturday, October 30.
The contest is presented by the Anderson County Animal Shelter and the County Mayor’s Office, a press release said.
It will begin at 11 a.m. that day. Registration for the contest will begin at 10:15 a.m. under the tent in the parking lot, the press release said.
PetSmart is at 203 Main Street in Oak Ridge.
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Explore Oak Ridge will host the second annual Cars for Canines event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, August 21, at Melton Lake Park.
The event will consist of a car show sponsored by Summer Knights Cruisers, food trucks, live music, vendors, demonstrations, and pet-friendly fun all to benefit the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter and Anderson County Humane Society, a press release said.
This event is free, and everyone is welcome, including your four-legged friends, the press release said.
Car show registration is $20 and begins at 10 am. All classic cars, hot rods, and motorcycles are welcome to enter. Awards will be given to the top 25 vehicles and door prizes will be given during the event for registered vehicles, the release said.
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Grace Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge will celebrate its 18th Annual Pet Fest and Blessing on Saturday, October 5.
“This year’s event will provide a chance to spend an enjoyable afternoon with your pet while you gather important information about the services and associations available to pets and their owners,” a press release said.
The Blessing of the Animals will be held in the pavilion behind the church at 4 p.m. The church will also hold a bake sale, rummage sale, and silent auction to raise funds for all the participating rescue groups. Boy Scouts and other volunteers will walk your pet while you shop, the press release said.
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The annual Puppy Pool Party is scheduled for Sunday, August 18.
The Puppy Pool Party is scheduled the day after the season ends at the city’s Outdoor Pool on Providence Road. The last day for open swim at the pool will be Saturday, August 17, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. The Puppy Pool Party will take place on Sunday, August 18, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“This is the fourth year for the puppy pool party, an event that marks the end of the summer swimming season at the outdoor pool,” a press release said. “Owners may only wade in water up to knee deep and must clean up after their pet.”
Children are not allowed in the pool during the event, the press release said.
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Note: This story was last updated at 12:45 p.m. July 26.
A $2.8 million animal shelter is planned in Anderson County, possibly inside the city of Clinton.
The current animal shelter is on Blockhouse Valley Road in the Claxton community. It has 12 dog runs and 12 cat cages. It’s a 720-square-foot animal holding facility, the first in the county, and it cost about $25,000 to build. It was built by the county on county property with help from local contractors and inmate labor. It opened in the fall of 2015, about six months after Anderson County Commission approved an animal task force, said former Anderson County Commissioner and Oak Ridge resident Robin Biloski, who has helped lead the animal shelter project, including through fundraising.
“It was little, but it spoke volumes,” Biloski said during an unveiling ceremony for the plans for the new shelter at Calhoun’s restaurant in Oak Ridge on Thursday evening.
The new shelter would be much larger than the current facility. It would be more than 10,800 square feet, including about 2,900 square feet for kennels. It could have 20 dog kennels—30 total including kennels for animals that need to be quarantined and for miscellaneous animals such as pigs—and space for 20 to 30 cats, said Brian Porter, Anderson County Animal Control and Shelter Director.
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A dog enjoys the Puppy Pool Party at the Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)
The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host a Puppy Pool Party after the city’s Outdoor Pool closes for the season. The last day for open swim will be Saturday, August 18, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. The puppy pool party will take place on Sunday, August 19, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
This is the third year for the puppy pool party, an event which marks the end of the summer swimming season at the outdoor pool. Owners may only wade in water up to knee deep and must clean up after their pet. Children are not allowed in the pool during the event. [Read more…]
The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Belgrade Road is pictured above. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)
Animal adoption fees will be lower at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Saturday, August 18.
The Animal Shelter is participating in the nationwide “Clear the Shelters†pet adoption event that day.
“Reduced adoption fees of $55 will be available all day as staff work to find a forever home for each adoptable animal at the shelter,” a press release said.
Animal shelters all over the U.S. are teaming up as part of the effort to find loving homes for pets in need, the press release said. This is the fourth year for the event. Oak Ridge is one of three animal shelters in East Tennessee to commit to the cause so far this year, the said. [Read more…]
Pictured above is a rendering by Johnson Architecture of the new facility at Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue in Anderson County. (Submitted image)
Animals to get new home after devastating December fire
After a devastating fire last December, plans to rebuild the Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue started quickly since the surviving animals and new rescues would need a permanent home. Knoxville-based Johnson Architecture volunteered to donate its time to design a new structure for the nonprofit organization, a press release said.
“Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue is such a valuable part of our community, and we wanted to give back in their time of need and thank them for all that they do to provide a loving home for rescue animals,†said Daryl Johnson, president of Johnson Architecture.
The new design recently was revealed to the organization’s donors, sponsors, and supporters.
The facility, which will be built on the foundation of the former structure in Anderson County, will feature 5,600 square feet of interior space; a 1,700-square-foot mezzanine; front and rear porches; and 4,200 square feet of open-air, covered storage. It will include a bird aviary, reptile viewing area, and eight stalls to house a variety of animals. [Read more…]
Claxton resident Leo York, right, presents Claxton Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dusty Sharpe with a pet rescue kit used to treat small animals and house pets suffering from smoke inhalation and other medical emergencies. (Submitted photo)
Claxton firefighters are better equipped to handle emergencies involving house pets thanks to a donation from a local resident and pet owner.
Leo York donated the pet non-rebreather oxygen masks to the Claxton Volunteer Fire Department after viewing a video of firefighters in Bakersfield, California, reviving a small dog suffering from smoke inhalation, a press release said.
“While it is understood that human life will always be the most pressing priority, having the tools to aid our fur friends will make our fire station even better equipped to serve the community†said York, who donated the rescue kit, which contains masks for both small and large pets. [Read more…]
Sammie Harris blessing a small dog at the 2016 Pet Fest and Blessing. (Submitted photo)
Grace Lutheran Church will celebrate its 16th Annual Pet Fest and Blessing on Saturday, October 7.
“This year’s event will provide a chance to spend a productive day with your pet while you gather important information about the services and associations available to pets and their owners,” a press release said.
The Blessing of the Animals is held in the pavilion behind the church at 4 p.m. The church will also hold a Bake Sale, Rummage Sale, and Silent Auction to raise funds for all the participating rescue groups. Boy Scouts and other volunteers will walk your pet while you shop.
Activities will take place from 1-5 p.m. and parking will be available for the mobility-impaired at the church or in the Woodland Elementary School parking lot behind the church.
“If you’ve been looking for a new pet, you will meet representatives from numerous pet adoption agencies, some of whom will bring animals that are available for fostering or adoption,” the press release said. [Read more…]
A dog enjoys the Puppy Pool Party at the Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road in 2016. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)
Reminder: The Second Annual Puppy Pool Party is today at the Oak Ridge Outdoor Municipal Swimming Pool on Providence Road today (Saturday, August 19).
The Puppy Pool Party is hosted by the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department. It’s scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. today.
The last day for public swimming was yesterday (Friday, August 18).
“This is the second year for the puppy pool party, an event which marks the end of the summer swimming season at the outdoor pool,” a City of Oak Ridge press release said. “Owners may only wade in water up to knee deep and must clean up after their pet. Children are not allowed in the pool during the event.” [Read more…]
A dog enjoys the Puppy Pool Party at the Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road in 2016. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)
The Second Annual Puppy Pool Party is at the Outdoor Municipal Swimming Pool on Saturday, August 19.
It’s scheduled for the day after public swimming ends for the season. The last day for public swimming will be Friday, August 18, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. The puppy pool party will take place on Saturday, August 19, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Puppy Pool Party is hosted by the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department.
“This is the second year for the puppy pool party, an event which marks the end of the summer swimming season at the outdoor pool,” the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release. “Owners may only wade in water up to knee deep and must clean up after their pet. Children are not allowed in the pool during the event.” [Read more…]
