For those of you in the Denver area, the Front Range Agility Team is holding an American Kennel Club dog agility trial at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock, CO Friday June 11th through Sunday June 12th.

If you are in the neighborhood, stop in for this FREE event and check out local dog agility stars. Also, there will be a special attraction, the Retired Agility Run of Glory, to honor our four-legged friends that have retired from the sport. Online Dog Coach stars, Kelvin and Shiner, can’t wait to join in the fun!

Click here for directions to the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

As always, please do not bring dogs that are not entered and always remind kiddos to ask permission before approaching a dog.

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Donate to or volunteer at your local animal shelter or rescue group.

Support rescues and shelters

There are city and county run shelters in almost all communities. There are also many privately run shelters. Most will do their very best to avoid euthanasia, and use it only as a last resort when they are way too crowded. Many of the private shelters are no kill shelters, and they have to work extra hard for donations to feed and shelter all the critters that come their way.

In addition to shelters, there are rescue organizations for just about any breed of dog you might be interested in. These are run by a group of people generally with a special fondness for a specific breed.  Volunteers pick up dogs (or cats) from city or overcrowded shelters, and take them to their own vet for a good check-up. From there, the dog goes to a volunteer foster family to live until a permanent placement can be made.

Contact your local shelter or rescue group to find out how you can best help. They all need volunteers who can walk, clean, or even file paperwork! If you haven’t any money to give, donate used towels or blankets, cleaning supplies, or pet dishes and leashes you no longer need.

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Celebrate Be Kind to Animals Week, May second through eighth, by nominating a kid or teen who shows exceptional compassion toward animals in American Humane’s Be Kind to Animals Kid Contest.

Two grand prize winners will each receive one thousand dollars! Nominations must be received no later than April fifteenth, so nominate your kind kid today! Download a nomination form now and visit americanhumane.org for more information.

All winners and runners-up will be announced nationally during Be Kind to Animals Week, May 2-8, and featured on the American Humane website

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In just 10 months, 13-year-old Abby Jungers spent more than 700 hours volunteering at her local animal shelter, the St. Charles Humane Society in St. Peters, Mo. She cleans kennels, walks dogs, helps with heartworm tests, trains new volunteers, participates in mobile adoptions and more. Taking on even the least desirable tasks in the name of helping animals made her one of American Humane’s 2009 Be Kind to Animals Kid Contest grand prize winners.

Every year, American Humane conducts a national search for children who have shown dedication and outstanding effort in improving the lives and welfare of animals. Online Dog coach is joining in the search and linking you to nomination forms for your child.

Kids and animals have always had a special bond. “Thousands of kids in the United States are doing all kinds of creative things to make the world a better place for animals,” said George C. Casey, American Humane’s interim president and CEO. “We want to recognize their efforts and encourage others to follow their lead.”

Kind Kid nominees are divided into two age groups: Children (6-12) and Teens (13-17). Judges will select one grand prize winner and one runner-up from each age group. Grand prize winners will each win $1,000, and runners-up will each win $500. All winners and runners-up will be announced nationally during Be Kind to Animals Week, May 2-8, and featured on the American Humane website at www.americanhumane.org/bkaw

How to enter:  Nominations must include a 300-word description of how the child or teen has shown extraordinary compassion for animals. Other supporting materials, such as photographs and news clippings, are encouraged, but not required. Do not send videos. Nominations must be submitted online or received by mail by April 15, 2010. No purchase necessary. Complete contest rules and nomination forms can also be obtained on the American Humane website.

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