Animal lovers’ calendar: Weekend of Jan. 16-17 and beyond

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From partying with koalas to pet adoption, Southern California animal lovers have a lot to look forward to over the coming days and weeks. We’ve got the details on a number of upcoming events; let us know if we’re missing something by leaving a comment!

This Weekend:

Friday-Monday, Jan. 15-18, the San Diego Zoo hosts Koalapalooza, its celebration of Australian animals including koalas (naturally), kangaroos and kookaburras. Activities include ‘Aussie Outback’ tours, demonstrations from zoo researchers and veterinarians, opportunities to meet Australian animals, live music and face painting. Plus, you can enter the zoo’s contest to choose a name for its youngest koala! More information at the zoo’s website.

Saturday, Jan. 16, the L.A. Department of Animal Services holds a mobile adoption event at the West Hollywood Petco location, 508 N. Doheny Dr., from 1 to 5 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 17, the L.A. Department of Animal Services hosts mobile adoption events at Centinela Feed & Pet Supplies’ Rancho Palos Verdes location, 28901 Western Ave., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and at Studio City’s Moorpark Park, 12061 Moorpark St., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Upcoming:

Saturday, Jan. 23, the L.A. Department of Animal Services holds a mobile adoption event at the Torrance PetSmart location, 3855-59 Sepulveda Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 23, spcaLA hosts PAWS to Read at the Redondo Beach Public Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Highway, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Through the PAWS to Read program, children practice their reading skills by reading to a decidedly non-judgmental audience: certified therapy dogs. Participation is free; sign-up begins at 9 a.m. at the Children’s Information Desk. More information at spcaLA.com.

Sunday, Jan. 24, the L.A. Department of Animal Services holds a mobile adoption event at the Encino Farmers Market, 17400 Victory Blvd., from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 28, pet expert and radio host Warren Eckstein will appear at Westwood’s pet-friendly Hotel Palomar, 10740 Wilshire Blvd., from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Eckstein will answer questions about pet training and behavior, and refreshments will be served. Admission is free, but advance registration is required. Dogs are welcome. For more information or to make a reservation, visit Eckstein’s website.

Saturday, Jan. 30, spcaLA hosts a low-cost vaccination and microchip clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village and Education Center, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach. The clinic will offer rabies vaccinations for cats and dogs ($5); DHPP vaccinations for dogs ($15); bordetella vaccinations for dogs ($10); FVRCP and leukemia vaccinations for cats ($15 each); and microchipping for cats and dogs ($25). More information at spcaLA.com.

Ongoing:

Through Feb. 5, L.A. art gallery Thinkspace plays host to the group exhibit ‘A Cry For Help,’ which features more than 100 artists’ animal-themed works. According to our sister blog Brand X, Thinkspace ‘encouraged each artist to weave animal imagery into their work with the aspiration of filling the Silver Lake gallery like a cabinet of natural curiosities.’ The best part: 20% of proceeds will be donated to Born Free USA and the Animal Protection Institute. More information at the gallery’s website.

Through Earth Day, April 22, 2010, secondhand-clothing store chain Buffalo Exchange and the Humane Society of the United States jointly host ‘Coats for Cubs.’ Animal lovers are encouraged to clean out their closets (or parents’ and grandparents’ closets) and donate any real-fur items found there (including fur trim, accessories and shearling) back to the animals. Of course, it’s too late to give the fur back to its original owner, but it can still be used as bedding for orphaned and injured wildlife -- and it doesn’t do your conscience any harm either. Fur in any condition is accepted and can be taken to any Buffalo Exchange location. (If you’d like to claim your fur donation as a tax deduction, you’ll need to mail it directly to the Humane Society rather than dropping it off at Buffalo Exchange; mailing information is available at HSUS.org.) More information at BuffaloExchange.com.

-- Lindsay Barnett

duh.) Credit: Torsten Blackwood / AFP/Getty Images