Southern California animal lovers calendar: Weekend of Jan. 15-16 and beyond

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Whether you want to adopt a new pet, see humpback whales as they migrate south, attend a concert that benefits animals or enjoy some wine for a good cause, this weekend and the weeks to come are full of events sure to appeal to you. Think we’re forgetting something or want to let us know about your event? Leave a comment on this post or send us a tweet @LATunleashed.

This Weekend:

Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 15-16, Cabrillo National Monument invites the public to its annual Whale Watch and Intertidal Life Festival, which celebrates the return of migrating humpback whales to Baja California, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Beyond whale-watching, the event includes guest speakers, exhibitbooths and film viewings. Event is free with regular park admission of $5 per vehicle, $3 for walkers and cyclists. More information at The Times’ outdoor sports blog, Outposts.

Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 15-16, Best Friends Animal Society and the L.A. Department of Animal Services host a pet-adoption event at the city of L.A.’s Northeast Valley animal shelter, 15321 Brand Blvd. in Mission Hills, from noon to 4 p.m. both days. The Northeast Valley shelter is typically closed to the public and is used primarily as a care center for nursing dogs and cats and their offspring and a place to house shelter animals in need of quarantine. But beginning this weekend, it will offer monthly adoption events for the animal services department’s homeless dogs, cats and rabbits. More information, photos of pets who will be present at the event and directions at BestFriends.org.

Saturday, Jan. 15, animal lovers around the world are participating in an unofficial Worldwide Day of Action for the Dolphins of Taiji, Japan, the subject of the documentary ‘The Cove.’

Saturday, Jan. 15, the L.A. Department of Animal Services hosts a mobile pet-adoption event at Balboa Park, 17015 Burbank Blvd. in Encino, from noon to 4 p.m. See photos of adoptable pets at LAAnimalServices.com.

Saturday, Jan. 15, performer Robert Davi sings the songs of Sinatra with a 50-piece orchestra at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza’s Fred Kavli Theater, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., beginning at 8 p.m. Attendees can have 20% of the price of their tickets donated to local animal charity The Amanda Foundation by using the password ‘Amanda’ when purchasing online through Ticketmaster or by mentioning The Amanda Foundation when buying tickets at the Fred Kavli Theater’s box office. Tickets range in price from $31 to $146. More information at AmandaFoundation.org.

Sunday, Jan. 16, bring your dog along when you dine at Pink Taco at the Westfield Century City mall, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., for Pink Taco Doggy Day from noon to 4 p.m. The event, which benefits local animal charity spcaLA, includes pet-themed vendors, a play area for dogs, pet photos, adoptable animals and complimentary treats for dogs. For the imbibers among us, special drinks are $8 ‘doggy style’ margaritas and $15 ‘dog bowl’ margaritas.

Sunday, Jan. 16, Learn About Wine presents a dog-friendly wine-tasting event at 521 Molino Street in downtown L.A.’s arts district, from 1 to 4 p.m. The event includes tastings of a wide selection of wines; a chance for your dog to sample from Pussy & Pooch’s Paw Bar treats; a professional pet photographer; a silent auction; food trucks and a complimentary cheese bar. Cost is $45 with advance registration (pre-registered guests will be upgraded to VIP entry and receive a well-stocked gift bag) or $60 at the door. This event benefits the Found Animals Foundation and Clinico, local charities that help needy shelter animals and provide low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for the pets of low-income owners. For more information or to register, visit the event page at Cvent.com.

Upcoming:

Friday-Sunday, Jan. 21-23, writer-actress Katya Lidsky performs ‘I’m Sorry’ at the Lounge Theater, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd. in L.A., with show beginning at 8 o’clock each night. The show is billed as ‘a one-woman play about how a people-pleasing apologist became an animal-loving activist.’ Tickets are $10 if purchased online through Plays411.net and $15 at the door.

Saturday, Jan. 22, the L.A. Department of Animal Services hosts mobile pet-adoption events at the Redondo Beach Petco location, 537 N. Pacific Coast Highway, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; at the Canoga Park PetSmart location, 21311 Victory Blvd., from noon to 4 p.m.; and at the West Hollywood Petco location, 508 N. Doheny Drive, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 22, the City of Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau invites the public to an open house at its shelter facility, 7700 E. Spring St., from 10 a.m. to noon. The shelter saw its adoption rate increase in 2010; the open house will highlight that accomplishment, as well as the achievements of Long Beach residents and charities in the field of animal welfare over the past year. The event also includes tours of the facility, information about the bureau’s programs and refreshments. More information at LongBeach.gov.

Saturday, Jan. 22, local rescue group the Bark Avenue Foundation hosts a mobile pet adoption event at Los Feliz pet store For Pets Only, 1903 Hillhurst Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See the group’s available dogs and cats at its website.

Sunday, Jan. 23, the L.A. Department of Animal Services hosts a mobile pet-adoption event at Moorpark Park, 12061 Moorpark Ave. in Studio City, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 29, the L.A. Department of Animal Services hosts a mobile pet-adoption event at the Northridge Petco location, 8800 Tampa Ave., from noon to 4 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 30, the L.A. Department of Animal Services hosts a mobile pet-adoption event at Centinela Feed & Pet Supply in Rancho Palos Verdes, 28901 Western Ave., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 5, the Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort (CARE) and the San Juan Capistrano Rotary team host the 8th annual CARe Show, a car show that benefits both CARE’s pet rescue efforts and the Rotary club’s work with Orange County youth and military families. The event also includes live music, vendors and a disc dog demonstration. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. Motorcycle riders can also participate in the Dr. Cortese Poker Run, a ride from Orange County Harley-Davidson through the back country of Orange County that ends at the CARe Show site. Registration for the Poker Run includes lunch and admission to the CARe Show. For more information or to register your vehicle for exhibition, go to CapoAnimalRescue.com.

Wednesday, Feb. 9, pet-services company Bark & Clark offers a Valentine’s Day-themed ‘Pooch Parade’ training session designed to help dogs become more calm and focused while walking through L.A.’s bustling downtown. The ‘walking workshop’ takes participants and their dogs on an informative tour of downtown L.A., finishing up with a visit to Pussy & Pooch’s Paw Bar treat station and the dog-friendly veranda of Portofino Cucina. Event begins at 7 p.m. Cost is $40 and advance registration is required. For more information or to register, visit BarkAndClark.com.

Sunday, Feb. 13, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn. presents ‘Sex and the City Zoo,’ a lecture about love in the animal kingdom just in time for Valentine’s Day, at its Witherbee Auditorium. The event begins with a wine-and-chocolate reception from 5 to 6 p.m., with the hourlong lecture to follow. This event is designed for adults only. Cost is $25 for zoo members and $35 for non-members. For more information or to register online, visit LAZoo.org.

Ongoing:

The L.A. Department of Animal Services offers low-cost vaccination, microchipping and licensing clinics every first Thursday at its Harbor animal shelter; every second Tuesday at its North Central animal shelter; every third Tuesday at its South L.A. animal shelter; every fourth Tuesday at its East Valley animal shelter; and every fourth Thursday at its West Valley animal shelter. All clinics begin at 4:30 p.m. and end at 6:30 p.m. More information and pricing in PDF format at LAAnimalServices.com.

Every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the L.A. Department of Animal Services hosts a mobile pet-adoption event at the Van Nuys Petco location, 5850 Sepulveda Blvd.

Every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Volunteers for the Burbank Animal Shelter host a mobile pet-adoption event at Centinela Feed & Pet Supplies, 1505 W. Olive Ave. in Burbank. See photos of adoptable dogs and cats at the Burbank Animal Shelter’s website.

Every Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Dawg Squad Animal Rescue hosts a mobile dog-adoption event at Centinela Feed & Pet Supplies, 7600 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in Westchester. See photos of adoptable pets at DawgSquad.org.

Every Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., Kinder 4 Rescue hosts a mobile dog-adoption event at Book Star, 12136 Ventura Blvd. (just west of Laurel Canyon) in Studio City. See photos of adoptable pets at the group’s Petfinder page.

Every Saturday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Forte Animal Rescue hosts a mobile dog-adoption event at Centinela Feed & Pet Supplies, 3860 S. Centinela Ave. See photos of adoptable pets at the group’s AdoptAPet.com page.

Every second Saturday, spcaLA hosts ‘PAWS to Read’ at the Hermosa Beach Library, 550 Pier Ave., from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Through the program, young readers can practice their skills by reading to a decidedly nonjudgmental audience: certified therapy dogs. Due to limited time and availability of dogs, spcaLA recommends that parents or guardians register their children in advance by calling (310) 379-8475 to ensure a spot. More information at spcaLA.com.

Every fourth Saturday, spcaLA hosts ‘PAWS to Read’ at the Redondo Beach Public Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Highway, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Participation is free; sign-up begins at 9 a.m. at the Children’s Information Desk. More information at spcaLA.com.

Every Sunday, Animal Acres offers hourlong guided tours of its Acton facility at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Visitors can meet Animal Acres’ resident cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens and other animals and learn about the sanctuary’s work. Cost is $5 per person over age 3. More information at AnimalAcres.org.

Every Sunday, the Gentle Barn invites the public to visit the rescued horses, donkeys, cows, pigs, llamas, sheep, goats, turkeys, chickens and other animals that call its Santa Clarita sanctuary home. The rescue farm is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (except in case of rain), and guests are welcome to bring a meat-free picnic lunch. A $5 donation per guest is requested. More information and directions at GentleBarn.org.

Every second Sunday, Evidence of Love Animal Care hosts a mobile pet-adoption event at the Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Recreation Center, 14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 130 dogs and cats from area animal shelters and rescue groups come out to meet potential adopters -- oh, and there’s a gourmet food truck, too. More information at EvidenceOfLove.org.

-- Lindsay Barnett

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