Animal lovers’ calendar: Weekend of Dec. 12-13 and beyond

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From dog shows to dancing, 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!

Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13, canine enthusiasts from all over the U.S. will descend on Long Beach for the 2009 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship dog show. It’s one of the biggest dog shows in the country, and it has a great deal to offer dog-loving spectators, from conformation, obedience, agility, retrieving and junior showmanship competitions to educational demonstrations. The show also features a Meet-the-Breeds event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, during which potential pet owners can learn from experts about the breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. For more information and scheduling or to purchase tickets, visit AKC.org.

Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13, get your pet’s photo taken with ‘Santa Claws’ at PetSmart in San Juan Capistrano, 33963 Doheny Park Road, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A photo package, which includes a holiday frame, will set you back $10.95 ($9.95 if you present your PetPerks card), and $5 from each purchase will be donated to the Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort (CARE), a local animal rescue group. More information at CapoAnimalRescue.com. (Thanks to reader Miss Picky for letting us know about this event!)

Sunday, Dec. 13, farm-animal sanctuary the Gentle Barn holds its Winter Wonderland event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its Santa Clarita facility, 15825 Sierra Highway. The event features hayrides, sledding (‘in real snow,’ its organizers note), food and, of course, a chance to meet the Gentle Barn’s rescued-animal residents. Cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children; more information and tickets available at GentleBarn.org.

Upcoming:

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 3rd Street Dance hosts a holiday dance party to benefit local rescue group The Amanda Foundation at its 8558 W. 3rd Street studio. Beginning salsa, tango and swing dance classes are offered from 7 to 8 p.m.; party starts at 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring a potluck item; cost is $12 payable at the door. More information at 3rdStreetDance.com.

Saturday, Dec. 19, local charity the Found Animals Foundation sponsors ‘Save a Stray for the Holidays,’ a low-cost adoption festival at 14 area animal shelters, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information and a list of participating shelters available in English and Spanish at FoundAnimals.org.

SpcaLA is taking reservations for its upcoming agility classes, which range from introductory training through competition-level advanced coursework. More information at spcaLA.com.

Ongoing:

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 tacky 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 brought 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 at Buffalo Exchange; mailing information is available at HSUS.org.) More information at BuffaloExchange.com.

Every first and third Sunday, meet adoptable pets from the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services shelters -- without having to set foot in a shelter -- at the department’s mobile pet adoption event at Moorpark Park, 12061 Moorpark Ave., Studio City. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Every second Saturday and third Sunday, the L.A. Department of Animal Services hosts a mobile pet adoption event at West Hollywood’s Petco, 508 N. Doheny Drive, from 1 to 5 p.m. Every third Sunday, the L.A. Department of Animal Services hosts a mobile pet adoption event at downtown pet store Pussy & Pooch, 564 S. Main St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

-- Lindsay Barnett