BayTails

Dan Piraro of 'Bizarro' fame makes a rare stage appearance - he's at the Purple Onion to benefit Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary on February 22. Details at www.bizarro.com.

Patrick McDonnell returns to Books Inc. in Alameda to present his latest picture book featuring the characters from "Mutts," Hug Time. Jules the kitten is so filled with love he travels the world hugging everyone in his path.

Between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on this evening a portion of all sales will benefit the animals at the East Bay SPCA. Books Inc., 1344 Park Street, Alameda. For more information, please call: 510.522.2226

Pets Unlimited celebrates its 60th anniversary October 14 with an animal-themed gala at Herbst Theatre in San Francisco -- including Yorkie lover Amy Tan narrating Saint-Saëns' "Carnival of the Animals." Don't miss out! Get tickets and info here.

Calling all pet lovers! Grab your friends, pack up the kids (and the dog) and come to the 2nd Annual Bay Area Pet Fair & Adoptathon, a weekend of fun, education, entertainment, products and services for pets and hundreds of adoptable animals.

Experience canine performance demonstrations, contests, vendor exhibits, expert speakers, a Kids’ Pavilion, and the centerpiece of the event, a multi-agency Adoptathon. Last year, more than 150 animals found new forever homes during the Pet Fair! This year’s Fair features “The Other Dog Show,” a dazzling display of street mutts, shelter dogs and cast-off purebreds competing for the title of “Best In Show.”

The Pet Fair’s huge Adoptathon includes over 30 regional animal shelters and rescue groups bringing dogs, cats, rats, rabbits and other pets available for adoption. This is a wonderful opportunity for potential adopters to meet the right animal for their home and family.

Registration and info here.

Downloadable discount coupon here.

If you're expecting a new human addition to your family, don't leave the canine relationship-building to chance. This popular class at the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society helps get things off to a good start. Find out more here.

All-day workshop at Marin Humane Society, followed by reception and book-signing at Toby's Feed Barn in Point Reyes Station.

World-renowned ethologist and author Dr. Marc Bekoff will captivate attendees as he shares his unique exploration of animals as emotional beings, and the ways in which their social encounters inform our understanding of cooperation, forgiveness and morality among all beings. Throughout his work, Bekoff challenges the idea that science and the ethical treatment of animals are incompatible.

Registration and info...

BayTails calendar

Diane Allevato, MHS executive director, will speak at the San Francisco Commonwealth Club on Tuesday, May 29 about “Planning for Animal Care During a Disaster: Lessons Learned From Katrina.” The Marin Humane Society coordinated a massive airlift of 2,500 cats and dogs out of areas that were ravaged by Hurricane Katrina to shelters in Northern California. Diane will discuss some of the issues that first responders face in rescuing animals and in sheltering animal refugees, as well as what people with pets should do to prepare and the animal rescue challenges that will face the region. More info here.