Pet Events

Kids & Canines Summer Camp June 29-July 1, 9am-3pm • Eau Claire County Expo Center, 5530 Fairview Dr. • ages 10-16 • $70 • 839-4712 • uwex.edu • This three-day summer camp presents dog health, nutrition, grooming, and responsible ownership to attendees, plus fun presentations on flyball, showmanship, service dogs and careers. Also included is a field trip to Bob’s House, a foster care facility for dogs. Participating dogs must not be aggressive and must be up-to-date with vaccinations.

emBARK After Dark First friday nights of summer, 7-9pm • emBARK, 2109 Fairfax Street, Eau Claire • FREE • 864-3263 • www.embarkdog.com • emBARK is Midwest Wisconsin’s hippest hangout for hounds, so come and learn why! The first Friday night of each summer month we will have a party for pooches and people. Watch our “Weiner Dog Racing Series” as the area’s dachshunds compete for the “fastest Weiner” title. Come out with your dog for some fun that only emBARK can provide!

4-H Small Pet Show occurring with the Eau Claire County Fair, late July-early August • FREE 839-4712 • During the Eau  Claire County Fair, pett owners in 4-H hold an informal pet show.

Chippewa Valley Outdoor Games Aug. 14, 6-9pm; Aug. 15, 9am-7pm; Aug. 16, 9am-5pm • Eau Claire Rod & Gun Club, 801 Schoettl Ave., Eau Claire • FREE • 1-888-523-3866 or 831-2345 • www.chippewavalleyoutdoorgames.com • Come out and see a wide variety of competitions featuring pets and humans. The competitions include: Lumberjack Competition, 5-Stand Shooting, Archery, Big Splash Dogs, Retrieving Series, Flyball, Agility Dogs, and Speed Balls.

Blessing of the Animals Service Sept 6, 10-10:45am • Phoenix Park, 175 Riverfront Terr., Eau Claire • FREE • 834-0690 • www.uucec.org • Bring your cats, dogs, gerbils and chinchillas. Bring your birds and turtles, teddy bears and other fuzzy stuffed animals. Living animals should be in cages or on leashes. Teddy bears and other soft, cuddly stuffed animals may be held in arms. This new service just might become one of our favorites!

Dog Swim Fest Sept. 7, noon-3pm • Fairfax Pool, 4200 Fairfax St., Eau Claire •  $10/dog, free for spectators • 839-1680 • The Fairfax Pool will be open exclusively to dogs; no humans allowed to swim on that day. All dogs must show proof of current vaccinations. All proceeds will go to benefit the Eau Claire Off-Leash Dog Park.

Pledge 4 Paws Dog Walk Sep. 26, 1pm • Irvine Park, Bridgewater Ave., Chippewa Falls • $20 single, $35 family • 382-4832 • www.chippewahumane.com • This annual event raises money for the Chippewa County Humane Association and features contests, games, demonstrations, and refreshments for pet owners and their companions.

Better in Show Mar. 5, 2010, 4-9pm • Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center, 3456 Craig Rd. • 839-4712 • www.eccha.org • This all-breed pet exposition is the only one of its kind in western Wisconsin. Put on by the Eau Claire County Humane Association, the event includes categories such as best dog tick, owner-dog look-alikes, unusual cats, and others (which has seen everything from reptiles to a miniature horse).

Indianhead Kennel Club Dog Show & Obedience Trials Apr. 17-18, 2010 • Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center, 3456 Craig Rd., Eau Claire • 552-12100 • www.indianheadkennelclub.org • This American Kennel Club-certified event draws as many as 1,000 dogs into competition for obedience, bet in breed best in group, and of course, best in show.

Doll and Pet Parade every May • Water St., Eau Claire • 1pm •  FREE • One of the highlights of this annual parade sponsored by the Water Street Merchants Association is the lines of children walking with their pets, often in costumes.

24th Annual Fido and Friends Fun Run May 15 2010, 10am • Carson Park, Carson Park Dr., Eau Claire • $20 •  839-4747 ext. 35 • www.eccha.org • Runners pledge money to benefit the Eau Claire County Humane Association. The Fido and Friends Fun Run is an annual fund raising event for the Eau Claire County Humane Association. In 2009 the even raised $20,500 and had more than 325 runners, both the most ever for the event. Registration starts at 9am, and registrants get a free t-shirt and dog tag.