Lake County pets and nature
Events that involve pets and other animals, plants and nature, such as pet washes, adoption days, nature walks, microchipping, nature photography exhibits, nature tours, bird walks, calls for volunteers for nature-related work days, etc. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.
Aug. 29
Microchip Your Pet: Schedule a time on Saturday, Aug. 29, Loving Care Animal Clinic, 2633 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Have your pet safely identified with a permanent microchip that gets injected under the skin, that animal shelters, police departments and animal clinics can scan to identify the animal. Dogs, cats, horses, birds, reptiles and exotics can be chipped; $25 per pet. To schedule an appointment call (847) 670-8488.
Wild Onion Book Series: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 29, Green Youth Farm in Greenbelt Forest Preserve, on Green Bay Road, south of Belvidere Road, North Chicago. Discuss the book "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver, followed by a tour of the farm. $20 or $15 for Friends of Ryerson Woods members. To register, call (847) 968-3321 or visit LCFPD.org.
River cleanup: Meet at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, in the Welcome Center parking lot at Ryerson Conservation Area, 1950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods. Members of the Water TrailKeepers and Lake County Forest Preserve stewards will tackle a major cleanup effort along the Des Plaines River in Lake County. Members of the public over the age of 12 are encouraged to join in by helping to clear trash, nonnative invasive plants and other debris from the riverbanks. Volunteers will work until about noon. Call (847) 367-6640 or visit LCFPD.org.
Aug. 30
The Amazing AcroCats and Rock Cats: 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. See cats ride skateboards, rock out in a band and do other feats. $20; and children under 12 are $12. A portion of the proceeds will go to Save-A-Pet shelter in Grayslake. For information, call Save-A-Pet, at (847) 740-7788, or e-mail dkoonsszoke@yahoo.com.
Blessing of the Pets: 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, Millburn Congregational Church, 19073 W. Grass Lake Road, Lake Villa. All pets and owners are invited to an outdoor blessing. A photo is a welcome substitute for pets that aren't vaccinated, don't travel well or don't get along with their fellow creatures. For information, call John Storaasli, at (847) 209-6344, or visit millburnchurch.org.
Bird Banding: 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Aug. 30, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Watch Mark Spreyer, a licensed bird bander, measure, weigh and record data about resident and migratory birds. Birds are not caught in a predictable manner, so come prepared to hike the trails. Free. To register, (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org.
Sept. 1
Garden Club of Lake Zurich: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 22480 Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods. "The Gardeners's Gripe Book" will be presented by Carolyn Stein Stillman. All guests are welcome. Call (847) 487-1423.
Sept. 5
Fall Plant Sale: 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 5, Ela Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. The garden Club of Lake Zurich's annual Fall Plant sale will feature locally grown perennials and other plants. Call (847) 487-1423.
Ongoing
Pooch Pantry: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Lake County Animal Control, 29278 N. Highway 83, Mundelein. Accepting donations of dry and canned dog and cat food, treats and domestic bird food; gift cards for PetSmart, Petco, and Pet Supplies Plus; cat litter; resealable plastic bags; and pet welfare goods such as bowls and toys. The Pooch Pantry will be open for families in need from 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. For information, call (847) 566-1960.
Puppy Playtime: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturdays, Doggy Day Camp, Inc., 21212 W. Commercial Drive, Mundelein. Puppies 10 weeks to 6 months of age with proof of vaccinations can play with other puppies for free in a safe, off-leash environment. Puppies must be in good health and free from any contagious diseases within the past 30 days. Advance registration is required. For information, call (847) 970-6777 or visit DoggyDayCampInc.com.
Citizens for Conservation seed collection: Thursdays and Saturdays 9 -11 a.m.; and Sundays 3:30-5 p.m., 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Volunteers of all ages are invited to help collect seeds from a wide variety of native plants. (847) 382-7283.