Orange County Animal Shelter volunteer orientation is Thursday, 10-11:30 a.m. at the shelter, and an animal handling training session will be held Oct. 14, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Pre-registration is required. 967-7383.

Pig Pals of N.C. is holding a fundraiser festival Saturday, 4-7 p.m., with lots of children’s activities. Many wonderful pigs also will attend. RSVP by Monday to Penny Shumaker at pigpalsnc@yahoo.com or 219-7762. Volunteers are always needed to help feed Pig Pals’ miniature pigs. www.pigpals.com.

Party with the animals as the Animal Protection Society of Orange County (APS) presents The Jambalaya Jam on Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. at the APS Felicité Latané Sanctuary at 6311 Nicks Road in Mebane. The $12 cost covers food and drink, live music, a silent and live auction and a raffle. Call 304-2300 for tickets.

Independent Animal Rescue will hold adoptathons from 1 to 5 p.m. at PetSmart at Patterson Place on Oct. 7, 8, 15, 21 and 22.

Orange County Animal Shelter will have adoptable animals at Meadowmont’s Arthritis Walk, Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; at Meadowmont Club on Oct. 14; at Dubey’s at University Mall on Oct. 21; and at the PTA Thrift Shop in Chapel Hill on Oct. 28, all from noon to 2 p.m.

The Orange County APS will be at Phydeaux in Carrboro Oct. 14 and 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with adoptable dogs. www.animalprotectionsociety.org.

Orange County APS Dog Training Program fall classes begin soon. A schedule is at www.animalprotectionsociety.org or call 304-2300 ext. 233.

A free seminar, “What you need to know before you adopt a dog,” will be held Oct. 21, noon-1 p.m. at the APS Felicité Latané Sanctuary at 6311 Nicks Road in Mebane. 304-2300 x233.

The Finish Line Foundation is in desperate need of donations to help maintain the 19 horses, ages 18 months to 30-plus years, in its program. On Oct. 28 and 29, the foundation is hosting a “Barn-a-Thon,” and folks with any talents are welcome to help as well as those with plumbing, carpentry, and electrical abilities. Call Lynn Mitchell at 820-0755 or e-mail equivoc@peoplepc.com.

Hummingbird Farm will host an open house Oct. 15, 1-4 p.m. Owner Tera Thomas is offering “Beginning Animal Communication,” on Oct. 21 and 22 for $150, and “Living in Partnership,” on Oct. 28 and 29 for $200. On Nov. 4, the farm is having a Kidspace Family Day for children to meet animals and hear a story by the river. Cost is $5. www.hummingbirdfarm.org or 742-5929.

Wondering how your dog will adjust to your new baby? “Baby in the Dog’s House,” a seminar taught by Barbara Long, will help prepare prospective parents. The class will be offered on Oct. 18, 6-7:30 p.m. at the UNC Hospitals’ Women’s Health Information Center. Cost is $10 per couple or individual. Register at www.nchealthywoman.org or call 843-1759.

A six-day Tellington Touch Training with Companion Animals is scheduled for Oct. 15-20 at the Felicite Latane Animal Sanctuary in Mebane. To register, contact Jenn Merritt at jenn@bluedogk9.com or at 357-5396. Register online at www.ttouch.com.

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners needs volunteers to help in the design of the new Orange County Animal Shelter. For information go to www.co.orange.nc.us, call 245-2125 or e-mail mevans@co.orange.nc.us.

Oak Grove Animal Sanctuary is holding an open house Oct. 15, 2-5 p.m. Call 623-3135 for directions.

OCAS is sponsoring low-cost rabies clinics on Oct. 28, 1-2 p.m., at Piedmont Garden and Feed Center on N.C. 54 and at the Orange County Courthouse in Hillsborough; and on Nov. 4, 2-4 p.m. at the Orange County Animal Shelter in Chapel Hill. Cost is $5 cash. 967-7383.

Creative Learning About Wildlife Species (CLAWS), a nonprofit sanctuary, is running a Food for Fawn program accepting donations at Phydeaux, Dubey’s Pet World, Piedmont Feed & Garden Center and Max’s Dog Wash.

The $20 Fix from AnimalKind enables low-income pet owners in Orange, Durham, Wake and Person counties to spay-neuter pets for $20 or less. Applications are available by calling 870-1660 or at www.animalkind.org.

Carol dePoix, a professional animal communicator, is offering a Wisdom of the Horses workshop on Oct. 21 at Blue Skies Barn. For details, contact farm owner Pearson-Moyers at dpmblueskies@hotmail.com, or at 933-1444.

Low cost puppy classes taught by professional dog trainers are being offered in multiple locations. www.puppyproject.com or call 929-9115.

Free advice from professional dog trainer Jane Marshall, who also teaches group and private lessons, is offered at the Helpline for Dogs at 929-9115.

Jenn Merritt of Blue Dog Canine Coaching is offering group dog training classes at the Meadowmont Swim Clubhouse starting Oct. 7. 357-5396, jenn@bluedogk9.com or www.bluedogk9.com.