• Orientation for the Orange County Animal Shelter, 1081 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., will be held Jan. 8, 10-11:30 a.m., and Jan. 15, 6-7:30 p.m. Training will be held Jan. 17, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Register by calling 967-7383 or e-mail sfallin@co.orange.nc.us.

• Cats and dogs from Paws4Ever will be at a pet adopt-a-thon at Phydeaux, 400- S. Elliott Road, Jan. 10, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 304-2337.

• The United States Equine Rescue League is in great need of help as they took in several horses over the Thanksgiving holiday. Foster, donate, adopt. www.userltriangle.org lists other ways to help.

• Adoptable dogs will be in the lobby at the Regal Timberlyne movie theater Jan. 16, 17, and 18, 1:30-4 p.m. during showings of "Doggie Hotel."

• New dog-training classes start at Paws4Ever on Jan. 19 and include basic manners for puppies and adults, agility, Canine Good Citizen, Therapy Dog, Rally-O, Flyball, and Canine Freestyle. www.paws4ever.org. dogtraining@paws4ever.org.

• Want to be tested to become a Therapy Dog Team? Therapy Dog International and Canine Good Citizen testing will be held Jan. 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Carolina Meadows. Cost is $10. Dog must have current rabies vaccination. To schedule a test contact Lisa Gamache at 370-7158 or e-mail list@carolinameadows.net.

• A local chapter of Therapy Dog International has started. Anyone currently certified through them may join. Contact Lisa Gamache at 370-7158 or e-mail lisa@carolinameadows.net.

• Independent Animal Rescue is holding a dog adopt-a-thon at PetSmart in Patterson Place Jan. 11 and 25, 2-4 p.m. Adoptable IAR cats can be seen every day when the Patterson Place PetSmart is open and at adopt-a-thons Jan. 4, 10, 11, 24 and 31, 1-4 p.m. www.animalrescue.net, animalrescue@mindspring.com.

• Piedmont Wildlife Center is offering school intersession camps for ages 5-12, throughout the year. On Jan. 19 is Animal Care Camp. A complete winter and spring schedule is at www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org/intersession_camp. 489-0900.

• Pig Pals of NC, a non-profit rescue and adoption program for miniature pigs near Chapel Hill, needs foster homes. Go to www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC36.html for photos and videos. E-mail Penny Shumaker Jeffrey, executive director of Pig Pals of NC, at pigpalsnc@yahoo.com. 219-7762. www.pigpals.com.

• The Goathouse Refuge at 680 Alton Alston Road in Pittsboro has many cats and kittens seeking permanent homes. The refuge is open Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Volunteers are needed. www.goathouserefuge.org. 542-6815.

•The Spay Neuter Assistance Program of North Carolina (SNAP-NC), a non-profit mobile unit, offers low-cost spay/neuter services. For feral cats, a special program is in place that costs $50, which includes everything related to surgery, pain meds and vaccines. www.snap-nc.org, info@snapnc.org, 783-7627.

• Freedom Train Animal Rescue Transports provides free transportation to take animals from high kill shelters and neglectful situations and send them to approved rescues and forever homes. Volunteer drivers are needed. www.freedomtraintransports.com.

• Chatham County Animal Control and Chatham Animal Rescue and Education, Inc. both offer $20 spay/neuter vouchers, good at several veterinary practices, to qualifying Chatham County residents. Call the shelter at 542-7203 or C.A.R.E. at 542-5757.

• The North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center, on Nicks Road in Mebane, offers horseback riding to adults and children with special needs. Winter session begins mid-January. www.nctrc-riders.org, 304-1009.

• Heads Up! Therapeutic Riding Program in Pittsboro offers riding lessons to the general public. The fees from these lessons help to support its programs for disabled children. www.headsuptrp.org, 542-6207.

• Pet Overpopulation Patrol, a mobile clinic, offers low cost spay/neuter and pet wellness services. Chapel Hill surgery dates are Jan. 5, 12, 19 and 26. Pittsboro's date is Jan. 27. Call 942-2250 for appointment. www.pop-nc.com. Feral cats welcome.

• Carolina Meadows is in need of dog therapy team volunteers to visit its long-term care nursing residents. Contact Lisa Gamache at 370-7158 or at lisa@carolinameadows.net.

• Proofs of purchase from Southern States Feed can be donated to the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center, which is reimbursed for them. Mail them to NCTRC, PO Box 62572, Durham, NC 27715.

• Turn your pet photo into a work of art on paper or canvas and help Oak Grove Animal Sanctuary (OGAS), a local cat sanctuary. The founder of OGAS owns a large format printing business and is donating all proceeds from the sale of art reproductions (pets or not) to OGAS. Details are at www.digitalgraphicsandmore.com, or call 304-1049.

• Creative Learning About Wildlife Species, CLAWS, is seeking donations of wood for building enclosures. The non-profit gives educational programs to any groups interested and is part of the service learning hours program for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school district. Mrs.claws@nc-claws.org. www.nc-claws.org.

• THE $20 FIX from AnimalKind enables low-income pet owners in Orange and Chatham to spay/neuter pets for $20 or less. Donations can be made and applications found at www.animalkind.org or call 870-1660. Volunteers are needed.

• Free dog behavior helpline, run by professional dog trainer Jane Marshall, gives free advice to people having canine issues. 929-9115.

• Volunteer for Paws4Ever and assist in animal socialization, dog training, and adopt-a-thons. volunteertraining@paws4ever.org.

• Bayou Rescue is seeking volunteers and donations to support local Red Cross clients who have pets. Two families whose homes burned received assistance from BR in December. Services provided by this non-profit include searching for pets who are lost during disasters, replacing pet items destroyed, providing assistance with boarding while the family seeks to relocate, and assisting with veterinary bills for animals injured in disaster. Volunteers are needed to help with case management, fundraising, and community outreach. E-mail info@bayourescue.org. www.bayourescue.org.

Compiled by Deborah R. Meyer