Animal Humane Society open houses

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at the Animal Humane Society? Here's your chance.

Join society for open houses at all five of it locations where there will be activities for all ages.

Drop by on Saturday, Jan. 26 from noon to 4 p.m. for facilities tours plus special guests and activities for the whole family.

Featuring local authors and guest experts along with outdoor fun, the open house parties will be held at Buffalo, Coon Rapids, Golden Valley, St. Paul and the Woodbury campuses.

Visitors can learn how investigators pursue animal cruelty cases and rescue operations, see how "Animal Ambassadors" work with therapy dogs and learn about an outdoor sport growing in popularity — skijoring, Nordic skiing behind a dog.

Behavior experts from several animal rescue organizations will give advice on pet dogs, cats, rabbits and birds. For kids, activities include making fleece cat blankets and dog treats, origami, scavenger hunts and jelly bean games. Animal Ambassadors will demonstrate how they work with therapy dogs.

Woodbury open house, 9785 Hudson Road

Kids: Fleece blanket making

Inside:

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Storyteller/writer Kevin Kling, with his book “The Dog Says How” and Mary Ludington, art photographer with her book “The Nature of Dogs”

Noon to 2 p.m. Meet an Animal Ambassador and learn about therapy dogs

Noon to 4 p.m. Ask the Trainer your dog behavior questions

2:30 p.m. 4-H Rabbit Agility class

Outdoors: Skijoring with dogs demonstration

Golden Valley open house, 845 Meadow Lane North

Kids: Ongoing Fleece cat blanket making and educational talks

1:15 p.m. Pet ownership and care tips

2:15 p.m. All About Animals for kids

3:15 p.m. Animal Communication for kids

Indoor:

Behind-the-scene tours, dog training classes, meet Animal Ambassador and therapy dog

1:30 p.m. Dr. Michael Fox, internationally renowned veterinarian, columnist and lecturer

3 p.m. Storyteller/writer Kevin Kling, with his book “The Dog Says How” along with Mary Ludington, art photographer with her book “The Nature of Dogs”

12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Rabbit Agility demonstrations

Outdoor:

1, 2 and 3 p.m. Search and Rescue demonstration

1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Skijoring talk and outdoor demonstration

Buffalo open house, 4375 Highway 55 SE

Kids: Fleece cat blanket making, face painting, scavenger hunt

Indoor: Meet a Humane Investigator, behind-the-scene tours, bake sale and prizes

1 to 3 p.m. Animal Ambassadors with therapy dogs

Outdoor: Search & Rescue demonstrations from noon to 4 p.m.

Coon Rapids open house, 1411 Main Street NW

Kids: Jelly bean game, pet blanket making, origami, dog treat baking, rat races

Indoor: Meet a Humane Investigator and an Animal Ambassador with therapy dog, learn about healing touch for animals, behind-the-scenes tours

Outdoor: Search & Rescue demonstrations

St. Paul open house, 1115 Beulah Lane

Kids: Spin the wheel game with prizes

Indoor: Author Stacey Lewis on massage for dogs, Red Cross demonstration of First Aid for Pets, tours

Outside: Meet a St. Paul Police K-9 unit and learn how a dog sledder works with her dogs

For more information, visit the www.animalhumanesociety.org

or call (763) 432-4843.

Tags: animal, humane, society, open, house, ambassadors