Show love during Be Kind to Animals Week

Hawaiian Humane Society

Be Kind to Animals Week, which begins today and continues through Saturday, is the oldest celebrated "week" in the nation.

Heather Huitt and her son Tobin, 2, give a calico cat some attention in the Hawaiian Humane Society's cat house.

Here are five ways to show your concern for animals:

• Teach your children well. Gather some young people for a trip to the zoo or animal shelter. Organize a storytime centered on an animal book and have everyone talk about their feelings for animals. Discuss how animals should be treated.
• Be extra kind to your own pets: Play with the cat, take the dog for a walk or to a doggie park for some off-the-leash fun, teach your rabbit a new trick, make a maze for your mouse.
• Place an ID tag on your pet's collar or have a microchip ID implanted by a veterinarian. An ID will assist your lost pet in getting home safe. And it's easier than teaching them to talk!
• Have your pets spayed or neutered and encourage others to do so for their pets. Affordable spay and neuter operations are offered by 35 local veterinarians through the Neuter Now program, and the Hawaiian Humane Society neuters feral cats at no charge.
• Do something to help those who care for homeless animals at the Hawaiian Humane Society. Needed items: Bath-size towels, pet treats, dog and cat toys; the shelter also can use office supplies, 35mm film, laundry detergent and postage stamps. Volunteers are needed, too, if you can devote three hours a day twice a week or more.

Animal activities

• Today through May 10: Winning entries in the Be Kind to Animals poster contest are on display at the Windward Mall in Kane'ohe.

• May 12 and 13: PetExpo at Blaisdell Center. Displays, demonstrations, activities. Bring the family, including pets. Free.

MEW Tag No. 26915 The little superhero has come to save the day! Mew is a 2-year-old female tiger cat with bright white accents on her nose, neck and chest and charming white socks on all four feet. Got toys? This cat is interested! Mew is litter-box trained and likes grownups and children. Come and meet her in Room 1 at the — you should excuse the expression — cat house.		COCO Tag No. 92689 This purebred chocolate lab never did anything to hurt anyone but was abused by his former owner. Now 3 years old, this handsome male dog is healthy and happy despite his difficult past. He walks well on a leash, sits, stays and lies down on command and seeks a loving home. See him in Kennel 1. Hawaiian Humane Society hours: noon-8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends. Animals shown were available for adoption at press time; if they're adopted, there are plenty more to choose from. For more information, call 946-2187.