"It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes a community to save shelter animals."

On September 24th and 25th, two community groups are doing their part to help Ventura County Animal Services promote shelter adoptions and save animals.

As part of the shelter's Rub-A-Belly Adoption Weekend, the country western group "Cari and the Black Rose Band" will be playing at the shelter on September 24th from noon to 4pm.

On September 25th, "Mari and the Gypsydancers" will be "dancing for the dogs" at 1pm.

Both Cari and Mari contacted the shelter and asked how they could lend their particular talents to help rehome the shelter's many adoptable dogs, cats, rabbits, and other pets.

"We're hoping the music and dancing will get folks in the mood to find their next best friend", says Director Monica Nolan.

To add to the excitement of the weekend, all dog and cat adoptions will be discounted. A large wheel, called the "The Wheel of Fortune" because any animal that gets adopted is fortunate, has been set up in the shelter lobby. Adopters spin to see how much of a discount they will get. No matter what the discount, in the end everybody wins because a family gains a new pet and the pet gains a new home.

Dogs and cats adopted this weekend come already spayed/neutered, with a license, rabies shot, microchip, a free set of obedience lessons (dogs only), complementary exam at the vet of your choice and a $20 gift card to Petco.

A house is not a home without a pet. And Ventura County Animal Services believes that shelter pets are the best home improvement you can make. Visit the shelter's web site at www.vcas.us for more
information and to preview the animals.