On Sunday, May 13, show your support for a local no-kill animal shelter by heading to the Helping Paws Dog Show to be held on the Davidson Green, in Davidson.

The event, the brain child of Brooke Phillips, a high school freshman who organized the first event when she was in the sixth grade, will feature a dog show and prizes, dog washing, treats and opportunities to adopt. During the event, which will take place from 12 – 2 p.m., an untraditional dog show will be held, with competitions for Best Trick, Best Groomed, Best Personality and Best in Show.

Dogs can be registered at the event. Fees are $10 per dog and $2 per human spectator. All proceeds go directly to Project Halo.   Event sponsors include Pine Lake Preparatory School, Anchor Security & Locksmith, Project Halo, Brawley Animal Hospital and Lake Norman Pet Grooming.  For  information or to become a sponsor, go to www.facebook.com/helpingpawsdogshow.

Project HALO (Helping Animals Live On) is a non-profit, NO-KILL animal rescue and sanctuary based in Charlotte, N.C.

Round up your furry friends and head to Huntersville for Bark for Life Lake Norman, set for April 21 at Birkdale Village.

The mile walk for Bark for Life is designed to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. Teams may register in advance at or on the day of the event for $20.

Registration for the event starts at 8 a.m. and will feature breakfast from Chick-fil-A and Fresh Market. The walk will begin at 9 a.m. After the walk, stick around for demonstrations, contests and games. Vendors and local business will be on hand.

The first annual Bark For Life Lake Norman event was held in 2011 and raised $30,000. Organizers hope to surpass that number this year.

For more information and to register for the event, visit www.BarkForLifeLKN.org.

Davidson College’s Pre-Veterinary Society will hold a Dog Wash this Sunday, April 22, from 1-4 p.m. at Davidson College Baker Sports Complex parking lot, off Concord Road.

The suggested donation is $10, with all proceeds going to Cornelius Animal Shelter.

Pawz Too Run organizer Joanna Copio posed with Bubby, an inspiring dog who was one of last year's award winners. (Cristina Mourao/DavidsonNews.net)

Pawz Too Run, Davidson’s biggest annual festival of canines, brought dozens of dogs and dog-lovers to the Davidson Village Green on Saturday. The 2nd annual road race and festival, organized by local high schooler Joanna Copio, helped raise money for Friends of the Animals, which wants to build a state-of-the-art animal shelter and adoption center off I-77 Exit 31 in Mooresville. Read the full story

Davidson College biology major Meagan Madden showed off a snake to visitors at the 2011 Reptile Day (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Have you ever held a snake, or petted a turtle? Here’s your chance. Davidson College’s Herpetology Lab invites you to Reptile Day on Saturday, April 14 – a chance to get up close and personal with snakes, toads, turtles, salamanders and other creatures. Reptile Day runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Baker-Watt Science Complex courtyard, just off Concord Road next to Davidson College Presbyterian Church. Read the full story

Copio with a neighbor's Airedale

Runners, walkers, dog lovers, animal advocates and those who just want to celebrate spring are invited to the second annual “Pawz Too Run” event on Saturday,  April 14 on the Village Green in downtown Davidson.

The event, spearheaded by Cannon School ninth grader Joanna Copio, will benefit the local not-for-profit Friends of the Animals, whose mission is to promote responsible pet ownership, provide low cost spay/neuter services and promote adoption of homeless pets.

Read the full story