Weekend pet events include Dogtoberfest, costume contest

Nonprofit ASAVET Charities expects to spay or neuter more than 300 dogs and cats this weekend, with dogs coming Saturday, Oct. 14, on leashes or carriers and cats on leashes or carriers Sunday, Oct. 15. The event takes place at The Old Mission Manor Elementary School, 6015 S. Santa Clara Ave. Sign-in starts at 8 a.m., and it’s first-come, first-served. There will be recommended vaccines and follow-up medications if needed.

This will be the third year for the the MASH (Mobile Animal Surgical Hospital). More than 1,200 cats and dogs were spayed or neutered in the first two years of this much-appreciated event.

ASAVET is an all-volunteer organization that was founded in 2014 by Tucson veterinarian Karter Neal. It is staffed by licensed veterinarians, veterinary technicians and trained volunteers.

Oct. 13-15: Bring your best friend to Fry’s Continental Plaza, 7850 N. Silverbell Road. In addition to arts and crafts vendors, there’s a dog costume contest at 2 p.m. Oct. 14 with all proceeds going to the Marana Food Bank. Sign up your dog and get additional information at artattackaz.com. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission. 668-9710.

This fundraiser for the Humane Society of Southern Arizona takes place from 7:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 22 at University of Arizona Campus Mall, 1303 E. University Blvd. Tickets are $10.

Sweat for Pets is Tucson’s largest K9 event — attended by more than 700 walkers and joggers, along with 300 of their dogs. Participants can set up their own personalized webpage, form a fundraising team or join one. Anyone who raises $100 will automatically win a custom Sweat for Pets T-shirt.

The day of the walk/run is filled with music, a kids fun zone that includes giant hamster ball racing, a velcro wall and a giant inflatable slide. The UA mall is filled with a variety of vendor and sponsor booths and a massage area.

Billed as a carnival for dogs and their people, Dogtoberfest features games, contests, raffles, vendors, a live band, food and a beer garden. And, all well-mannered dogs on a 6-foot or shorter leash are welcome. 

And the best part? All proceeds go to Handi-Dogs, a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities improve their quality of life and gain independence by teaching them how to train their own dogs to be their service dogs.

When: 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5

Where: The Gregory School, 3231 N. Craycroft Road.

Head here for more information. 

“Best in Show” fans may want to check out the real deal. Shows run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 16-20 at the Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S. Houghton Road.

Last year’s show drew 4,285 dogs, representing 143 AKC breeds. Get more details at www.coyoteclassic.org