The animal shelter is honored to be the first host of a new series, Community Education Evening. The initial forum is called How to Pick the Right Puppy or Rescue Dog for You. Four experts will offer advice on everything you need to know in order to choose the right pet to join your family. Our own shelter director Lisa Hayes will talk about adopting a rescue dog, a subject with which she is very familiar. Rebecca Mayhew is the owner of Sunstruck Goldens and is an expert breeder. Ellen Blodgett owns Dog Gone Pretty and knows the grooming needs of every breed. Gina Hayes runs Just Dogs Training and will talk about how to train a puppy to become a civilized member of the family. This exciting and informative evening will be held at the animal shelter building in Edgartown from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 6. Those who already have an animal can join the Celebration of Pets earlier in the day at the Harbor View Hotel from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Father Nagle will be on hand to bless all the four-footed attendees after which Clifford the Big Red Dog will be leading a parade.

Three little dogs joined us last week. These are Shih Tzu sisters, seven years old, named Tiny, Brownie, and Oreo. Meanwhile Audrey, the love of a lab mix, is out on a trial adoption basis. She moved into a home that already had a dog and seems to be unhappy that she is not the star attraction. She was the subject of an article in this newspaper last week and was also in this column, so if this current placement does not work out we will let you know.

Six cats are in residence. There is the perennial, Mickey, who is now an old timer here, and Rosie, the teenage baby mama, and her male kitten Mojo. Skipper continues to grieve his deceased owner in his hidey hole. Jessica is a six-month-old black kitten due to be spayed this week. Finally, the he that was found to be a she after Rebecca Mayhew removed the mass of mats that encased her entire body. We have named her Caitlin in honor of a person in the news who also changed gender. Caitlin the cat can be taken for free by anyone willing to give her a lap to sit on. She is still eating like a champ and never misses using her litter box. She needs an angel to adopt her.

Vacationers are arriving on the Island. Those who find it awkward to transport their dog’s crate can find one to use at the animal shelter. We have all sizes and types and would be happy to let a dog owner use it for the length of their stay in return for a small donation.

Shelter hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The shelter is closed Sunday and Monday. The telephone number is 508-627-8662. Contributions are always gratefully accepted; the shelter is funded solely by donations. Please make checks out to The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard; the mailing address is P.O. Box 1829, Edgartown, MA 02539 or visit animalshelterofmv.org.