Area animal activists are holding events this week to encourageawareness and adoption during National Animal Shelter AppreciationWeek.

Kindergartners at Monticello Elementary and Topeka-TiltonAttendance Center are visiting the Lawrence County Animal RescueLeague shelter today and Thursday, said Kim Brister, leaguespokeswoman.

The kindergartners also are participating in a coloring contestwith prizes. The top three entries at each school also will bedisplayed in the shelter for an undetermined amount of time,Brister said.

The shelter, located next to the Lawrence County Sportsplex onF.E. Sellers Highway, will be open 1-3 p.m. Friday for animallovers of all ages to tour the facility.

“We ask that you take opportunity to stop by the shelter inMonticello, visit the animals and find out what you can do to helpanimals in need and/or adopt a new friend,” Brister said. “Yourinvolvement will go a long way toward helping the animals.”

Animal shelters offer many services to animals and people alike,she said, by rescuing stray and injured animals, reuniting lostanimals with their families and addressing public questions orconcerns about animal-related issues.

Lawrence County events began Saturday with the presentation ofPaws on Parade, during which pet owners and their dogs competed forprizes in six categories. Events ranged from best trick to bestowner-pet look-alike.

In Lincoln County, Brookhaven Animal Rescue League TreasurerRusty Adcock said Tuesday night’s celebrity dinner fund-raiser wastimed to coincide with the special week as well as kick off itsannual “Home for the Holidays” pet adoption campaign. The dinneralso was to raise money for an estimated $150,000 indoor animalshelter.

So far, BARL has raised around $20,000 for the project. Lastnight’s fund-raising goal was $5,000, but Adcock said the eventgenerated over $6,400.

“We’re very pleased,” he said. “We hope to do something likethis again next year.”

BARL is pursuing other fund-raising projects, such as engravedbricks that will be placed on the shelter’s walkway. The bricks are$50 and can be purchased by e-mailing bethha@barl.net.