Sarasota, FL (December 9) – A pack of world-class stunt dogs is heading to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall when Mutts Gone Nuts – Unleashed takes the stage for a laugh-out-loud performance the whole family will love. Featuring a dozen of the most talented four-legged performers in the country, this action-packed canine comedy show has been delighting audiences across the nation—and it’s Sarasota’s turn to join the fun. Mutts Gone Nuts – Unleashed plays the Van Wezel on Saturday, January 10 at 1 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.

Audiences can expect a high-energy mix of agility, tricks, prancing, flipping, dancing, and pure doggie joy. The show’s all-star lineup includes a Guinness World Record–holding pup, an America’s Got Talent fan favorite, and an ensemble of incredibly skilled rescue dogs who have been trained using only positive, reward-based techniques. These furry superstars will dance, prance, flip and skip their way right into your heart.

Praised by The Washington Post as “a must see,” Mutts Gone Nuts – Unleashed blends fast-paced physical comedy with jaw-dropping canine stunts, creating a performance that’s as hilarious as it is heartwarming. With its upbeat spirit, visual spectacle, and celebration of rescue animals, it’s a production that promises fun for all ages.

Tickets start at $26 and can be purchased atVanWezel.org, by calling 941-263-6799 or by visiting the Veteran Air Box Office at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Groups of 10 or more should contact 941-263-6726. Grab and go dining options are available through Mattison’s at the Van Wezel which is located inside the theatre.

Future updates on shows and productions can be found on the Van Wezel’swebsite and through social media on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Mutts Gone Nuts – Unleashed is locally sponsored by Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue. Nate’s will have adoptable dogs in the Van Wezel lobbies before the show.

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The most golden day of the year is coming up at the Lee Health Sports Complex – Hammond Stadium. GoldenFest XV, hosted by Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida, is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.

The event draws hundreds of participants, many of them with canine companions. GoldenFest includes goldens galore, plus law enforcement K-9s, live music, food and drink, product and service vendors, pictures with Santa, a face painter, a caricature artist, raffles, a silent auction, a rescue alumni tent, first responder exhibits and the Calendar Girls dance troupe.

“GoldenFest is the largest dog-focused event of the year in Southwest Florida,” said GRRSWF President and GoldenFest XV manager Dennis Guyitt. “This year it is bigger than ever, with new and returning activities for dogs, their humans and kids. We’ll have fan-favorites like dock diving and agility demonstrations, live music, first responders, over 100 vendors, even a Golden Petting Corral, plus much more. It’s a day like no other for dog lovers.”

“GoldenFest is not only the largest animal-related event in our community, it is also an absolute blast! There will be a sea of goldens and plenty of wet kisses, so please come and enjoy a free, fun-filled, golden day with your best friend, your family and your kids. It promises to be unforgettable,” added Cliff Smith, chairman of the GRRSWF Fundraising Committee.

The event is open to other nonprofit rescue organizations, area shelters and humane societies at no cost. GoldenFest doesn’t just unite dog lovers in the community. It also serves as the primary fundraiser for the organization, which was founded in 2009 and has rescued more than 1,400 dogs. 

“In the eyes of a golden retriever awaiting rescue, we see not just a dog, but a life teetering on the edge of despair, abandoned, surrendered or shelter-bound, facing euthanasia or the cruelty of unfit hands,” said Alesia Galuppo, the rescue’s founder and vice president. “Our mission is their lifeline: We embrace them fully, healing every emotional wound and meeting every medical need, no matter the cost, until we place them in their loving, perfect forever home. Because every dog deserves a second chance, and in saving them, we restore faith in humanity’s heart.”

Sponsors are: Subaru of Fort Myers, Enterprise Mobility, Wild Blue Charitable Neighbors, Leslie Alexander Foundation, The Burruss Foundation, Aussie Pet Mobile, Backyard & Tap, Barbara Siebert, Bay Street Yard, Becky Lappin, Blue Pearl Pet Hospital, Bratty Paws, Cameo of Lee County, David and Linda Lucas, Deck the Paws, Duckbery Designs, Fabri-Tech, FETCH Specialty and Emergency Veterinary Center, Fetch! Pet Care Services, FineMark National Bank & Trust, Flight FastTrack, Florida Blue Medicare, Florida Restoration, Gavin’s Ace hardware, Gulfcoast News – H & I Television Network, Hancock Animal Hospital, Hollywood Feed, Jeff Cull and Ella Nayor, John Rushing and Chris Curshellas, Kingfisher Realty, Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral, LCEC, Lee County, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Liz and Jack Donehower, Local Anonymous Family Foundation, Margaret Manda, Naples Feng Shui, Roxanne and Cliff Smith, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Scent Hound, Scoop Soldiers, South Trail Fire Department, Speaking of Pets Podcast, Stacy and John Berteau, Sun Harvest Citrus, Susan Matthews, The Breeze Newspapers, Tim Aumann and Edward Jones, Tommy’s Express Car Wash, United Way Beesley’s Pawprints, Visionary Vet Services and Wintrust Bank.

All breeds of well-mannered, leashed dogs — especially golden retrievers — are invited to attend with their owners. Admission and parking are free. There will be wading pools, treats, tennis balls and water for the dogs. 

For more information, visit https://grrswf.org/goldenfest, email info@grrswf.org or call 239-369-0415.

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The program consists of a 30-minute session led by trainers from the North Port Rescue Garage. Participants will learn practical tips and tricks to improve their dog’s manners and confidence in public spaces. The Rescue Garage team brings experience in working with dogs of all temperaments, with a focus on building trust and reinforcing positive behaviors. Following the training, owners and their pups can join a relaxed 30-minute group walk in the surrounding neighborhood, giving dogs a chance to socialize and owners an opportunity to connect with one another.

Dogs are part of the family for many North Port households. Offering programs that support responsible ownership helps create a welcoming environment for pets and people alike. Spending time outdoors with pets can also encourage regular exercise and provide positive social interactions that benefit both animals and their owners.

The event is free and open to the public. All animals should be under care and control of a handler at all times during the program. Handlers must ensure all animals are vaccinated and in good health.

“This is a great opportunity for pet owners to gain helpful skills while enjoying time outdoors together,” said North Port Parks & Recreation Program Coordinator Yannis Rodriguez. “It is about creating experiences that make life in our city more enjoyable for both residents and their pets.”

Whether your dog is new to training or just enjoys socializing, this event offers something for both pets and owners. Come be part of a morning that celebrates the bond between people, dogs and the community.

For more information about this and other upcoming programs, visit K-9 Connection at NorthPortFL.gov/General-Interest.

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In response, Suncoast Humane Society is launching a two-day donation drive, followed by a two-day distribution event, to support families during this difficult time. CEO Maureen O’Nell emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Often, pets end up in shelters when families cannot afford their care. This is our way of trying to help people in their time of need, so they don’t have to make a heartbreaking decision.”

The donation drive will collect unopened pet food and cat litter to provide essential resources to those in need. Distribution days will offer these items at no cost to families affected by the shutdown, ensuring they can keep their loved ones—both human and animal—together during this trial.

Donation Drive: Monday, November 17th, and Tuesday, November 18th at both the Englewood Thrift Store, 1951 S McCall Road, and Venice Thrift Stores, 656 Tamiami Trail, Venice.

Distribution Days: Thursday, November 20th, and Friday, November 21st 10:00 am-2:00 pm at the Venice Thrift Store, 656 Tamiami Trail, Venice.

Together, we can create a stronger community where families and pets can remain united, regardless of the challenges they face. For more information about how you can help or participate, please contact Suncoast Humane Society at cvarcoe@humane.org.

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ENGLEWOOD, Fla. — EARS Animal Rescue is calling on the community to step forward as foster parents for dogs in need.

As a foster-based rescue, EARS can only save dogs when foster homes are available. The rescue provides all supplies and veterinary care, while foster families provide safe housing and daily attention.

“A foster home means a dog doesn’t have to face the stress of being caged in a crowded shelter with little individual care,” an EARS spokesperson said. “Fosters also help us learn each dog’s personality, which is essential in finding the right permanent home.”

To recruit new foster families, EARS will host two seminars: Saturday, September 27, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Sunday, September 28, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Both sessions will take place at the EARS Adoption Center and Pet Store, 500 N. Indiana Ave., Englewood.

The organization hopes to secure at least 10 new foster homes. Without meeting that goal, EARS may need to pause dog intakes temporarily.

In addition to fostering, EARS is launching programs to increase adoptions. The rescue has partnered with Pets for Patriots, a national nonprofit that connects shelter animals with veterans, and has introduced a Seniors for Seniors program. Under the new initiative, anyone 60 or older who adopts a dog aged 10 or older will have the adoption fee waived.

“Fostering is one of the most rewarding experiences,” the spokesperson said. “You know you’ve saved a life.”

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The animals were rescued from a wildlife rehabilitation facility and are now part of the HappyCapys program, an educational effort that introduces the public to the world’s largest rodents. The sisters will be featured in events designed to build awareness of conservation and the importance of humane care for wildlife.

Each capybara weighs about 18 pounds now but within a year they will top 100 pounds, as they grow rapidly and love to eat. Capybaras are known to consume six to eight pounds of grass a day. They are semi-aquatic, able to stay underwater for up to five minutes, and live in large social groups of 10 to 30 animals. Oh, and they eat their own droppings, a natural way to process nutrients more efficiently.

The trio do not yet have names, and the society plans to invite the community to help choose them. For now, they are adjusting to their new surroundings and learning their ambassador duties. 

The HappyCapys program emphasizes the importance of playful and social behavior in animals, using the gentle capybara as an iconic example. The program includes interactive experiences designed to engage visitors of all ages under the guidance of humane educators and animal behaviorists.

HappyCapys Experiences

• Capybara Snacks and Snuggles, $99 per person — A 45-minute session where guests feed hearty snacks to the capybaras, learn about their care, and enjoy lap climbs, snuggles, and kisses.
  Capybara Yoga, $99 per person — A one-hour yoga class held from 1 to 2 p.m. with capybaras nearby, creating a calming and joyful atmosphere in a small-group setting with certified instructors.
• Private Capybara Experience, $750 for up to six people — A 90-minute exclusive session inside the capybara enclosure, ideal for celebrations, family outings, or team building. Additional guests can join at tiered rates up to 24 participants.

With their gentle nature, social instincts, and curiosity, the sisters are expected to become favorites at Suncoast events as the HappyCapys program unfolds.

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The contest, which ends on August 1, invites participants to submit their favorite photo of their pet for a $15 donation per entry. The pet receiving the most votes will be featured on the calendar’s cover, with the next 12 highest vote-getters earning a “Pet of the Month” spotlight.

Votes cost $1 each, with all proceeds benefiting the Suncoast Humane Society’s mission to rescue and rehome animals in need. Voting and entries are accepted only via the secure online contest platform.

Photo submissions must include only pets, without people or controversial content. Participants may also reserve specific days in the calendar to honor a pet’s birthday or adoption date.

For full contest rules or to enter, visit https://humane.org/events/suncoast-humane-society-2026-calendar-contest/ Questions may be directed to Sandrina McCloud at smccloud@humane.org.

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