‘Hand-me-down pets happen. Lives change and a loved dog or cat can’t always come along. Responsible owners who can’t keep their pets look to re-home. This means checking with friends and family — or advertising — to see if a new loving home can be found.

“Rex is a handsome 7-year-old tiger-striped and white neutered boxer who has had two homes and now finds himself at the San Luis Obispo County Animal Services Shelter. Volunteers and staff would love to find this good boy a lifelong home.

“Rex knows some basic commands, is housetrained and eager to please. According to his last owners, Rex is also good with all ages of children. He just enjoys people and also enjoys all the dogs he’s met at the shelter.

“Mature shelter dogs, like Rex, often have what adopters are looking for — easy-going disposition, people-focused and some training. Sadly, potential adopters regularly pass these experienced dogs by because they see a bit of white around the muzzle.

“This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rex, along with an assortment of large dogs, felines and canine lap-warmers, will be available for adoption at the Lemos Feed & Pet Supply in Arroyo Grande.

“Hand-me-downs pets can be family treasures. This is true for Rex. Bring him home, love him up and he will immeasurably add to your family value. Rex’s adopter gets a 5-by-7 portrait of Rex, courtesy of Sandprints Photography.”

— Animal shelter volunteer Ellen Perryess

For more information about Rex, ID No. 132548, call the volunteer line at the San Luis Obispo County Animal Shelter at 781-4413 or visit http://www.sloanimalservices.com'>http://www.sloanimalservices.com.

The Animal Services shelter is at 885 Oklahoma Ave., off Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo.

To see more shelter animals available for adoption, visit http://www.sloanimalservices.com'>http://www.sloanimalservices.com.

The adoption fee is $75 for cats and $100 for dogs, plus a $23 county license fee for dogs if the adopters are San Luis Obispo County residents. The adoption fee includes spay or neuter, basic vaccinations, microchip, eligibility for a free veterinarian check, new collar and ID tag, and carrier for cats.

Trail etiquette

The CCC Arabian Horse Association, with representatives from CCC Mountain Bikers, will host a panel discussion on trail safety and sharing at Spyglass Inn Restaurant in Shell Beach on March 20. Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. and discussion at 7. For more information, call 773-2360.

Pet Tales on Facebook!

Like our page at http://www.facebook.com/SLOPetTales and share photos, stories, lost and found pets, posts to find animals a home and animal-related events and groups.

Email pettales@the tribunenews.com or mail to Pet Tales, c/o The Tribune, P.O. Box 112, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406.