‘For many families, a senior pet is the ideal match. In most cases, seniors already have good house manners, and older dogs make pleasant walking companions. Additionally, seniors rarely forget their good fortune at being adopted and express their gratitude in loving looks and devotion.

“There are many wonderful senior pets at the San Luis Obispo County Animal Services Shelter, and Friend is an excellent example.

“Friend is a 10-year-old German shepherd with a beautiful heart and a battered exterior.

He’s a gentle soul who’s easy on a leash and is your shadow when off-leash. Friend bonds with those who are kind.

“Sadly, its clear Friend’s previous life was one of neglect. He’s skinny, his thin coat is dry and in some places there is no fur at all. Ironically, being at the shelter has been a better life than the one he’d known before; he’s put on weight, and there’s a brightness to his eyes that wasn’t there before. He’s also discovered a hobby — a keen interest in waterfowl.

“In recognition of November being Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month, this Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., all shelter dogs and cats — 8 years old and older — will be half-off. Shelter cats and kittens will be out front ready for adoption, with additional adoptable dogs and cats in the shelter.

“Pets love us unconditionally, and senior pets love us with their whole hearts. Come to the shelter and meet your match.”

— Animal shelter volunteer Ellen Perryess

For more information about Friend, ID No. 188474, call the volunteer line at the San Luis Obispo County Animal Shelter at 781-4413 or visit 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.

The adoption fee is $75 for cats and $100 for dogs, plus a $24 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.

Animal related events

The North County Humane Society will host “Pours4Purrs” Friday through Sunday. On the event weekend, many Central Coast tasting rooms will donate portions of their proceeds to NCHS. In order for participants to donate to the NCHS, they will need to pick up a “Purrs-Port ” from participating wineries or print one out at www.slonchs.org  . During the event, wineries will stamp visitors’ “Purrs-Ports” to verify they visited the participating tasting rooms during the weekend. With three stamps, visitors may leave their “Purrs-Port” at the last winery visited to be eligible for a drawing of prizes.

For more information, call 466-5403.

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Cambria’s Homeless Animal Rescue Team (H.A.R.T.) presents Holiday Paws from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Photographer Megg McNamee will be taking pet and Santa photos; ceramic artist Carol Jean Attoe will be capturing pets’ paw prints in ceramic clay keepsakes called “Love Paws.” Microchipping appointments are available. Dogs must be on leashes and small animals in carriers. H.A.R.T. is at 2638 Main St. in Cambria. For information, call 924-7377.

If you have a story or photos of your furry, feathered or scaly friend please email pettales@thetribunenews.com or mail to Pet Tales, c/o The Tribune, P.O. Box 112, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406.