Learning gets cuddly at Mobius Pet Science event

Mobius Science Center is going to the dogs on Saturday.

And the cats. And the donkeys.

SpokAnimal is teaming up with Mobius for Pet Science Saturday.

It’ll be a day jam-packed with activities, said Don Riefler, director of education and programs at Mobius.

Among the things to see and do:

• The Ruff Revue Dancing Dog Troupe will perform. Riefler said the act is “framed as a lesson in dog training” explaining scientifically based techniques.

• The Spokane Police Department’s K-9 unit will demonstrate the work it does to sniff out a target.

• A digital microscope will project “gross and creepy crawly slides” on a wall, Riefler said. The samples will show animal parasites, blood, fur and other things veterinarians look at on a daily basis, he said. And, the slides are being prepared fresh by local vets.

• SpokAnimal will have cats and dogs available for adoption and an on-site clinic with professional staff performing low-cost rabies vaccinations ($14) and micro-chip implants ($10) for cats and dogs. Clinic hours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; admission to Mobius is not required for the clinic or to check out the adoptable animals.

• And, the thing Riefler is most looking forward to: Chance the tiny donkey. He described the burro as being exactly the shape of Donkey from “Shrek.” Chance will be available for photos and snuggles with a $5 donation to Rough Start Horse Rescue.

“What I like about this event is that, yeah, we’re going to talk about science,” Riefler said, “but there’s going to be a whole bunch of cute animals … and you may even be able to leave with one.”

Kimberly Lusk

where: Mobius Science Center, 811 W. Main Ave.

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

Cost: Pet Science Saturday activities are included with standard museum admission – $10 adults, $7 children, free 3 and younger and museum members

Info: (509) 321-7133 or http://mobius spokane.org/mobius-science-center