Pet Show on Saturday at Nur Shrine Center

The Shriners are good guys in great hats who help injured or sick kids. On Saturday, the Nur Shriners near New Castle are sponsoring their first pet show from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their center, U.S. 13, near the U.S. 13-40 split. Admission and parking are free.

Dave Cauffman, who is organizing the event, says you can bring your own pets, but they need to be on a leash or in a pet carrier, and they need to be sociable. Kind of like the Shriners.

"One guy is going to bring his parrot," Cauffman says. "I said, 'You know there are going to be cats there?' "

And dogs and lizards, and probably a snake or two. Who knows what else might arrive.

Cauffman says he's got 19 vendors lined up, including the Delaware Humane Association, Delaware SPCA, Whiskazz and Pawzz, Delaware Puppy Rescue and Pampered Pets. The Delaware State Police will do a K-9 demonstration. Santa will be there to pose for photos with your pets, your kids or both.

And Cauffman says they'll have contests, lots and lots of contests -- best dressed, obedience, looks like owner, best St. Bernard (in honor of his late dog Erik). Check out the Nur Web site to see the rest of the categories and the corresponding time for each. Registration for the contests is $5 per category.