CONCORD — Spay It Forward, a nonprofit spay and neuter funding organization, will hold its sixth annual benefit April 13 at Cannon School.

Shoe Show Inc. will present an afternoon with Circus Stella, Salute to Working Dogs and Rescue Pet Parade.

Circus Stella is a traditional one-ring family circus featuring Dana and Dextre Tripp, professional performers who do juggling and balancing acts, rope walking, aerial silk and comedy including their five rescue dogs.

Heidi, their newest rescue addition, will make her debut. She is deaf and responds to hand signals.

Salute to Working Dogs will feature K9 law enforcement officers from Cabarrus County, Concord and Kannapolis. Team partners will demonstrate tracking, evidence search and criminal apprehension. Deputy Lennie Rivera will lead demonstrations with team member K9 Storm, seven-time winners of the American Police Canine Association Dog Team of the Year.

Officer Christopher Hamilton and his bloodhound search-and-rescue dog Thor will meet and greet people at the fundraiser. Tank and Digsby, certified therapy dogs, will be there to encourage hugs and smiles.

Adopted and adoptable rescue pets are welcome to enter the Rescue Pet Parade. Pet entries will be individually presented. An emcee will recite each pet’s description or rescue story. The rescue group from where the adopted pet originated or where the adoptable pet is awaiting adoption will be highlighted. Entry forms are available at www.spayitforwardnc.org.

What-a-Burger and Papa Robb’s Paradise Ice food trucks, custom balloon sculpting, face painting and a silent auction will complete the afternoon’s activities.

The fundraiser will be at Cannon School in Concord from noon to 3 p.m. April 13. The gate will open at 11 a.m. Information, tickets, sponsorship and donation opportunities, and pet parade entry forms and rules are available at www.spayitforwardnc.org under the 2019 fundraising event tab.

The number of pet parade entries is limited. Only pets entered in the parade will be allowed on Cannon School property. A rain date will be 1-4 p.m. April 14. Gates will open at noon.

Spay It Forward is a nonprofit organization with a mission to alleviate the population of unwanted companion animals by providing money for spaying and neutering of pets of low-income families and pets otherwise neglected.

Since its beginning in January 2014, Spay It Forward has funded the spaying and neutering of 1,698 cats, including pet and feral cats in managed colonies, and 331 dogs.

According to pet reproduction statistics, the unwanted births of 20,698 kittens and 5,296 puppies have been prevented.

Spay It Forward’s annual budget depends on money raised at the annual benefit.