Helping Strays, Monroe County’s no-kill animal shelter, is inviting the public to join its annual Slumber Pawty from noon April 5 to noon April 6 at the shelter, 4221 Hanover Road, Columbia. Attendees can spend all or part of up to 24 hours with their favorite shelter pet. As part of the event, on Saturday afternoon there will be a Rescue Readers session for children to read to a shelter pet from 2-3 p.m. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department will conduct a K-9 demonstration at 4 p.m., and there will be a pet-themed movie with popcorn and candy beginning at 9 p.m. Call 618-939-7389 to register.