Blogs > Pets Unleashed

Those who love their pets tend to enjoy all animals. Our animal owners are no different. Check in on News-Herald staffers Robin Palmer and Cheryl Sadler as they share their own animal tales and announce upcoming events in Lake and Geauga counties.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Cat needs a home

So many cats are in need of homes, and Oliver is no different.

He is available for adoption through the nonprofit Western Reserve Humane Society.

Oliver is a sweet 2-year-old neutered male who was given up by his owner who could no longer keep him.

Oliver gets along with other cats and older children.

For more information on Oliver or any of the cats available for adoption, call 216-531-1512.

-- Robin Palmer

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Adopt-a-Pet.com launches TwitterACritter

Do you use Twitter?

If not, nevermind.

But if so, Adopt-a-Pet.com wants you to visit TwitterACritter.com for the simplest way yet to help homeless animals find homes.

One click on your favorite dog, cat or other pet - there are 130,000 to choose from - and you've instantly tweeted a link to that critter's adoption site.

"TwitterACritter is a fun, easy way for people to actively save the life of a shelter pet, even if they can't adopt one themselves or afford to donate," said Abbie Moore, executive director of Adopt-a-Pet.com.

It also begs the question: Do you have the sway of celebrities Kevin Nealon, Alyssa Milano, Denise Richards, David Cook and Jillian Reynolds, whose 'Critter tweets caused a domino effect for the cause? You never know which of your followers might be considering a new pet - but not necessarily thinking about rescuing one.

"The bottom line is that if enough people see a shelter pet, that pet gets adopted," Moore said. "It's no exaggeration to say that a single tweet can save a life. Imagine the impact it would have if everyone tweeted just one critter a day!"

-- Sandra M. Klepach, SKlepach@News-Herald.com

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Sweetness from the ashes of the Jesusita wildfire

Who says we can't all get along?

Today I received an e-mail forward from my cousin Eddie. Reporter at heart, I instantly doubted the story behind the picture - but what if? I did a little research.

Alas, it was true: Both fuzzy babes in the shot were rescued and united by Julia Di Sieno and her Animal Rescue Team, the nonprofit organization inundated with animal rescues after the May wildfire near Santa Barbara, California.

According to this page:

"Di Sieno helped rescue the bobcat kitten in the photo a week before, near Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Ranch, where it was dehydrated and near death. Di Sieno nurtured it back to health. They rescued the fawn during last week's wildfire. Although wild animals, especially of separate species, are never placed together due to regulations, in this emergency situation, they had no choice. During the mayhem of the fire, they were forced to put animals anywhere they could, since they had run out of crates large enough for the fawn. The kitten ran to the fawn, and it was instant bonding."

-- Sandra M. Klepach, SKlepach@News-Herald.com

Photo credit to Lisa Mathiasen of Animal Rescue Team.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Wade on out to "Dog Paddle & More!"

Missed last week's Willoughby's Poochie Paddle?

Willing to drive to Hinckley Township so your dog can take a dip?

Mark your calendar for 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Ledge Pool & Recreation Area in Hinckley Reservation - Cleveland Metroparks' "Dog Paddle & More!"

Owners can bring non-aggressive dogs to 1151 Ledge Road for a donation of $3 per dog, to benefit the Medina County SPCA, which will also host a pet adoption area at the event.

A mini Dog Fair for all the pampered pooches, as well as snacks for humans and animals alike, will also grace the grounds, with exhibitors and vendors including Ohio Pug Rescue, Golden Treasures Golden Retriever Rescue, Moochie & Company, Annie's Animal Care, Central Bark Doggy Day Care, Diggitty Dogs, The Animal House, Get Pets Wet, Gold Star Dog Training, American Red Cross, and more.

Cleveland Metroparks' K-9 Unit and B.A.R.K. (Buckeye Area Regional K-9 Unit) will perform animal safety demonstrations at 2 p.m., followed by a dog walk around the area at 3 p.m.

For more information, call 330-239-2911 or 216-635-3200.

-- Sandra M. Klepach, SKlepach@News-Herald.com

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Just a little something ...

... to brighten your Thursday, care of our outdoors reporter Jeffrey Frischkorn, who works at a desk perpendicular to mine.

This is his "grandcat" Miss Kitty, who lives in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The robin makes chirping noises.

Miss Kitty doesn't look amused.

-- Sandra M. Klepach, SKlepach@News-Herald.com

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Low-cost vaccines available

Animal Rescue Center in Eastlake is making it easier and cheaper to get your cats and dogs vaccinated.

ARC has opened a quality, low-cost vaccine clinic. It is held from 4 to 7 p.m. each Tuesday at the center, 36370 Vine St.

Services are performed by a licensed veterinarian.
No appointment is necessary.

The following vaccines are available for dogs:

Rabies, $15; Bordatella, $15; DHLPP, $18; DHLP/Corona, $18; Lyme disease, $21.

The following are available for cats:

Rabies, $15; Distemper/Rhino, $18; Leukemia, $18; Felv test, $30; Felv/FIV test, $38

All dogs must be on leash and cats in carries. Animals must be under their owner’s control.

For more information, call the nonprofit group at 440-942-1753.

-- Robin Palmer

Pledge walk for homeless pets returns to Kirtland

If you can put one foot in front of the other, please consider joining the 15th annual Mutt Strut this weekend - a pledge walk to benefit homeless animals at Lake Humane Society.

Walkers take the path at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 22, at Lake Metroparks' Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road.

Hundreds should attend for the walk, a K-9 demonstration, an Ask the Trainer booth, an agility course, a microchip clinic and numerous pet-friendly vendors, games, contests and activities - and yes, dogs are welcome!

A walker's minimum pledge is $75, which can be collected anywhere. Click here for more details, rules and means to sign up.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., games and contests follow noon-time awards, and the event wraps up at 2 p.m. Call Lake Humane Society at 440-951-6122 for more details.

-- Sandra M. Klepach, SKlepach@News-Herald.com

Celebrity dog trainer adds new date to tour

Celebrity dog trainer Joel Silverman has added another date to his national book tour, this one in Hudson. Each stop includes a book signing and presentation by the author, who will exemplify techniques on his dog Foster.

Here's the updated complete list of local stops:

• Aug. 15, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Medina Kennel Club, 6162 Wooster Pike, Medina

• Aug. 20, 6 p.m., On the green across from Hudson Hydrant Dog Boutique, 72 N. Main Street, Hudson

• Aug. 22, 11 a.m. to noon, Camp Bow Wow, 863 Bradley Road, Westlake

• Aug. 25, 7 to 8 p.m., Camp Bow Wow, 23380 Aurora Road, Bedford Heights

• Aug. 26, Camp Bow Wow, 1403 Main St., Cuyahoga Falls
Free Seminar/Book Signing, 7 to 8 p.m.

• Aug. 29, noon to 1 p.m., Camp Bow Wow, 14411 Foltz Parkway, Strongsville

For more distant tour dates and details, click here.

-- Sandra M. Klepach, SKlepach@News-Herald.com

Friday, August 14, 2009

Friday Pet Pause

Click here for this week's 6-minute, 5-second installment.

-- Sandra M. Klepach, SKlepach@News-Herald.com

Homeless Animals Day

The Cleveland APL is celebrating Homeless Animals Day, which is Saturday, in a special way.

Cats 1 years old or older at the agency will be available for adoption FREE OF CHARGE on that day. Cats and kittens under age 1 will be available for $25.

"We bring in hundreds of cats and kittens each week," APL Executive Director Sharon Harvey said. "We do not place any limits on how long they stay in our care. All healthy, friendly animals stay with us until we've found them a home, but we can only keep doing that if people adopt animals as fast as new animals come in. By adopting an animal, you not only help that life, but you help to save another.

"I just don't think there's a more fitting way to celebrate Homeless Animals Day," Harvey added.

Every cat and kitten at the APL has been checked by a vet, spayed or neutered, given their initial vaccines, treated for fleas and worms, and tested for feline leukemia and feline HIV.

The Cleveland APL is at 1729 Willey Ave.

For more information, call 216-377-1618.

-- Robin Palmer

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Pitting life against news in dog tasing

Lying in the sun at my favorite vacation spot last week, I overheard my father talking about Otis, the pit bull recently tased by Lakewood police.

I'd heard about this before I left the newsroom, from librarian and resident Boston Terrier owner Cindy. (Captured by a camera atop the taser, video of the incident can be seen here. Viewer discretion is advised.)

But this time I listened to the account from a different perspective - lying on my back near an orange pit bull named Daisy (pictured), whose owner listened intently to my dad's telling.

Read more here.

-- Sandra M. Klepach, SKlepach@News-Herald.com

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Dog needs surgery

Poor Chip. Not only is he a stray that was rescued in Middlefield, but he also needs surgery.

That is where you can help.

This small male Chihuahua mix was rescued by the Geauga County Dog Warden recently.

He has "cherry eye", according to shelter officials, and needs surgery.

The shelter is seeking money donations to help with the cost of the surgery.

If you can help Chip, send a check to the Geauga County Dog Shelter, 12513 Merritt Road, Chardon.

For more information, call 440-286-8135.

According to Doctors Foster and Smith peteducation.com Web site, the medical term for "cherry eye" is nictitans gland prolapse, or prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid.

Unlike people, dogs have a third eyelid that contains a tear gland and is located in the corner of each eye.

Under normal circumstances, this gland is not visible and aids in the production of tears.

For a reason not completely understood, the gland of the third eyelid prolapses or comes out of its normal position and swells to create the condition known as cherry eye.

-- Robin Palmer

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Winton needs a home



If you're looking for an easy-going black and white cat, Winton is your man.

The 1-year-old neutered black and white male is available for adoption through the Western Reserve Humane Society, a nonprofit organization.

For more information on Winton or any of the cats available for adoption, call 216-531-1512.

-- Robin Palmer

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Adopt the whole Kitten Kaboodle

Geauga Humane Society will host a Kitten Kaboodle extravaganza Aug. 14-16 at Rescue Village on state Route 306 in Russell Township. Individuals adopting one kitten may get one more at no additional cost. All black beauty kittens are $25 each.

To help celebrate Geauga Humane Society’s 35th anniversary year, all adult cats will be offered for a $35 adoption fee throughout August.

The shelter is open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and from noon to 7 p.m. Monday and Thursday. The shelter is closed Wednesdays. All adoptions stop 45 minutes before closing.

-- Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com

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