If you need help feeding your pets, PAX Peace for Animals Northeastern Ohio Pet Food Bank might be able lend a hand.

The group knows that families are struggling in this economy. Some people have to give up their pets to shelters because of tough times.

The group provides food to hungry pets in families undergoing a crisis, but you will need to show proof.

For more details, call the pet food bank at 216-769-6769. The group's mailing address is P.O. Box 29291, Cleveland, OH 44129.

To fill out an application online, go to www.peace4animals.org.

-- Robin Palmer

rpalmer@news-herald.com

Shindig at the Shelter will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village.

Food, free crafts, a scavenger hunt with prizes and a 1 p.m. book reading of "The Porch Dream" by Tiffany Laufer will take place at Rescue Village, 15463 Chillicothe Road in Russell Township.

The Shindig is being given by In Kids We Trust, a small group of children spreading the word of animal welfare to other children ages 6 and older.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

I feel so sad for these ducklings who just can't stand up to such strong wind.




-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an e-mail or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.

Higher temperatures can be deadly for dogs left in cars.

Staff Writer Jean Bonchak wrote about the dangers of leaving children and animals in vehicles earlier this month.

Journal Register News Service Writer Patti Schmidt also has written about hot-car death trap.

Check out both of those articles to learn more about the risk of leaving children and pets in cars, including what can happen to them, and what you should do if you see a pet left in a hot car.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

If your summer vacation plans include your pets, you should be sure to make safety a priority for them.

Sunday's News-Herald included some expert advice on keeping your pets safe during trips, including using appropriate restraint systems for the car.

Click here to read more from Staff Writer Betsy Scott, and use the checklist embedded below when traveling with a pet to ensure you have everything you need for the trip.

What to take when traveling with pets


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Some sweet, sorry-looking pets were entered in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest on Friday in Petaluma, Calif.
From The Associated Press:

PETALUMA, Calif. (AP) — Yoda’s short tufts of hair, protruding tongue, and long, seemingly hairless legs were enough to earn it the World’s Ugliest Dog title at a Northern California fair.
The 14-year-old Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix won the honor Friday night at the 23rd annual contest at the Sonoma Marin Fair.
Owner Terry Schumacher of Hanford, Calif., says the 2-pound dog has come a long way since she was found abandoned behind an apartment building. Schumacher says she first thought the pooch was a rat.
Yoda’s distinction comes a year after a one-eyed Chihuahua named Princess Abby claimed victory. A pedigree Chinese crested won in 2008 and another Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix was the ugliest in 2007.
In past years, the winner’s owner has received a $1,000 check.

Some of the contestants:

A judge evaluates Yoga, who won the contest. (Noah Berger/AP)

Handsome Hector, right, waits backstage, while Icky, left, eyes him. (Noah Berger/AP)

Hercules is a blind one-eyed 15-year-old pug. (Noah Berger/AP)

Dane Andrew holds Rascal, an African Sand Dog who Andrew says has won 14 ugly dog contest. (Noah Berger/AP)

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

From our friends at the Cleveland APL:

There are hundreds of cats and kittens living at the Cleveland APL and hundreds more in our foster homes just waiting to come in – and they all need a family to love.
Needless to say, at the APL, “Finding a forever home = PRICELESS!”
It’s that time of year when the number of cats that need the Cleveland APL’s help is exceeding the
number of people coming in to adopt – and the shelter is over capacity. So, to encourage people to adopt a cat NOW, we’re telling adopters to name their own adoption fee for all adult cats – we’ll even waive the fee completely if it means a good home and a happy ending! We’re also asking our community to help by
spreading the word.
Through July 3, one adult cat (5 months and older) can be adopted for the adoption fee of your
choosing. The adoption fee for a second adult cat will be $20.00. The adoption fee for kittens has
been reduced to $50. Each adoption will also include a free 3.5 lb. bag of Hill’s Science Diet cat
food, a collar, and an engraved, personalized identification tag (courtesy of a grant provided by the
ASPCA). (Regular adoption fees for cats are $45 for adults and $95 for kittens.
All animals are spayed-neutered, tested for heartworm or FELV/FIV, have received age appropriate vaccinations and treatments of worms and fleas, and come with a collar and APL ID tag, helpful species-specific animal care information, and free initial veterinary exam. Cats/Kittens come with a travel box, and dogs/puppy adoptions include a leash.
All adoptable animals can be seen at www.ClevelandAPL.org.
Call the APL at 216-771-4616 with any questions about adopting, or stop by at 1729 Willey Ave., Cleveland.

-- Robin Palmer

rpalmer@news-herald.com

Ever been stalked by a ninja cat?




-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an e-mail or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.

Keifer

How sad. This dog was found as a stray by the Geauga County Dog Warden's office, and his owner never bothered to come in and claim him.


Keifer is a fun-loving young male lab.

He likes his kiddie pool, other dogs and people, shelter officials say.

For more information on Keifer, call the dog warden at 440-286-8135 or stop by at 12513 Merritt Road in Claridon Township.

-- Robin Palmer

rpalmer@news-herald.com

Operation Petfix Northeast Ohio is a mobile spay neuter clinic for pets owned by low-income individuals who qualify, and openings are available for July 20. Geauga Humane Society sponsors the mobile unit once a month, and fees range from $30 to $70. For more information, contact Rescue Village Programs Coordinator Erin Hawes at 440-338-4819, ext. 14, or programs@geaugahumane.org.

Apparently kangaroos like to visit this cemetery in Australia, and someone captured a boxing match on video:



-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an e-mail or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.

Bindi

Bindi is a special-needs cat that is in need of a home.

She is available for adoption through Western Reserve Humane Society.

Bindi is about 1 years old. She should be the only cat in the household.

According to WRHS officials, Bindi needs a person to give her love, attention and patience.

For more information on Bindi, call 216-531-1512.


-- Robin Palmer
rpalmer@news-herald.com

These sleeping cats might be the most adorable cats ever.




-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an e-mail or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.

The sanctuary cats at Caroline’s Kids Pet Rescue are having a birthday party, and you are invited.

The fourth annual bash will be from 1 to 3 p.m. June 18 at the Concord Township sanctuary, 7394 Morley Road.

Refreshments will be served on their patio and deck and all the gardens are in full bloom.

If you’d like to bring a gift, the male cats are asking for gift cards from Home Depot or Lowe’s to help with the work at the shelter.

The females are asking for canned and dry food, scoopable litter and gift cards to PetSmart or Pet Supplies Plus.

The shelter could also use everyday supplies of laundry detergent, bleach, paper towels, dishwasher detergent and dryer sheets.

The nonprofit Caroline’s is also selling tickets for its $1,000 gas card raffle.
The drawing will be 3 p.m. June 24.

Tickets can be printed from the Caroline’s website at www. carolines-kids.org or by calling the office at 440-449-3496.

Tickets are $5 each or six for $25.

-- Robin Palmer

rpalmer@news-herald.com

Operation Petfix Northeast Ohio is a mobile spay neuter clinic for low-income pet owners who qualify, and openings are available for July 20.

Geauga Humane Society sponsors the mobile unit once a month, and fees range from $30 to $70.

For more information, contact Rescue Village Programs Coordinator Erin Hawes at 440-338-4819, ext. 14, or programs@geaugahumane.org.

Pools open this week, signaling the official unofficial start of summer. But I sure hope you don't find this creature in your public swimming pool:




-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an e-mail or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.