The dogs at the Geauga Dog Warden shelter are in need of dry puppy food and dry and canned dog food.

The shelter takes care of 700-plus dogs a year.

Donations of food or money can be dropped off or sent to the shelter at 12513 Merritt Road, Chardon, 44024.

For details, call 440-286-8135.

MARGARETTA TOWNSHIP — The operator of a local wildlife rehabilitation center has made it to the top 25 in a nationally recognized contest, CNN Heroes 2013.

Back to the Wild operator, Mona Rutger, was one of 10,000 nominations recognized by the CNN contest honoring “everyday people changing the world.”

The top 10 nominations will be announced in September and will receive $50,000. The winner will be named on Thanksgiving day, landing $250,000 for their cause.

Read more from Morning Journal Staff Writer Jessica James at Back to the wild; Operator of wildlife rehabilitation center up for CNN Heroes award (with video).

Thinking of adopting a cat? June may be a good month to do just that, as the Lake Humane Society has reduced its adoption fees for cat for this month.

Mandy Osborne at Lake Humane Society writes, "For the month of June, we are offering reduced adoption fees for all cats. Our cats over 6 months old can be adopted for just $20 and our kittens up to 6 months old can be adopted for just $75. (Adoption fees typically range from $30-$100 depending on the age of the cat). Adoption fee includes: Spay/neuter, initial deworming, rabies vaccination, microchip, veterinary examination, initial vaccinations, Feline Leukemia/FIV Combo test. This is a great deal and only lasts through June 30th."

For more information on Lake Humane Society and to see some cats available for adoption, visit lakehumane.org/cats.html.

The Geauga County Dog Warden is in need of dry puppy food and dog food (dry and canned). Help feed the more than 700 dogs that come through each year. The Geauga County Dog Warden is at 12513 Merritt Road, Chardon, OH 44024, or 440-286-8135.

Barking, tussling and romping are certain to be among many lively activities set to take place at a doggie soiree celebrating the adoptions of five Cairn Terrier mixed pups and their mother, Lilly.
Tony Felix of Willoughby, who, along with his wife Dolores is hosting the pooch party, said he’s doing so “because we need to do something for these puppies.”

Last winter, soon after Dolores notified the Eastlake Rescue Center that the couple would like to help out as foster canine caretakers, they were asked to take in a very pregnant Lilly.
The stray, picked up in Pike County, was scheduled to be euthanized on Christmas Eve, four days before the Felixes welcomed her into their home.

Six days after settling into her new digs the tiny puppies made their grand entrance.
Tony, who is retired, said even though Lilly was a great mom and did a stellar job of birthing and caring for her youngsters, he was overseeing everyday activities 98 percent of the time.
“It was tough,” he said.

Already caring for two dogs of their own, two of their son’s dogs, three tanks full of fishes and a a trio of parrots, the Felixes knew the newbie pups needed to be placed with other families.
Through concentrated networking with relatives and friends, a home was found for each. However, the Felixes couldn’t resist keeping one pup, and JoJo now is part of the family.
He’ll greet his siblings at the party which not only will provide special fun for the pups, but their caregivers as well. A backyard barbecue, Bingo and time for swapping lots of doggie stories are planned.

The Felixes have been busy purchasing animal-themed décor and treats for the party and are still drumming up fun ideas for the day. Tony said he hopes it will become an annual event.

“Six lives were saved,” he said with a happy, satisfied smile, and that's something the Felixes don't want to forget.

— Jean Bonchak