Zeppe's Tavern & Pizzeria, 11110 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township, will be having a fundraiser to benefit Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village and Lake Humane Society. The Howl-o-Ween fundraiser will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19.

Information from a news release:

Zeppe’s will be hosting a Howl-o-Ween Fundraiser with the Lake Humane Society & Geauga Humane Society on Saturday, October 19 at 11am at Zeppe’s Tavern & Pizzeria in Newbury. The event will be free for guests & their pets, with the request to donate whatever they can to support such a worthy cause.

Enjoy a delicious slice of a 100 foot Zeppe's Sub! Rock out to live music with Smack the Frog, a pet costume contest with prize baskets for cutest, funniest and most unique pet costumes judges by Bill Louis.

Plus, there will be wonderful, loving pets in need of a good home! We will also feature entertainment for the whole family such as a face painter, kissing booth, caricatures, photos with pets, pumpkin painting contest & more!

Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village has introduced a new program to help end pet overpopulation.

The "Spay Your Mama" program is geared toward individuals with a pregnant female dog or a female dog with her new puppies.

Involvement in the program consists of agreeing to surrender 8-week-old puppies to Rescue Village, where they will be fixed, vaccinated and put up for adoption. The "mama" will then be spayed at no cost to the participant through Petfix.

To participate, call Erin Hawes at 440-338-4819, ext. 14, or email programs@geaugahumane.org.
Participation in program will be based upon Petfix qualifications. To learn more, visit www.petfixnortheastohio.org/qualifies.htm.

The Geauga Humane Society recently presented its Humanitarian Award to Gal Russo.

From a news release:

The Geauga Humane Society had its 2011 Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Oct. 28. Every year Geauga Humane bestows its coveted Humanitarian Award to someone who has gone above and beyond to demonstrate compassion toward animals.
This year's recipient was Gal Russo. She is a long-time Rescue Village volunteer who is dedicated to saving lives. From dog walking, to donation portions of her art sales, to events, she is a champion for animals, and a well-deserved recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year award.

Congratulations, Gal!


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

A fundraiser featuring hand-crafted artisan gifts for holiday giving will help out Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village.

Art from the Heart, presented by Muddy Paw Wines, will be at Freedom Design Kitchen & Bath, 21 N. Franklin St., Chagrin Falls, and will feature work from more than a dozen artists.

Opening night will be 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 9, and will include an art sale, artist raffle, hor d'oeurves, wine tasting and adoptable animals. The art sale and adoptable animals will return from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 10.

Featured artists include the following:

• Gai Russo, jewelry
• 26 briks, metal
• Kendall Embrescia, paper
• Jenny campbell, illustration
• Rhona Williams, painting
• Sharon Sheinbart, ceramic
• Molly Tuttin, glass
• Terra Verde, candles
• Kat Mitchell, illustration
• Susan Scaparotti, jewelry
• Betshe Bags, mixed media
• Jason Radcliffe, metal
• Vegan Sweet Tooth, pastry
• Stephie Lou, fiber
• Woofbeads

A portion of the proceeds from Art from the Heart will benefit the animals at Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village.

For more information, call 440-338-4819, ext. 19, or visit geaugahumane.org.


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

Do your animal-loving 'tweens have any plans for winter break? If you're looking for a fun activity with which they can get involved, check out Geauga Humane Society's Snow Melter at the Shelter camp.

The two-day, hands-on camp is for kids ages 9 to 11, and runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 27 and 28. During the camp, the youths will make dog treats, cat and dog toys, meet shelter animals, and make wild bird feeders that will hang in the woods near the shelter and behind the barn.

Snow Melter at the Shelter is $65 for the two days, and lunch is included.

Registration is limited to 12 campers, so don't delay if your kids want to take part in the camp.

For more information and an application, visit geaugahumane.org, or contact Mary Carney at education@geaugahumane.org or 440-338-4819, ext. 20. Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village is at 15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Township.


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

Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village is turning 10 and is inviting you to "In Kids We Trust" to celebrate.

The party is planned for 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 19 in the community room at Rescue Village, 15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Township.

Swifty the Clown will be at the party with balloon animals from 2:30 to 3:30. The day will include face painting, games and more.

The party is free to attend, but Rescue Village asks that attendees bring a gift from the wish list.

RSVP by calling 440-338-4819, ext. 10, or emailing info@geaugahumane.org.


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

Now through Oct. 31, all cats and kittens at Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village are just $10. Take advantage of the frighteningly low adoption fee, and help make Rescue Village's cat pavilion a ghost town. For more information, call 440-338-4819, ext. 10. Rescue Village is at 15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Township, and online at geaugahumane.org.


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

Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village will have preschool story time sessions at 11 a.m. Fridays, Oct. 28 through Dec. 9. (No session Nov. 25.) The cost is $6 for a six-week session. A special story time will be at 1 p.m. Nov. 12.

Families are encouraged to bring a can of Purina dog food or cat food to donate to the shelter.

Families can meet one of the Rescue Village's dog ambassadors, and there will be a special craft to take home.

Details: Call the Humane Education Coordinator at 440-338-4819, ext. 20, or email education@geaugahumane.org. Rescue Village is at 15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Township.


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

Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village will be transformed into a haunted village from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 22. Tickets purchased at Rescue Village in advance are $5, or pay $7 at the door. Wear your costume to enjoy the festivities, which will include snacks, crafts, games, a haunted tour and more.

Rescue Village is at 15463 Chillicothe Road in Russell Township.

Details: 440-338-4819.


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

What's the best way to celebrate Adopt a Shelter Dog Month? Obviously, by adopting a shelter dog.

Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village will help you do just that. This month, the agency is featuring certain dogs for a special adoption fee of $25.75. (This does not include puppies, and dogs with a reduced adoption fee will be clearly marked.)

The shelter is at 15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Township. Shelter hours are noon to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday. Adoptions stop 45 minutes before closing.

For more information, call 440-338-4819, ext. 22, or email swestman@geaugahumane.org.


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

SecureState, an information security company in Bedford Heights, will be holding a car wash for the Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 22.

All of the proceeds will go to Rescue Village.

Rain date is July 29.

SecureState is at 23340 Miles Road.

Some of Rescue Village’s adoptable animals will be on hand.

-- 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

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.

Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village is offering Spring Mini Camps for children ages 9 to 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 19-20 at the Russell Township facility, 15463 Chillicothe Road.

Campers will participate in hands-on activities, including making and baking dog treats, making cat toys and puppy tags, making cage signs, and more. Campers also will learn about dog/cat communication and safety.

Registration is limited. Click here for a camp application. For more information, visit Rescue Village's day camp page at www.geaugahumane.org/kids/camps.html, or contact Mary Carney 440-338-4819, ext. 20, or email education@geaugahumane.org.


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

Registration is underway for Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village spring mini-camps for children ages 9 through 12. Camps will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 29 through 30, and April 19 and 20. Campers will participate in hands-on activities such as baking dog treats; making cat toys, puppy tugs and cage signs; learning about dog/cat communication and safety; and other shelter activities. Registration is limited and the camps fill quickly. Applications are available at www.geaugahumane.org, or by contacting Humane Education Coordinator Mary Carney at education@geaugahumane.org or 440-338-4819, ext. 20.

Area humane societies and rescue groups will be teaming up Friday, Saturday and Sunday with each other and PetSmart Charities for My Furry Valentine cat adoption promotion.

On those days — part of PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend — adoption fees will be reduced to $14 for the first adult cat (ages 5 months and older) or $50 for the first kitten (less than 5 months) adopted to each household.

All cats and kittens will be spayed or neutered, tested for FeLV and/or FIV, have received age-appropriate vaccinations, and treatment for worms and fleas.

The fees will be honored by the following groups and area locations:

• Cleveland APL, 1729 Willey Ave., Cleveland, and at Willoughby PetSmart
• Rescue Village, 15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Township, and the Aurora PetSmart.
• Lake Humane Society, 7564 Tyler Blvd., Building E, Mentor.
• PAWS Ohio, at Parma PetsSmart and Mayfield Heights PetSmart.
• South Euclid Humane Society at Willoughby PetSmart.

For details, visit the following websites:
www.clevelandapl.org
www.geaugahumane.org.
www.lakehumane.org/
www.pawsohio.org.
www.cityofsoutheuclid.com/humane-society.

-- Robin Palmer
rpalmer@news-herald.com

Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village will have a fundraiser — Snow Melter for the Shelter — on Feb. 26.

The event, presented by Black Lab Corp., will be from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Family Life Center, 16349 Chillicothe Road in Bainbridge Township.

Organizers said the evening's theme is "close to home, close to the heart" and will feature gourmet artisan melts and soups from Food for Thought, wine provided by Muddy Paw, beer from Cellar Rats Brewery, live music by the George Foley Trio, and live and silent auctions.

Individual tickets are $80 per person. Patron tickets are $125 per person, which include unlimited wine and beer and a limited-edition Rescue Village wine class. For ticket information, or to make a donation, call 440-338-4819, ext. 19, or visit www.geaugahumane.org.


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

Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village is hosting a therapy dog training class beginning March 13 for those who would like their canine companion to work as a therapy dog.

To participate in the class, dogs must be screened by the trainer in advance. Screenings will begin at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 6. To make an appointment for screening, call Barbara Collins at 440-285-4679.

The six-session, Sunday morning therapy dog training class will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at Rescue Village, 15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Township. The cost of the class is $125, and registration is required prior to class date. Call Collins to register. At the completion of the class, dogs who are at least 1 year old will be tested to receive therapy dog certification.

Geauga Humane Society’s goal in hosting the class is to recruit graduates as Rescue Village volunteer Ambassadors. Ambassador dogs and their handlers represent Rescue Village at community events, work with TLC Kids Camp participants and visit classrooms. Rescue Village Ambassadors are invaluable in helping Geauga Humane Society promote its mission.

For information, contact Mary Carney at Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village at 440-338-4819, ext. 20, or education@geaugahumane.org.


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

February is “Prevent a Litter Month,” and Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village is sponsoring Operation Petfix Northeast Ohio. Petfix is a mobile spay/neuter clinic, which provides low cost spay/neuter for low income pet owners who qualify. GHS sponsors the mobile unit once a month. Openings are available for Feb. 23.
For more information, call Erin Hawes at 440-338-4819, ext.14.

Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village is hosting a training class beginning March 13 for those who would like their canine companion to work as a therapy dog.

Dogs must be screened by the trainer prior to the class. Screening will take place at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 6. To make an appointment for the screening, call Barbara Collins at 440-285-4679.

The six-session, Sunday-morning class will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. at Rescue Village, 15463 Chillicothe Road in Russell Township.

Cost of the class is $125 and registration is required prior to class date. To register, call the number listed above. At the completion of the class, dogs who are at least 1 year old will be tested to receive therapy dog certification.

Geauga Humane Society's goal in hosting the class is to recruit graduates as Rescue Village volunteer Ambassadors.