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

Did you know you can have your child's birthday party at Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village?

Parties can be arranged for children ages 6 to 12, and can include a short talk, a tour, possibly puppy or kitty play time, and/or a craft, according to the organization's website.

I can imagine an elementary-school-aged me entirely giddy at the prospect of going to a birthday party at a place like Rescue Village, where I could learn about animals and have the opportunity to play with them. What an awesome idea to get kids interested in and involved with animals.

Visit www.geaugahumane.org/kids/parties for more information.


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

The Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village is offering six-week themed preschool story time for children ages 5 and younger and their parents.

The Rescue Village Little Ambassadors will discover, explore and learn about the pets at Rescue Village through stories, songs, dance, games and crafts. They will learn how to properly care for and interact with pets. Subjects covered include colors, counting, number and letter identification, and patterns. Small and large motor skills will be practiced.

The first session runs Sept. 6 through Oct. 13, and the second session runs Oct. 24 through Dec. 8. The fee is $30 per six-week session, and sessions are limited to 10 participants.

To register, contact Linda Hernandez at 440-596-1743 or lhernandez.walker@gmail.com.


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

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

Rescue Village summer camps are open for registration.

Six weeks of camps are being offered for children ages 9 to 12. The five-day camps run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the fee for the week is $125.

Summer camp weeks are
June 13 – 17
June 20 - 24
June 27 – July 1
July 5 – 8 (4 days)
Aug. 1 – 5
Aug. 15 – 19

Campers will have an enriching, educational, and enjoyable experience improving the lives of the shelter animals with hands-on activities, including making and baking dog treats, making cat toys and puppy tugs, socializing puppies and/or kittens, making cage signs and other shelter activities. Campers will also meeting working dogs and their owners, and will learn about dog/cat communication and safety.

Registration is limited and the camps fill quickly. Information, camp dates and applications are available at www.geaugahumane.org, or by contacting Mary Carney, humane education coordinator, at education@geaugahumane.org, or call 440-338-4819 ext. 20

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

Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village will present a book reading and signing of "WOOF!" by author Neil Markey and illustrator Pam Spremulli from 5 to 8 p.m. May 12 at 15463 Chillicothe Road in Russell Township. Signed books will be available and Rescue Village will receive 25 percent of the proceeds from book sales at the event. The Golden Barkery (www.GoldenBarkery.com) will co-sponsor the event. Spremulli is best known for her award-winning children's book "Letter Birds." Spremulli and Markey live in Chagrin Falls.

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

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

Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village will host a special holiday pet adoption event from noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 17. A 20 percent discount will be given for all animal adoptions. The facility is at 15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Township.

The Geauga Humane Society is offering its second annual Snow Melter at the Shelter Camp Dec. 28, 29 and 30 at Rescue Village in Russell Township.

This three-day hands-on camp is for children ages 9 to 11 and runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The fee is $75 for the three days. Lunch is included.

Campers will make dog treats, cat and dog toys, meet shelter animals, and will also make wild bird feeders to hang in the woods near the shelter and in the woods behind the barn.

More information and an application can be obtained at www.geaugahumane.org or by contacting Mary Carney at education@geaugahumane.org or by calling 440-338-4819, ext. 20. Registration is limited to 12 campers, so register early.