Robin Zander, lead singer of Cheap Trick, and Buddha.The lead singer of Cheap Trick is asking Northeast Ohioans to join the 12 Million Dog March against pet cancer.
Robin Zander, proud owner of Buddha, a French bulldog, and Daisy, a bichon frise, will be in Cleveland Tuesday, June 19, with his band and Aerosmith.
Zander's tour bus will be decked out with the 12 Million Dog March logo and website, 12milliondogmarch.com.
He's promoting the nonprofit effort to raise money for families who need help paying for their pets' cancer treatments.
"About 12 million pets are diagnosed with cancer each year," he said from his Florida home.
Zander is inspired by Mark Tillinger, who co-founded The Riedel & Cody Fund and the March after his Burmese mountain dog, Riedel, died of sarcoma of the mouth.
"I was diagnosed with cancer while Riedel was fighting her cancer," Tillinger said.
At 52, he's been cancer-free for two years and now works fulltime at raising money to help other families fight pet cancer. He hopes to eventually raise enough money to also fund pet cancer research.
Zander and Tillinger, of Connecticut, recently met by chance at a hotel bar in Atlanta. They talked for three hours about dogs, cancer and music.
Zander had just written a song called Every Dog Has It's Day, and by the end of their chat, he had decided to donate proceeds from the song to Tillinger's cause. Learn more at riedelcody.org.
Five veterinarians neutered 98 cats and kittens last Saturday during Operation Nip-Tuck.Geauga cats: The Geauga Humane Society hopes to find homes for 100 cats this month with reduced adoption fees. Cats that have been at the shelter for three months or more are free. Otherwise, cats are $25 each. Details: 440.338.4819, ext. 10.
Oceans: The Akron Zoo celebrated World Oceans Day Friday with games and crafts featuring the Dr. Seuss book "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish," displays on sea turtles and the challenges they face, and island music by Tom Todd. The new Journey to the Reef exhibit is open with 18 aquariums and 40 species, plus a stingray touch pool. Hawaiian shirts optional. Details: akronzoo.org, 330-375-2550.
Working dogs in Kirtland: It's Working Dog Weekend at Lake Metroparks Farmpark featuring terriers that hunt for rodents underground, Newfoundlands, the gentle giants that rescue boaters stranded in the water, and police, herding, guard, guide and therapy dogs. Details: bit.ly/lmpfpwdw, 440-256-2122.
Amy Beichler, director of PAWS, cuddles with a kitten at the Nip-Tuck event last Saturday.Adoption at the zoo: Rescue groups offered pets for adoption at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo entrance Saturday. More than 700 pets have been adopted through the zoo's event since 2001. Details: clemetzoo.com, 216-661-6500.
Cookout in Cleveland: The Rainbow Connection Animal Foundation's seventh annual Castaway Cats Cookout was Saturday at the Whiskey Island Marina, 2800 Whiskey Island Drive. [email protected], rcaf.petfinder.org, Box 94143, Cleveland, 44101.
This kitten didn't look too concerned about his visit to the Nip-Tuck event.Adoption in Akron: More than 50 animal rescue groups offered pets at the 11th annual Akron Pet Expo Saturday at Hardesty Park, 1615 W. Market St. Cutest pet contest, wiener dog races, Dick Goddard.
Rescuing corgis: CorgiAid raised funds with a silent auction at the 15th annual Ohio Corgi Picnic from Friday at Evers Arena at the Marion County Fairgrounds. Potluck picnic, dog contests. All breeds welcome. Admission is $5 a person, $10 a family. Details: [email protected], corgiaid.org.
Horse show: Angels Haven Horse Rescue benefits from a horse show at 9 a.m. today at the Lewis Road Riding Ring in the Rocky River Metroparks Reservation. Free admission for spectators. Details: angelshavenhorserescue.org, 440-781-5060.
Free vaccinations in Cleveland: The Free Animal Clinic Team vaccinates dogs and cats for the first 100 low-income pet owners to arrive between 2 and 4 p.m. Wednesday at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, 8712 Quincy Ave. Details: 216-531-7766.
Herpetology: Search gingerly for reptiles and amphibians with members of the Northern Ohio Association of Herpetologists at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, at the Garfield Metroparks Reservation. Meet at the nature center, 11350 Broadway Ave., Garfield Heights. Details: noahonline.info.
Bowling for pet food: Bowling for Bowls runs from 6 to 10 p.m. at Mahall's 20 Lanes, 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, to help the Public Animal Welfare Society collect pet food for needy families. Tickets are $20 each for two games, shoes, food, soda, deejay, cash bar and raffles. Bring a bag of pet food and receive two raffle tickets. Get tickets at pawsohio.org or at the door.
Marj Green gets a kiss from Tristan, a pit bull.Free vaccinations for Cleveland pit bulls: For the Love of Pits offers free vaccinations for pit bulls of low-income residents of Cleveland's Ward 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at Roberto Clemente Park, West 38th Street and Seymour Avenue. The first 200 pit bulls to arrive will be vaccinated. Up to 50 owners can have a pit heartworm tested for $3.
Dog athletes: Ohio Air Dogs hosts agility and Frisbee competitions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 16, in the field at 12995 York Delta Road, North Royalton. Vendors, raffles, food and music. Free admission. Details: ohiodockdivingdogs.com.
Great Danes in Westlake: Members of Harlequin Haven Great Dane Rescue will introduce people to their gentle giants from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at Pet Supplies Plus, 30034 Detroit Road. Other Dane owners are invited to bring their dogs. The group has two dozen Danes in Bethel, Oh., that need homes: ohiodanerescue.com.
Pasta for parrots: Parrot Hope Rescue raises funds at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 16, with Pasta in Parrotdise at Metropolitan Plaza, 22901 Millcreek Blvd., Highland Hills. Tickets are $20 for dinner, drinks, raffles, contests and a DJ. Details: parrothope.org.
View full sizeBonita needs a home.Bay Village pets: Friends of the Bay Village Kennel will be at the antique and craft show at Cahoon Memorial Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 16. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, pets for adoption, microchipping, pet contests. Details: friendsofbayvillagekennel.com.
Pet blessing in Orange: The Temple Emanu El hosts a celebration of animals at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 16, at 4545 Brainard Road. Pets, stuffed animals and photos of pets will be blessed. Chicago-based folksinger Alvin McGovern will lead songs about animals. Refreshments for people and pets and pet-related prizes. Details: teecleve.org, 216-454-1300.
Cat party: Caroline's Kids Sanctuary hosts its birthday bash for cats from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at 7394 Morley Road, Concord Township. Pets welcome. A caricature artist will draw pets and their owners for free. "The girl cats would like PetSmart gift cards, cat food, scoopable litter, paper towels, laundry and dish soap and bleach," director Judy Brown said, "and the boy cats would like gift cards to Home Depot or Lowe's for work around the sanctuary." Cake and drinks will be served at the remodeled home for 250 cats. Details: carolines-kids.org, 440-449-3496.
Dalmatian pups: The 46th annual Western Reserve Dalmatian Club puppy match and potluck picnic is Saturday, June 16, at Columbia Township Park on West River Road at Ohio 82. Free admission for spectators. Details and registration: 440-376-4742.
Bassets in Berea: Ohio Basset Hound Rescue raises money with a dog walk, pizza party and raffle from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 17, at the Kiwanis pavilion at Coe Lake Park, behind City Hall. Details: 440-243-4592, ohiobassetrescue.org.
Berea ARF needs volunteers: Berea Animal Rescue Friends seeks volunteer drivers, foster homes and cat monitors at the Strongsville and Westgate Petco stores, and dog walkers, cat socializers and fundraisers to build a new shelter. Details: bereaanimalrescue.com, 440-234-2034 or attend a meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 17, at the Berea Library, 7 Berea Commons.
Akron Zoo: Fathers and grandfathers get half off the $10 admission price to the Akron Zoo on Father's Day, Sunday, June 17; akronzoo.org, 330-375-2550.
Henry Drake, a librarian, visits with Natalie and Claire Nichols and their dog at last year's pet show.Pet show in Cleveland Heights: The Cleveland Heights Libraries second annual children's pet show starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, at 2345 Lee Road. Up to 40 pets will perform tricks and show off costumes. Each child receives a certificate and the book The Tarantula in My Purse. Register at heightslibrary.org, or call 216-932-3600.
Vaccinations in Berea: Value Pet Care Veterinary Services offers low-cost dog, cat and ferret exams, vaccinations and heartworm and leukemia tests from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 20 and July 18, at Building 25 at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 164 Eastland Road. Cash payments required. Berea Animal Rescue Friends receive 10 percent of the proceeds. The group seeks shelter volunteers and foster homes, especially for kittens and cats recovering from injuries. Email [email protected] or call 440-234-2034.
Vegan eats: Animal activists gather between 5 and 9:30 p.m. Thursday, June 21, for a vegan Asian meal at Bistro 185, 991 East 185th Street in Cleveland. Reservations are $30 per person; bistro185.com, 216-481-9635.
Art for dogs: The Friends of the Cleveland Kennel hosts its eighth annual Art Fur Animals show from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 22, at 1305 West 80th St. Advance tickets are $20 for the live and silent auctions; friendsofclevelandkennel.com, 216-274-9480.
Pride parade: Animal activists are invited to march with Mercy for Animals and the Cleveland Animal Rights Meetup Group in the Cleveland Pride Parade Saturday, June 23. Assemble at 11:15 a.m. at West 3rd Street and St. Clair Avenue.
Inge with her 2-week-old baby at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.Bowling for rhinos: Zookeepers host the 22nd annual Bowling for Rhinos event at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at Cloverleaf Lanes, 5619 Brecksville Road, Independence. Proceeds go to sanctuaries in Kenya, Java and Sumatra. More than $100,000 has been donated since 1990. Register at clemetzoo.com or call 216-661-6500, ext. 4452.
Golf for strays: Save Ohio Strays hosts its second annual putt-putt fundraiser from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 24, at Rinky Dink Family Fun Center, 2390 Medina Road (Ohio 18), Medina. Admission is $10 a person for unlimited miniature golf on three courses, lunch, games and raffles. Details: saveohiostrays.com, 330-239-1567.
Seniors at the zoo: The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offers free admission to adults 55 and older from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, June 29; 216-661-6500, clemetzoo.com.
Summit pets: The Humane Society of Greater Akron hosts a luau adoption event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 30, at 7996 Darrow Road, Twinsburg. Neutered, vaccinated, micro-chipped cats are $5. Dogs are $55. Details: summithumane.org, 330-487-0333.
Geauga pets: The second annual Shindig at the Shelter runs from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 30, at the Geauga Humane Society for children 4 and older. Crafts, treasure hunt and food for $1. Bring a shirt to tie-dye. RSVP: RVIKWT@ Yahoo.com, 440-338-4819.
Fundraiser in South Euclid: The South Euclid Humane Society hosts Furry Friends Fiesta, a dinner dance and silent auction from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 30, at the University Suburban Health Center atrium, 1611 Green Road; cityofsoutheuclid.com/humane-society, 216-291-8773.
Pet blessings: Pets and pet photos will be blessed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, June 30, and donations will be accepted for Berea Animal Rescue Friends, Purr-Fect Companions Cat Sanctuary and Mercy for Animals at the Unity Spiritual Center, 23855 Detroit Road, Westlake. Register before June 23 at unityspiritualcenter.com, or call 440-552-9527.
Herpetology: Search for reptiles and amphibians with the Northern Ohio Association of Herpetologists at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, at the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation in Cleveland. Meet at CanalWay Center, East 49th Street, Cuyahoga Heights. Details: noahonline.info.
Golfing for dogs: Canine Lifeline's first annual golf outing is Saturday, July 14, at Dorlon Golf Club in Columbia Station. Tickets are $85 a person for the four-person scramble on 18 holes with a cart, T-shirt, goody bag, two drink tickets, food and door prizes. Sponsors are needed; [email protected], caninelifeline.org.
Dog park in the Metroparks?: Cleveland Metroparks planners are collecting public comments on whether a dog park is needed in one of its reservations. "We need to understand what type of dog park, if any, is needed. What isn't already available in local communities?" said planning chief Patty Stevens. Submit comments before the end of summer at clemetparks.com/centennialplan/index.asp or 4101 Fulton Pkwy., 44144.
Send animal news to [email protected]; fax 216-999-6374; 216-999-4852. Get more animal news at cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/animals/index.html and blog.cleveland.com/missing-pets.