Bullwinkle, who will be neutered and equipped with a dog tag and microchip, can be adopted for $20 at the Cleveland Kennel.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Kennel has expanded its hours and slashed the dog adoption fee by two thirds -- to $20 -- after taking in 90 more dogs so far this year than last year.

The kennel has had to kill more than 870 dogs this year. But despite the rise in intake to 3,931, the euthanasia rate stands at 22 percent, which is three percent lower than last year, when 959 dogs had been killed by Nov. 30.

"You won't find very many other city animal control agencies with a lower euthanasia rate," Animal People editor Merritt Clifton said, "but that is not a positive for Cleveland. What it means is that a whole lot of animals are coming to animal control who really don't belong there."

More needs to be done to neuter Cleveland dogs so fewer are coming into the kennel, which is legally required to take in every dog it finds running loose, Clifton said.

Though every dog that leaves the kennel and the nearby Cleveland Animal Protective League is neutered, most of the thousands of dogs living in Cleveland are not neutered.

In a city struck by widespread unemployment and poverty, many Cleveland dog owners can't afford to neuter their dogs.

Despite the kennel's slight improvement in adoptions this year, a handful of animal rescuers are upset after an outbreak of pneumonia there this summer due to poor ventilation in the 35-year-old building on West Seventh Street.

The dreary concrete facility lacks air conditioning and houses up to 150 dogs in barren steel cages that can't be properly disinfected.

The pneumonia outbreak caused most rescue groups to stop pulling dogs from the shelter, because they couldn't afford the subsequent veterinary care needed to bring the dogs back to health.

"Due to the high cases of kennel cough, pneumonia and other infectious airborne illness, PAWS has had to very selective in what dogs it pulls, and how many we can afford to pull," Public Animal Welfare Society director Amy Beichler said. "Building a new facility for these animals would provide them with a cleaner environment, and therefore engage more rescue groups."

The city has been promising for several years to build a new kennel, and picked out a site on West 93rd Street, but groundbreaking isn't expected until the end of next year, at the earliest.

"How many more friendly dogs have to die before something happens to stop the killing?" kennel volunteer Addie Broach said in an email to The Plain Dealer.

The only way to drastically reduce the killing, without a massive effort to neuter Cleveland's dogs, is for more people to adopt pit-bull mixes, born in a city where people want a nice, but intimidating-looking dog who barks when they aren't home.

Lots of those dog owners have lost jobs or walked away from foreclosed homes and left the dogs to fend for themselves on the streets. Those dogs end up at the kennel, under the direction of a man who has been handling Cleveland's dogs for three decades.

"The need to find these dogs a good home has never been higher," Chief Animal Control Officer John Baird said. "If you visit the kennel to adopt a dog, our staff and volunteers are more than willing to assist you to find a pet that matches your needs and personality."

The adoption fee for a neutered dog is reduced from $61 through Christmas Eve, and the kennel will stay open later on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All dogs receive a microchip and dog tag. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Dec. 19 at 2690 West Seventh Street.

"As recently as 2009, the City Kennel's euthanasia rate was more than twice what it is today," Cleveland APL director Sharon Harvey said. "While their team continues to work toward reducing that rate, we need to celebrate the incredible progress that has been made by Chief Baird and his staff in working with area humane societies like the APL, numerous rescue groups and the Cleveland Animal Control volunteers."

Penny needs a home.

Neutering Cleveland cats: The Euclid Beach Feral Cat Project has paid for 70 cats living in the 44110 and 44119 ZIP code areas to be neutered at the PetFix Northeast Ohio low-cost clinic at 885 East 222nd St., Euclid. The group hopes to neuter 30 more this month. Make an appointment by calling 216-732-7040 and mention the project. Details: ebfcp.org, petfixnortheastohio.org.

Pet-Santa photos in Valley View: The Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter offers $12 to $30 pet-Santa photos from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, 13 and 20; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, 14 and 21; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, 15 and 22, at 9500 Sweet Valley Dr. Details: cuyahogadogs.com, 216-525-7877.

Basset waddle in Berea: The ninth annual Basset Waddle at the Light Up Berea Parade begins at 6 p.m. Saturday behind City Hall. Bassets gather at 4:30 p.m. at the Red Roof Inn, 17555 E. Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, where there will be a post-parade pizza party and raffle to benefit Ohio Basset Rescue. Details: 440-243-4592, ohiobassetrescue.org.

Pet-Santa photos in Russell Township: The Geauga Humane Society offers $15 pet-Santa photos from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Donations of pet food, blankets and other supplies are needed. Details: geaugahumane.org/donate/wish, 440-338-4819.

Low-cost neuters in Akron: Cats Having Alterations Professionally hosts a mobile clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Nefco Building, 180 East South St. Kittens must be 12 weeks old. Cost is $45 for males, $60 for females. Vaccines, parasite treatments and nail trims available. Register: 330-724-6181.

Pet-Santa photos in Mentor: The Lake Humane Society offers $15 pet-Santa photos from noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 7564 Tyler Blvd. Adoption fees are reduced by 50 percent through Dec. 31. Details: lakehumane.org.

Pet-Santa photos in Avon Lake: Love-A-Stray hosts its eighth annual Pet Photos with Santa event from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. A 4-by-7 framed photo is $10 at Paws by the Lake, 33757 Lake Road. Details: loveastraydog.com, 440-933-2014.

Ornaments for pets in South Euclid: The South Euclid Humane Society's 13th annual Pets Light Up Our Lives Ceremony, pet blessing and adoption event starts at 5 p.m. Sunday at the northwest corner of Green and Mayfield roads. Ornaments honoring pets must be pre-ordered for $5 each. Details: 216-291-8773.

Ponies in Strongsville for children: Camp Cheerful offers $10 photos of children 11 years and younger with ponies from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at 15000 Cheerful Way. Details: achievementcenters.org, 440-238-6200.

Farm animal movie in Lakewood: The Cleveland Animal Rights Alliance offers a free screening of "Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home" at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Lakewood Library, 15425 Detroit Ave. Details: clevelandanimalrights.org, 440-941-7064.

Art for Geauga pets: The Geauga Humane Society's fourth annual Art from the Heart holiday art sale begins at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, with a wine tasting at 4925 Pointe Pkwy., Warrensville Heights. The sale continues from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, and noon to 5 p.m. the next day. Admission is $2. Details: geaugahumane.org.

Pet-Santa photos in Medina: Save Ohio Strays offers $10 pet-Santa photos and $5 pizza from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Wag on Inn, 850 Medina Road. Details: saveohiostrays.org.

Donating pet supplies in Westlake: Dr. Thomas Murphy, an oral surgeon, is collecting pet food and care supplies to distribute to local animal shelters in memory of his dog Rocky. Donors' names will be entered in weekly drawings to win $100 Visa gift cards. Dog and cat food and treats, leashes, collars and cat litter can be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and between 8 a.m. and noon Wednesdays and Fridays through Jan. 31 at 28871 Center Ridge Road.

Labels for pets: Heaven's Homeless Angels in Wickliffe seeks the weight circles from Purina pet food labels to help pay for food and veterinary care for the shelter's elderly or disabled dogs and cats. Mail labels to Box 654, Wickliffe, 44092.

Volunteers needed in Euclid: Euclid Pet Pals needs volunteers Wednesday and Thursday mornings to help clean the shelter at 25100 Lakeland Blvd.; euclidpetpals.net, 216-289-2057.

Dog bathers needed in Lorain County: Volunteers are needed to bathe dogs at the Lorain County Dog Kennel, 301 Hadaway St., Elyria. Contact United for Animal Justice; loraincounty.com/ufaj.

Hammy was a stray kitten who was hit by a car. Waterloo Alley Cat volunteers are asking for donations for his veterinary bills.

North Collinwood cats: Waterloo Alley Cat Project volunteers neuter and feed feral cats in Cleveland's North Collinwood neighborhood. Donations are needed. Checks made out to Northeast Shores Development Corp., with WACP in the memo line, can be mailed to Box 19246, Cleveland, 44119. Details: 216-481-7660.

Neuter in Parma: The Northeast Ohio SPCA offers low-cost pet sterilization by appointment Monday through Friday; $26 for male cats, $45 for females, $55 for small male dogs, $65 for small females. Vaccinations are given between 9 a.m. and noon, Monday through Friday, at 9555 Brookpark Road; 216-351-7387, northeastohiospca.org.

Neuter in Medina: The Quick Fix Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic alters female cats for $50, males for $35 and female dogs for $85, males for $75. Low-cost vaccinations, deworming, flea treatments and heartworm tests are offered without appointment from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays at 930 Lafayette Road, Medina; 330-558-1540, kittenkrazy.org.

Cat sanctuary in Lake: Caroline's Kids Cat Sanctuary in Lake County needs cash to help pay its veterinary bill. Mail a check earmarked for vet bills to Box 24068, Mayfield Heights, 44124, or use PayPal at: carolines-kids.org. The sanctuary cares for nearly 300 cats at 7394 Morley Road in Concord Township and is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., or call 440-449-3496 to make arrangements to send a check directly to a veterinary clinic.

Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary offers these cats for adoption.

Cat sanctuary in Geauga: Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary needs Purina dry cat food, Friskies or Nine Lives canned cat food, scoopable cat litter, cat beds, towels, blankets, paper towels, bleach, trash bags, gift cards and cash, that can be mailed to Box 581, Chesterland, 44026. Call 440-759-0076 or email to arrange a time to drop off donations. Volunteers and foster homes are also needed as the shelter is full.

Collies, shelties: Almost Home Dog Rescue of Ohio seeks foster homes. The group pays for veterinary care and food for its rescued collies and shelties. Details: almosthomeohio.org, 740-369-6600.

Golden retrievers: G.R.I.N., Golden Retrievers in Need Rescue Service, seeks members interested in fostering and fundraising; 216-229-0295, grinrescue.org.

Veterinary game: The American Veterinary Medical Association has created a game for pet owners to test their skills at diagnosing and treating animals. AVMA Animal Hospital is available for free through Apple's AppStores, Google Play and the AVMA website. Clients bring their pets to the virtual veterinary clinic and players race the clock to learn about each animal's condition, diagnose it and provide treatment. Suitable for children as young as 10. "Games are a great way to learn, and we hope AVMA Animal Hospital helps educate and inspire the next generation of veterinarians," AVMA CEO Rob DeHaven said.

Dog fighting: Anyone with information on dog fighting in Cleveland is asked to call the city kennel, 216-664-3069, or police, 216-621-1234. The Humane Society of the United States offers $5,000 rewards for information on animal fighting; call your local police or sheriff's office and the Ohio attorney general's office at 1-877-244-6446 (1-877-AG4OHIO). If the animal fighter is convicted, ask the law enforcement agency involved to write a letter to the Humane Society stating that your tip helped lead to a conviction. Send it to Reward Program, HSUS, 2100 L St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037, or fax 301-721-6414.

A puppy mill protest in Millersburg, Ohio.

Puppy mills: The Humane Society of the United States offers $5,000 rewards for information leading to animal-cruelty convictions of puppy mill operators. Call 1-877-645-5847 (877-MILL-TIP). You can remain anonymous.

Pet food pantry: The People Care Pet Pantry in Portage County provides free pet food to Ohio families facing hardships and is seeking donations of pet food, toys, collars, blankets, beds, cat litter, gasoline cards, index cards, printer paper and cash. Details: peoplecarepetpantry.webs.com, 330-389-5116.

Paying for vet care: The Jake Brady Memorial Fund, named after a beloved Dalmatian, helps low-income families pay for veterinary care for pets with serious injuries or illness; myjakebrady.com, 440-937-4000. Since May 2006, the group has raised more than $80,000 and assisted more than 85 pets. Donations are welcome.

Fairminded Fran sees three black cats looking for food in her school's Dumpster, and she becomes determined to help them.

Feral cat book: Children can learn about caring for feral cats by reading Linda Elder's new book, "Fairminded Fran and the three small black Community Cats." The 47-page paperback follows Fran's successful campaign to neuter and feed three cats living near her school's Dumpster. Elder is an educational psychologist and president of the Foundation for Critical Thinking. Order it at criticalthinking.org or call 800-833-3645.

Ohio rescue: Rescue Me Ohio shares information on rescued dogs, dogs in danger of being euthanized at county pounds, legislative updates, fundraising events, links to pet transportation and financial assistance for pet owners and more; rescuemeohio.org and on Facebook.

Free soothing shelter music: Rescue Animal Mp3 Project, founded by North Canton veterinarian Pamela Fisher, gives MP3 players loaded with music to animal shelters and rescue groups to calm caged pets and boost adoptions. Details: rescueanimalmp3.org, 330-266-2500.

Send animal news to dJmiller@plaind.com; 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.