CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Nearly 800 volunteers donated a total of 58,710 hours - the equivalent of 28 full-time employees - to the

last year.

Leading the way, and receiving recognition July 27 at the annual volunteer appreciation event, were Becky Kent of Mayfield Heights, Jason Miller of Shaker Heights and Ginny Russ of North Royalton.

Kent logged 294 as a foster home for special needs dogs.

Miller, a professional photographer, contributed 45 hours photographing animals for the group's website and calendar.

Russ spent 579 hours providing foster care, walking dogs, working in the shelter office and manning adoption events.

"If it was only for the love of animals, I could volunteer at a shelter closer to home," Russ said, "but I stay with the Cleveland APL because I believe in its mission, commitment to being a leader in animal welfare and commitment to having staff members and volunteers who support and value each other. And being at the APL and its functions is just plain fun."

Pets of the homeless

Donations of pet food that will be given to homeless people with pets can be dropped off at Style Mutt, 19512 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River; Ginger Pet House, 6594 Brecksville Road, Independence; and Aaron Animal Clinic, 7540 Broadview Road, Parma. Next week is National Feeding Pets of the Homeless Week. The national group, Pets of the Homeless, estimates that up to 25 percent of homeless people have pets in need of food. The group offers grants to veterinarians who care for pets of the homeless and gives crates to homeless shelters that allow pets to spend the night.

Rescuing pregnant dogs

Save A Mom Pregnant Dog Rescue takes pregnant dogs out of Ohio pounds, cares for them and their puppies and offers them for adoption. The nonprofit group, based in Stark County, needs foster homes, volunteers, play pens, baby blankets, gift cards to buy pet and cleaning supplies and donations to pay for veterinary care; saveamomrescue.com; 1271 Downing St. S.W., East Sparta, 44626; 330-866-5405.

Emergency awards

The Business Emergency Planning Institute presented its Professional Excellence award to Invisible Fence of Northeast Ohio and the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority force last month. Invisible Fence was recognized for donating dog and cat oxygen masks to fire departments in Northeast Ohio to help save pets' lives. RTA was recognized for hosting a training seminar for bomb-sniffing dogs and their handlers in April. The BEP Institute is sponsored by the American Red Cross and helps Northeast Ohio businesses, nonprofits and government agencies learn about disaster recovery.

Send animal news to djmiller@plaind.com; fax 216-999-6374; 216-999-4852. Get more animal news at blog.cleveland.com/metro/animals and blog.cleveland.com/missing-pets.