Dan Crownover made a habit of feeding the cats that wandered around Epic Plastics on Turner Road — with his superiors' permission — before and after each eight-hour shift he worked. It's a 5-acre property, with lots of pipe storage and a car part junkyard next door. That makes for plenty of nooks and crannies for feral cats to find shelter.

TonkaBell is a sweet girl who loves to play and has enjoyed a few meals. She needs a home where she can exercise and her diet monitored so she can lose those few extra pounds. If you would like give TonkaBell the love and attention she deserves, come and meet her.

The Sacramento SPCA is offering free spay and neuter surgeries to all pit bull terriers and pit bull mixes in the Rancho Cordova area ZIP codes of 95670 and 95827.

After owning pit bulls for more than a decade, Julie Hammon has developed a simple philosophy.

“A golden retriever is the dog I always knew I wanted,” she said. “A pit bull is the dog I never knew I wanted, but I can’t live without now. I think they’re great dogs.”

But many people see pit bulls in a different light.

Millie, a scruffy black terrier in need of a bath, let out a whine that could barely be heard over the roar of the propeller. Pilot Bill Stigile turned away from a panoramic view of the Central Valley to reassure the dog serving as his co-pilot on this critical journey.

Sam Ninja is a short hair gray kitten. He is very friendly and will want to sit with you for petting and love. He gets along with other cats but would prefer the company of humans.

Even fire stations with crumbling walls, rotten roofs and black mold don’t run cheap. One Lodi fire station has been sold for conversion to an engineering firm for $375,000.

Mayor Marylou Powers has a secret stash she keeps in her trunk. In the area where most store a spare tire or gym bag, the self-proclaimed animal lover keeps two cat traps, a collage of dog leashes and fresh water.

Megan is a young, spayed, long-hair calico. She is a little shy but will welcome attention. Megan doesn’t do well with small children — they are too fast and grabby. She just needs a nice lap and a soft hand with a brush in it. If you have a place in your heart and home, come and meet her.

Shelley is a young, smaller size, spayed spaniel mix. She weighs about 20 pounds. Shelley is somewhat shy until she gets to know you. She does love people and responds well to any attention. Shelly just needs a kind hand a lots of love.

Francisco Trujillo, a representative of the Community Partnership for Families, stood before the Lodi City Council on Wednesday and pleaded for funds to provide food, health care and basic services for families on the Eastside, several of whom were seated in the audience at Carnegie Forum.

The council members said their hands were tied, because CPF didn't apply for any money.

The community group was among several nonprofit organizations who are preparing for disappointment.

Let's hear it for nandina! It's the shrub that can solve a lot of problems. It grows in sun or shade, and has red leaves, red berries and white blossoms, each at a different time of the year, so it's an attractive plant. Even when it's just green, its leaves are pointedly delicate and graceful. It can spread and grow bigger than it should for its space, but a shovel and clippers can take care of this when needed.

Don Juan, or “DJ,” is a sweet 1-year-old Pomeranian and Chihuahua mix. His vaccinations are current, he has been neutered and he has a microchip.

Lucy is a petite tuxedo cat who would like nothing more than spend time on your lap or shoulder purring in your ear. She is an older cat who is about seven years old, but she doesn’t act her age. She is friendly and gets along with other cats. If you are interested in adopting her, come and meet her.

With more than half a million dollars to dole out for community development, the Lodi City Council has a list of tricky decisions ahead.

Lucky is a 6-year-old Pomeranian. He is neutered, housebroken and has a microchip. He has a thyroid condition and allergies, so he will be on inexpensive medications the rest of his life. He also requires special food due to his allergies.

Jimmy is an 11 to 14-month-old terrier mix. His vaccinations are current, he has a microchip and is neutered. Jimmy and his family were in a house fire. The family will not be back into their house for a very long time so his family must find homes for five of their dogs. Jimmy is one of them.

Casper and his brother Sully are approximately 7- to 8-month-old corgi and beagle mix dogs. Casper is cream with beige markings, and Sully is darker and his ears are more like a beagle’s.