YOUNGSTOWN — Even though the intent was to raise funds to help certain dogs, plenty of room was available for a bit of love to be added to the mix.

“She loves dogs,” James Mamonis of Canfield said, referring to his 1-year-old daughter, Mia Mamonis.

Mia has plenty of opportunities to spread that love, because the family has two pit bull mixes — Maple, 5, and Lucy, 8, one of which was a rescue pet, Mamonis added.

No shyness prevented Mia from expressing a bit of love combined with curiosity to George, 13, a poodle mix who was at ease ingratiating himself with Mia and others he met during the Friends of Fido’s basket raffle fundraiser Sunday at Penguin City Brewing Co., 460 E. Federal St., downtown.

A primary goal was to raise $2,000 to $3,000 during the four-hour gathering, money that will go toward helping dogs at the Mahoning County Dog Warden, Lisa Hill, a volunteer with Friends of Fido who works for the dog warden, noted. Specifically, the funds will be used largely for medical expenses and training, she said.

The Mahoning County Dog Pound averaged about 65 dogs per day last month, down from 80 partly because many people brought their animals indoors during January’s severe cold, Hill explained. Along those lines, the pound assisted Animal Charity Humane Society with knocking on people’s doors to remind them to take dogs those with the agencies saw outside in from the extreme cold, she continued.

George was taken to the dog pound after having been roaming the streets and nobody claimed him. In addition, he was found with matted fur, said Maggie Koval of Youngstown, George’s companion.

“I’ve had him for about two years,” she added. “He’s very friendly and loves children and other dogs.”

Saturday’s fundraiser also had five animal-related vendors that included Newton Falls-based Hometown Hound and Rebel Rescue Ranch in Berlin Center.

Rebel Rescue, which moved to its present site in 2020 because of a need for additional acreage, has 186 unwanted, neglected and injured domestic, farm and exotic animals, excluding dogs and cats, Amy Rigby, who runs the organization solely, said. They include bunnies, ducks, guinea pigs and guinea fowl and ferrets, along with indoor and outdoor birds — all for which she provides spaying and neutering services and necessary veterinarian care before the animals are adopted, she added.

Even though Rebel Rescue Ranch doesn’t provide for dogs, the organization has established a partnership and works in conjunction with many other area animal rescues, Rigby explained, adding that she nursed a pig back to health that was injured about a year ago after having fallen out of a truck traveling on the Ohio Turnpike.

Another critical component is educating the public before such animals are adopted to ensure people can provide the proper needs and care for them, Rigby continued.

Providing brunch to assist with the fundraising effort were chefs Bradley Miller, Nevaeh Rudolphi and Gabrielle Crumartie, all of whom work for Build Your Own Breakfast LLC of Youngstown.

The trio busily prepared home fries, omelets and other items in their pop-up kitchen to accommodate a swelling crowd. The business also hopes to establish a food truck in a few months, Miller said.

Merchandise for sale at Saturday’s fundraiser included T-shirts and sweatshirts, a variety of dog toys, leash hooks, personalized canvas gift and handbags and wooden bookmarks.

The Mahoning County Dog Pound has about 20 volunteers who walk the dogs and fulfill other needs, but is looking for additional help, Hill said. To volunteer, call 330-740-2205.

Friends of Fido Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to aiding in the rescue of dogs from the county dog pound via fundraising efforts, educating people about responsible pet ownership and promoting spay-and-neuter programs. In addition, Friends of Fido helps local animal-rescue organizations that search for forever homes for the animals, according to its website.

Friends of Fido also has a two-pronged goal: eliminate the need to euthanize homeless dogs and develop a strong network of supporters and volunteers who embrace and work toward achieving such goals, the website states.

For more information, go to www.friendsoffidomahoning.org.