Sammie's Friends has several endearing pit bull terriers looking for forever homes.

The nonprofit group runs the Nevada County Animal Shelter and there are both cats and dogs there. In addition to running the shelter, the group provides medical care for disadvantaged Nevada County animals that have no one else to care for them.

Sammie's Friends is helping pit bulls by offering $250 in behavioral training to adoptive humans. Pit bulls face a challenge because of a negative image, owners who are moving into small apartments because of the economy — and because some people haven't met that special pit bull yet.

For information, call the Sammie's Friends shelter at (530) 471-5041.

To support Sammie's Friends, the Alternative Fitness Center of Penn Valley is hosting a Zumba dance party fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at Western Gateway Park Pavilion Stage in Penn Valley.

Zumba instructors from Grass Valley, Penn Valley and Yuba City will lead the dance party. Participation is free.

For information, call the Alternative Fitness Center at 432-8985. If interested in being an instructor for this event, e-mail zumbacity@yahoo.com.