June 12, 2012: We've scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it's all right here.

Sponge Bob the cat posed with actress Edie Falco at an animal charity event.

Fat Cat Sponge Bob Gets Adopted

Actress Edie Falco, who has an “85-pound dog at home,” made it look easy to lift Sponge Bob, a 33-pound kitty who made headlines last week for his huge size, at an animal charity event. The New York City cat has just been adopted by a couple "committed to providing him with a healthier and more active lifestyle than in his previous home," said Steve Schonberg of Animal Haven. — Read it at People Pets, and check out Sponge Bob’s blog

Plus: In other celebrity news, actress Betty White visited the White House on Monday. In addition to meeting the president, the animal lover also squeezed in a meeting with another famous resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue — Bo Obama. — See the photo at the LA Times

Infant’s Illness Leads to Diamond Pet Foods Lawsuit

After a large recall of many of its products due to salmonella contamination, Diamond Pet Foods now faces a lawsuit after a New Jersey infant became seriously sick with a salmonella infection. The suit, which also names distributor Costo, claims the baby’s illness resulted from contact with a bag of contaminated dog food. — Read it at DVM 360

Jerusalem Announces DNA Database to Track Dog Droppings

The Holy City is planning to take saliva samples from canine residents in order to compile a DNA database so city officials can better combat problems with “soiling of pavements, parks and public spaces.” Once the database is complete, officials will test dog poop to see if they can find matches — and then fine offenders who don't pick up after their pets. — Read it at the Daily Mail

A dolphin calf nurses from mom Piquet at the Shedd Aquarium.

Shedd Aquarium’s Baby Dolphin Hits First Milestones

Animal health care teams at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium report that its 2-week-old dolphin calf is doing well, and nursing regularly. The calf has had several firsts already, including mimicking mom Piquet’s vocalizations. Although the calf is making progress and mom is “wonderfully attentive,” aquarium caretakers “remain extremely cautious” during the baby’s “critical first weeks.” — Read it at Zooborns

Biologist Hid “Perverted” Penguin Data for 100 Years

A British biologist who studied Adelie penguins during a mission to the South Pole from 1910 to 1913 was so shocked by their sexual behavior that he recorded his notes in Greek, so that most gentlemen wouldn’t be able to read them. When he returned to England, he only published his findings on the penguins’ “normal” behavior, and wrote a short, unpublished paper about their sexual habits. The paper was recently uncovered and put on display at the Natural History Museum in Tring, England. — Read it at the LA Times

Japanese Pet Population Jumps — While Human Birthrate Plummets

The country has 17 million children under the age of 15, but 22 million pets. Tiny lapdogs — who are pampered with clothing from Chanel and Gucci, yoga classes and pressure-point massages — are especially popular among the country’s aging population. — Read it at The Week via Yahoo