Help needed for shelter's planned 'Stray Cat Strut'

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Press & Guide<= br> A Heritage Newspaper
Twice Weekly Publication

Help= needed for shelter's planned 'Stray Cat Strut'

Friends of Animal Shelter accepting busine= ss sponsors for artistic benefit

PUBLISHED: January 2= 6, 2005

DEARBORN - Friends of the Dearborn An= imal Shelter officials are issuing a last call for sponsors or artists who would like to participate in a citywide, public art event that will showcase the talent and creativity of local artists while helping to promote area busine= sses and organizations for the summer of 2005.

Proceeds from the event will go towar= ds the construction of the brand new 15,000-square-foot Dearborn animal adoption a= nd education center.

The fund-raising event, which has been steadily gaining momentum, is called Stray Cat Strut. It is modeled after Chicago's wildly successful "CowParade," in which uniquely decora= ted, life-size cow sculptures were placed throughout the city.

The Stray Cat Strut will feature 4-fe= et by 5-feet, fiberglass cat sculptures that have been painted and adorned by prominent local artists. An individual, family, business or organization can sponsor the sculptures. Additionally, several businesses may choose to part= ner and co-sponsor a cat. The names of the sponsor(s) and artists will be engra= ved on a plaque that will be displayed with the cats.

The larger-than-life felines will make their first public debut as participants in Dearborn's 2005 Memorial Day Parade.

After the parade, the cats are schedu= led to make appearances throughout the summer at many local attractions including Dearborn's Art on the Avenue and the Oakwood Common Garden Walk. The finale will occur in September when the cats are sold at auction.

Dearborn Mayor Michael A. Guido is supportive of the Stray Cat Strut project and the Friends efforts to constr= uct the new facility.

"The Stray Cat Strut is an innov= ative way to raise money for this worthy cause and this fun event will bring even more excitement to our city streets," said Guido.

The event has attracted many local businesses and organizations as sponsors including the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers will be unveiling its cat, which will be signed by all the players, = on May 22 in a ceremony at Comerica Park.

Additional sponsors include: Affiliat= ed Veterinary Emergency Service/Downriver Veterinary Associates; Animal Emerge= ncy Center and Veterinary Cardiology Consultants; Cats Radio-Iodine Treatment Center; Century 21-Curran & Christie; Community Bank of Dearborn; Dearb= orn Family Pet Care; Dearborn Press & Guide Newspapers; Entertainment Expre= ss; Fairlane Town Center; Friends' Volunteers; John Gumbs, D.V.M and his wife J= anet Grant; Non-Profit Personnel Network, Inc.; Oakwood Common Retirement Center & Medical Systems; Passageways Travel; Pet Suite Retreat; Village Ford; Westborn Fruit Market and Westborn Mall Merchants Association. <= /span>

Those interested in becoming a sponsor should contact Nanette LeFevre, project leader, at (313) 350-0640.

Sponsorship costs begin at $3,000 and= a deposit is due by Feb. 25. Artists interested in participating should conta= ct Tom Clark, artist committee chairman at (313) 278-4870. Artists whose desig= ns are selected will receive an $800 stipend.

Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelt= er (Friends), is a non-profit 501(c) (3), volunteer organization that was organized and incorporated in 1993. The mission of Friends is to provide lo= ving care and sanctuary to animals, encourage adoptions and reunions and promote respect, responsibility and compassion for all animals. Friends care for mo= re than 2500 animals every year and have one of the highest adoption rates in = the country. For more information visit Friends online at www.dearborn-anima= ls.com.

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