As a quick recap:

August saw the shelter full of animals especially cats and kittens.  We started a new series of dog training classes and with your help, we conducted four large events:

1. Dearborn Homecoming was 3 days long with information distributed and merchandise sold. 

2. Bowl-4-Animal-Rescue was a 3rd party sold out event put on by two professional bowlers, Aleta Sill and Michele Mullen, that raised over $12,000 with the proceeds to be shared between the Friends and the Michigan Animal Network.

3. The was our first year of doing the Kitty Klassic Kruise to help get our cats and kittens adopted.  We are always looking for new ways to help our animals find loving homes and we were fortunate to have 5 businesses embrace the idea of a big offsite adoption event.  We were able to get 16 cats and kittens adopted with an additional 14 potential applications. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped make this possible.  It was so successful that we are planning another for September. Stay tuned for more information.

4. This was our second year of participating in the Michigan Veterinarian Associations's sterilization exhibit in the Miracle of Life section at the Michigan State Fair.  At the invitation of Dr. Jeffrey Dizik of Downriver Veterinary Associates and under the strictest surgical conditions, we had over 30 cats and dogs sterilized at no charge to us.  Not only was this an enormous savings for us, but it was great for our public relations.  If you have never been, cameras display the surgeries to the spectators and yes, they packed the house to watch!  This also was a 3-day event.

Kids Corner - Many thanks to our great Student Volunteers who under the direction of Shelter Manager, Heather Mehi, and Nick Beaven (previous Student Star volunteer) also had a busy month.

Coming up and your help is needed with the following and much more:

Friday - Sunday, September 12 - 14:  HUGE PETSMART National Adoption Event including evening hours on Friday   Saturday, October 4: Blessing of the Animals Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church, Dearborn   Friday, October 24: Black Tie & Tails Dearborn Inn; 7:00pm to midnight - our biggest fund raiser of the year - spread the word and come if you can!!   Sunday, October 26: Howl-o-Ween Bully Fun Fest Pat Currey’s Family Pet Care, Romulus; 11am-4pm   October: Beggin’ 4 Bones Halloween canister donation drive 2 benefit homeless animals   Sunday, November 9: Trivia Day

Please remember a few easy things:

• The Volunteer eNews&Needs web page is updated at least weekly and contains all the latest.  Get to it from the Volunteer section at the bottom of the home page and also from the Volunteer section - the link if in the upper right corner of every web page. 
• Help is always needed
  1. Working WITH animals -- in the shelter to walk the dogs and cuddle the cats, with offsite adoption events, and with classes at the Training Center.
  2. Working FOR the animals -- distributing PawPrints and other event fliers, Dialing Donors to say thanks for their contributions, helping with the next event, and other special needs.

Whether you prefer to help by giving your time and/or your money, the animals need and thank you!

                         
                          Stevie Cote
       Friends President and Board Chair