Love Me Because
Photo by Gabriel Goodwin
Patti Christie, owner of Hood’s Do-It Best Hardware, 1844 Ford Ave., holds up a sweater the Love Me Because committee will sell during its Feb. 8 pet adoption event. The Love Me Because committee is part of Precious Animal Welfare Society of Michigan, which cares for and adopts out special needs animals to willing new owners. Christie said the committee is looking for “special people to love these special souls.” The sweaters are $10 and there will be shirts available for $8. The proceeds will be used to aid special-needs animals in foster placement.
By GABRIEL GOODWIN
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE — The Love Me Because pet adoption event is entering its fifth year with the goal of putting harder-to-adopt animals in the spotlight February 8.
The event will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at Hood’s Do-It Best, 1844 Ford Ave. The event’s coordinator, Hood’s owner Patti Christie, said about 60 special-needs animals will be available for adoption.
“The animal’s special needs don’t necessarily mean that it is a medical issue or it is going to cost the owner a lot of money,” she said. “The animals just have to meet a certain set of requirements.
“We don’t bring in a bunch of kittens that are easily adoptable. For example, some of the dogs and cats have specific dietary needs or they are just colors that are less adoptable than others.”
Most of the animals available for adoption have been in a shelter or foster placement for an extended period of time, she said, and the animals will adjust to a new life very quickly. Christie said potential adopters will be required to fill out an application and submit to a background check.
There are questions about how the adopters will handle obedience problems and their patience with the animals barking excessively, she said, that will allow them to ensure a good fit between the adopters and the animals. She said they will also check the veterinarian history on the potential adopters to ensure they have their animals up-to-date on shots.
“First-time adopters are welcome too,” Christie said. “There are a lot of people who spent a lifetime around animals, but they haven’t officially owned an animal. We just try to get to know the people who want to adopt an animal and make sure they will give these animals the love they deserve.”
There will be a “cup auction” during the adoption event, she said, where people can buy raffle tickets and place them into a cup in front of the items they would like to win. Some of those items include a Samsung tablet, hockey tickets, and a hand-carved fairy door. She said there will be items for cats, dogs and humans.
There will be a bake sale with animal themed baked goods, T-shirts, and personalized cat and dog tags available for purchase during the event. People also can buy hearts that will be displayed around the hardware store for $1. Precious Animal Welfare Society of Michigan mascot Fluffy also will make an appearance during the event.
The money raised will help support the group’s foster and adoption programs in southeast Michigan, fund its spay and neuter surgery, and its programs that provide pet food to low-income families with pets.
“They money is important because we can help these animals until they are adopted,” Christie said. “However, getting these special-needs animals adopted is the most important thing.”
According to Love Me Because … Adoption Event website, the event has raised more than $20,000 to better the lives of homeless animals and has found homes for about 60 animals. The event is sponsored by P.A.W.S. of Michigan, Cat Trees by Noel, Glow Fish Studios, Cahill Veterinary Hospital, AAA Pet Services, Wellness Spa, and Linda Muzycaka and Mr. Pink.
To donate to P.A.W.S. of Michigan or to support the Love Me Because event, go to www.pawsofmichigan.com or www.lovemebecause.org or send donations to: Love Me Because c/o Hood’s Do-It Best, 1844 Ford Ave., Wyandotte, MI, 48192.
(Gabriel Goodwin can be reached at ggoodwin@bewickpublications.com.)