October 29, 2003

Animal adoption

Pet Adopt-a-Thon brings together regional shelters, rescue groups

By Lisa Perkins
Herald staff writer

       Cats and dogs were on their best behavior - or tried to be - while prospective owners gave them the once over during a Pet Adopt-a-Thon sponsored by the PetSafe Rescue Alliance at the Northwestern Michigan Fairground over the weekend.
      Adoptable pets from 10 northern Michigan shelters and animal rescue groups put their best paw forward at the first ever combined event.
      "I thought it would be a great idea to get all of the larger groups together before winter hits, so that potential adoptive families could see pets that are available throughout our area," said Michael Dickinson, founder of the PetSafe Rescue Alliance of Interlochen.
      "Sometimes someone could be looking for a particular breed that a shelter in Roscommon might have, but they would have no way of knowing about it," he noted.
      Participating agencies included FURRI of Manistee, the Missaukee County Humane Society, the Roscommon County Animal Control, Kalkaska County Animal Control, Manistee County Humane Society, Ostego County Animal Control, Wonderland Humane Society of Cadillac, Second Noah of Reed City, the Wexford County Animal Control and PetSafe Rescue Alliance.
      "I would ideally like to see this happen every month, from spring until winter hits, in different cities throughout northern Michigan. The more exposure the animals get, the more likely that they will be adopted," Dickinson noted.
      Among the lucky pets finding a new owner, was a young lab mix named "Gypsy" who Linda Prechtl of Traverse City took a fancy to.
      "My dog died in June and when I heard about the adopt-a-thon on the radio I thought there would be a lot of good, quality dogs, who deserve a good home. I think we will be happy together," Prechtl said.
      In all 38 of 51 dogs and 27 of 47 cats on site were taken home to be part of a new family.
      Randy Sedlacek of Kingsley, picked an orange and white kitten - to be named later - to take home to his wife.
      "She couldn't make it today, but when she heard about it on the radio she wanted to come. We think this is a good way to find a great pet. I'm sure she will be happy with him," Sedlacek said.
      For more information on the PetSafe Rescue Alliance or future adopt-a-thons, call 231-392-3125 or visit www.petsaferescue.com