DEARBORN, Michigan – Late spring and summer bring excess homeless animals through the doors of the Dearborn Animal Shelter each year. In addition to the steady flow of stray and displaced animals, new litters of kittens and puppies add pressure to the Shelter’s resources. It is common right now for several litters to arrive each week, baby animals that require extra attention and time.
Erin E. and her family provide foster care for Shelter animals like these playful kittens seeking a home, a network that the organization hopes to expand.
According to Elaine Greene, Executive Director, Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter, “Humans are the solution to the situation. Right now, we need people willing to adopt, to open their homes as foster housing or volunteer time to support us in all sorts of functions. Volunteering can be hands-on, at the Shelter itself, remotely during events or many opportunities in between. We even welcome volunteer gardeners to keep the grounds presentable for visitors to the Shelter.”
This cyclical trend in animal population is a pattern for the sheltering industry, but there is an added emphasis for metro Detroit based organizations as the local economy continues to result in more displaced pets. Greene continued, “Several times per week we receive family pets surrendered to us in hopes of adoption because the owners can no longer afford to care for their companion animal. It is heartbreaking for all involved, but this is now a regular occurrence, when only a few years ago, it was far less common.” Surrendered pets are among the many animals that are left in the street, in abandoned homes or any number of circumstances that add to the homeless and stray population.
As with other shelters, the Dearborn Animal Shelter requests assistance to curtail the situation. The most helpful solution is adoption of a rescued animal, but providing temporary foster housing is an invaluable option as well as volunteering time. Animals adopted from the Shelter are sterilized as part of the organization’s efforts to help prevent more unwanted litters. Further, these animals are micro-chipped before leaving the Shelter to help identify them if lost, to increase their likelihood of return to their homes. Existing pet owners are encouraged to take these steps as well.
The Dearborn Animal Shelter is located at 2661 Greenfield Road, Dearborn, and is operated by the Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Main phone (313) 943-2697 and online www.DearbornAnimals.org. The organization, which is more than 90% donor funded, accepts monetary donations and supplies in person or online.