Humane Society sponsors Be Kind to Animals Week

By Jennifer S. McDonald
C & G Staff Writer

Adults, children and animals alike will celebrate the gift of kindness during the Michigan Humane Society’s annual Be Kind to Animals Week May 4-10.

The observance encourages people to celebrate the companionship of all pets, said Kim Korona, community humane initiative educator for the MHS.

“The goal of the week is really to have a special time where we help kids promote humane values and kindness toward animals,” Korona said. “It was a great way to get kids excited about sending a message to other people about these values.”

For the first time, the MHS sponsored a Be Kind to Animals poster contest, where children were encouraged to creatively illustrate what the compassionate principle meant to them, Korona said. 

Out of 200 posters received, Rachel Dickerson, 13, of Clarkston won first place. Alexa Alonso, 9, of Troy was awarded second place. Third place went to Leah Creech, 15, of South Lyon. Maria Pangori, 12, of Clarkston earned an honorable mention. Dickerson received $500 in art supplies for her school, provided by Main Street Art in Milford. All winners who placed received a PETCO gift card, and their work will be published on the MHS Web site.

Alonso’s entry, titled “Paw in Paw: Give a Paw to Help a Furry Friend,” took her two weeks to create, she said, and shows a boy and girl playing with a rabbit, a cat and dog.

Since the Alonso family doesn’t have any pets because of allergies, Alexa’s mother, Jill, said it was great she came up with the idea on her own.

“She just has this love for animals,” Jill said. “She’s raised money for the MHS through a lemonade stand she set up with her friend. She’s taken her allowance money and bought pet food for them. We’re very proud of her.”

Alexa said she plans to donate the $75 PETCO gift card she won back to the MHS.

“Since I don’t have a pet, it’s kind of nice to donate money to people who want one,” Alexa said. “I just think (animals) are cuddly and cute. They’re fun to play with, and they can brighten your day.”

While volunteers make much of what the MHS does possible, the MHS also benefits from individuals in the community and donations, MHS spokesperson Stephanie Baron said.

“We wouldn’t be able to do half of the things we do without our volunteers,” Baron added. “It’s important we have them as part of our organization. They help in so many ways and help us to help so many more animals. We are so thankful to have them and are always looking for more.”

Baron said a few ways people in the community can help the MHS are by holding a can or bottle drive; organizing a pet walk-a-thon or read-a-thon; or by organizing a candy, bake or popcorn sale. Any money donated will go toward shelter, food and medicine for many animals, Baron said.

Craft projects include kitty forts for cats and kittens, made out of cardboard boxes, or shoebox homes for rodents, as well as bandanas for dogs and cats.

“Kids can do a number of things,” Baron said. “They can do a variety of crafts, but they can also do different types of fundraisers. Any fundraiser that’s fun and creative with animals is an option.”

Children can also help by participating in Pet Projects, a program that gives people between the ages of 7 and 13 a way to help animals in their community one Saturday per month at the MHS Rochester Hills Facility.

Items from the MHS wish list are always needed: batteries, blankets, towels, dog and cat food, and newspaper for bedding. A complete list can be found at www.michiganhumane.org by clicking on the Donate link. 

Craft and wish list items as well as monetary donations can be dropped off at any of the MHS Centers for Animal Care, including the Detroit Center at 7401 Chrysler Drive, the Rochester Hills Center at 3600 W. Auburn Road, and the center in Westland at 900 N. Newburgh Road.

Monetary donations can also be sent to the Michigan Humane Society’s Development Department at 30300 Telegraph Road, Suite 220, in Bingham Farms, 48025-4507.

For more information, visit www.michiganhumane.org or call (866) MHUMANE weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You can reach Staff Writer Jennifer S. McDonald at jmcdonald@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1112.