FAMD Grant Helps Low-Income Families, Seniors Adopt Pets

DEARBORN, MI — A grant will help bring workshops at the local animal shelter to help get more pets adopted. Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit (FAMD) has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan for a new pilot program that organizers say will improve the health and wellness of the people in the community, raise awareness about pet ownership, and increase pet adoptions.

This program is meant to remove animal adoption barriers for seniors and low-income households so they are able to adopt a companion animal from our shelter.

“It is an honor to receive a grant from such an esteemed organization as the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan,” said FAMD Board Chair MaryAnn Wright. “The funds received will allow us to bring our diverse community together by focusing on a common interest – the love of pets. Studies have shown that, in general, those who own a pet have higher levels of overall health and wellness. This program will allow us to focus on senior citizens and underserved families, reducing adoption fees and placing pets in loving homes.”

With the funding from the Community Foundation, FAMD will host free workshops which will be open to the public and include topics such as pet adoption awareness, tips for welcoming a new animal into your home, litter box training for cats, and training and socialization tips for dogs.

Those who attend the workshops will receive a voucher that can be used in the following six months for a reduced fee on an adoptable pet at the MaryAnn Wright Animal Adoption and Education Center. For those that lack transportation or flexibility with scheduling, a video of the workshops will be available online, and viewers will earn a reduced fee voucher once completed.

In addition, online resources and hand-outs will be provided, with information on topics helpful to those with a new pet.

The workshops will be held at the MaryAnn Wright Animal Adoption and Education Center, located at 16121 Reckinger Road, Dearborn. The current workshop dates are Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019 from 6-9pm, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 from noon-3pm and Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 from 6-9pm.