Lending a Paw

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. ~ Mohandas Gandhi

When hard times fall on people, they also crash down on their furry companions.

As pet owners lose homes, they’re often left relinquishing their animals to shelters or rescues because they can no longer care for them.

Others cite allergies, children or work schedules as reasons behind handing over their pets.

And, some animals have never known a loving home at all.

That’s where people like Chris Osborne of A True Blue Rescue in Chesterfield and Paula Green of Futures 4 Felines in Algonac come in. Both women work tirelessly to find puppies and dogs and kittens and cats, respectively, good homes through pet adoption events each weekend at Petco in Chesterfield.

New Baltimore-Chesterfield Patch joined them last Sunday as a helper and also to learn more about the rescues. As it turned out, we just missed the rush. On the previous day, six cats and three dogs were placed with families, leaving only two female cats for viewing.

“At this time of the year, we always have good adoptions,” said Green, who is gearing up for the busy “kitten season.”

While many pets are released to the rescues, strays are also pulled from so-called kill shelters for a new lease on life. Once the canines are in Osborne’s care, she ensures they’re matched with the right people by finding out about potential owners' schedules and home life as well as giving them a trial run with the pet.

Her experience as a retired police officer for the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office (who briefly worked in the K-9 unit) comes in handy with accessing animals and their potential homes in a short period of time.

Although she’s heard a laundry list of reasons pet owners want to give away their animals, she said, “I would say 20% out of 100% are genuine problems. The other 80% are fixable.”

While Patch was merely a visiting volunteer, there are regular helpers who keep the rescue running smoothly. These people range from fosters, groomers and adoption-event workers.

Clinton Township resident Trevor Hayes, 17, has clocked in more than 58 volunteer hours for credit at L’Anse Creuse Central in Harrison Township.

Hayes says he enjoys talking to people about animals and spending time with the cats and dogs.

“It’s fun…You get to interact with them,” said the junior.

Green and Osborne credit Petco for allowing them to use the store at 23 Mile and Gratiot next to Jo-Ann Fabrics for the adoption events from noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

“We’re guests here and they’re excellent to us,” Osborne said. “They help us keep our heads above water."