Gift wrapping to benefit pet shot clinics – December 3, 2004

The Daily Oakland Press  Dec. 3, 2004
Gift Wrapping to Benefit Pet Shot Clinics  by JOE FUCINI
Special to The Daily Oakland Press
More than half of all cats and dogs will receive gifts this holiday season, according to pet industry surveys.That should keep Farmington Hills resident Marie Skladd and a group of fellow volunteers from the Michigan Animal Adoption Network very busy.

Skladd, who founded the animal charity more than a decade ago, and her fellow volunteers are offering a gift-wrapping service at area Pet Supplies “Plus” stores to raise money for the group’s Free Shot Clinic Program.

The group sponsors shot clinics throughout the metro area, vaccinating pets against rabies and distemper. Most of these dogs and cats are owned by seniors on fixed incomes, the long-term unemployed and others who have had a difficult time paying for the vaccinations.

“The prescription drug crisis doesn’t just affect people,” said Skladd. “There are times when a family’s economic situation changes because someone loses their job or gets sick, but they still have their pet and the pet still needs vaccinations, so we step in to help.”

Last year, the group inoculated more than 3,000 pets. Although the group takes donations for the shots on site, it still spent more than $7,000 to fund the program.

“It’s an expensive service, which is why we are trying to raise money through this unique holiday gift-wrapping service,” said Skladd.

Volunteers from the group will wrap pet presents in dog and cat holiday paper. In exchange, they’re asking for a donation of $2 to $10 per gift, depending on size.

Gift-wrapping volunteers will be at the Pet Supplies “Plus” store Rochester Hills and Royal Oak locations 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, the Farmington Hills location 1-4 p.m. Sunday; and its Lake Orion, White Lake and Bloomfield Hills stores 1-5 p.m. Dec. 12.

Visit the group’s Web site at www.mi-aan.org or call (248) 545-5055 for specific times and locations.

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