DEARBORN. August 2, 2019 – 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 will improve the health and wellness of the people in our community, raise awareness about pet ownership, and increase pet adoptions. This program will 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, litterbox training for cats, and training and socialization tips for dogs. Those that 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, MI 48126. Our current workshop dates are Wednesday, October 16, 2019 from 6-9pm, Saturday, November 9, 2019 from noon-3pm and Wednesday, November 20, 2019 from 6-9pm.

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is a full-service philanthropic organization leading the way to positive change in our region. As a permanent community endowment built by gifts from thousands of individuals and organizations, the Foundation supports a wide variety of activities benefiting education, arts and culture, health, human services, community development, and civic affairs. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $7 billion through nearly 69,000 grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair, and Livingston counties. For more information, please visit www.ctsem.org