Paws on Parade a Success

Warwick Hills County Club in Grand Blanc hosted the Paws on Parade Benefit that helped raise over $40,000 for the Humane Society of Genesee County. All tickets to the event were sold and the 240 people that attended the benefit had the opportunity to bid on items such as a weekend getaway to a cottage in Grand Haven, lunch once a month for a year at Fandangle’s Restaurant in Flushing and also a weekend in Toronto Canada. Other items included pet portraits, Pandora bracelet and the opportunity to be the Paws Ambassador for 2011.

The money raised by the event helps to feed, shelter and provide medical care as needed on a daily bases to the animals. All money donated stays at the facility since the shelter receives no state government or national funding from other organizations. The facility this year is hoping to purchase a commercial washer and dryer with some of the money raised. By adding something as simple as a washer and dryer the Humane Society will be able to wash the blankets that are donated by volunteers throughout Genesee County. Tara Sturgis community relation’s director has said, “The shelter has had to turn away blankets because they could not afford the cleaning process. By adding the washer and dryer will allow us to clean the bedding and reuse them.”

It cost the Humane Society approximately $700,000 a year to operate. Last year through adoptions, contributions, grants and special events the Humane Society received $670,000 to help keep the facility in operation. The shelter offers tours, humane education, kids camp and a preschool story hour. For more information you can contact the Humane Society of Genesee County at (810) 744-0511.