Times are ruff for everyone

NICOLE BEDNARSKI

Features Editor

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” —Oscar Wilde We have all seen the commercials for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: images of abused and forgotten pets, picked from the streets and cared for by the local animal shelter, fill the screen as Sarah McLachlan’s voice pours from the speakers. And it’s difficult to fight back those tears when considering all the pets abandoned in poverty-stricken areas, such as Detroit, during times of economic crisis, like the one we are in now. The Michigan Humane Society understands this. The problems are seen every day in the community, and more than 100,000 animals will come through the MHS’s doors this year. Next year it will be the same. Now the MHS is providing animal lovers with a fun way to help. On Oct. 3 at the Hart Plaza in Downtown Detroit, the MHS will hold its fifth annual Mega March for Animals. A 2.5 mile-walk, a portion of which is along the Detroit Riverwalk, will begin at 10 a.m. for individuals, families, teams, local businesses and any canine companions. “We currently have roughly 250 teams and 1,150 walkers signed up online,” said MHS Public Relations Coordinator Kevin Hatman, “which means that we expect more than 5,000 people to show up.” That is around the same turnout the event had last year, raising enough funds to help more than 2,500 animals “go from homeless to loved,” as described in the MHS motto. “Unfortunately, there are animals within our communities that are unwanted, abused, neglected and suffering,” said Cal Morgan, President and CEO of the MHS, in a Sept. 15 press release. “Many end up homeless and alone, wandering the streets, wondering where their next meal will come from or if they’ll have a warm place to sleep. “With your help, we can make a difference in the lives of these animals that desperately need our help.” Pre-registration is not required, but those who wish to attend the walk must check in at 9 a.m. For members of the community unable to attend the walk on Oct. 3 that still wish to give to the MHS, there are a number of options described at: michiganhumane.org. And for an even more local event, hold on to your sneakers until May, because The Humane Society of Huron Valley, located in Ann Arbor, will have its 32nd annual, one-mile “Walk and Wag” for local pet lovers and owners. For more information, visit: hshv.org.