I spoke with Kristina Jones who is manager of the new Metro Detroit Pet Expo being held November 19-21, 2010 at the Rock Showplace in Novi, Michigan.  From what I learned from Kristina and what we saw on the new website for the expo, there are some substantial changes over prior pet-related expos that have been held at the same venue.  For example, nonprofit rescue organizations are being offered 50 tickets that they can sell as a fundraiser or pass along to their volunteers – or both.  Rescue groups are also being offered some very large spaces to make bringing in adoptable pets easier and to provide greater viewing areas for the prospective adopters.  The public can bring their pets – they must be spayed or neutered adult pets on a short leash (6 foot maximum, no retractable leashes) — and accompanied by a responsible guardian.  (Due to health concerns of birds in the show, pet birds will not be allowed.)  And, you can get $2 off admission to the show by bringing an unopened can or bag of pet food that will be donated to a local humane society.  Plus, they have a great new website – see it at www.metrodetroitpetexpo.com.

Because rescue groups work so hard at what they do – saving and caring for homeless pets — many do not have time – or resources – to spend on marketing and fundraising.  NOOTERS CLUB® wants to help.  NOOTERS CLUB® has developed a series of fundraising programs to provide rescue groups and shelters with ideas for some easy fundraising efforts.  One of these is the NOOTERS CLUB® ROOTERS program in which nonprofit organizations can earn 15% of proceeds simply by inserting a special link to the NOOTERS CLUB® website on their homepage.  There are even suggestions and templates for organizations to use in promoting this link in their local community.
NOOTERS CLUB® ROOTERS also receive monthly marketing and fundraising tips and wholesale DISCOUNTS on NOOTERS CLUB® merchandise. We are always looking for ways we can help spread the word about pet spay and neuter and raise money for rescues.  WE WOULD ALSO LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR MARKETING AND FUNDRAISING CHALLENGES.  WE WILL ANSWER THOSE THAT WE CAN  – MAYBE OTHER GROUPS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING.  Email to Lindaw@nootersclub.org.

NOOTERS CLUB® was a sponsor of the Cat Days of Summer 200-cat adoption event held at three Pet Supplies Plus® stores in southeastern Michigan July 9-11. We also handled promotion of the event (See how NOOTERS CLUB® developed the event campaign at www.nootersclub.org/CatDays.htm), which resulted in the adoption of 65 cats and kittens from Oakland Pet Adoption Center and Elizabeth Lake Animal Rescue.  While we would have liked to see all of them get adopted, we were happy to see so many go home, especially in this economy.

My favorite story from the event is of the lovely couple who came in with the goal of finding the cat with the roughest start in life.  One of their beloved cats had recently passed away and they wanted to give a good home to an adult cat that had less of a chance of getting adopted than the cute kittens.  They chose Antonio (since renamed), a lovely older cat who could not have gone to a better home. 

I also ended up adopting a second cat for my mother who was on vacation in Germany at the time.  My Mom said no to her first cat, Sadie, who is now her best friend.  So I conspired with Mom’s neighbor Elaine to get Sadie a much-needed friend.   We found 7-year-old Humphrey (renamed Hootie due to his large, beautiful owl-like eyes) and Elaine has spent the past two weeks making the introduction.  I think the two are getting used to each other.  My Mom – it may take a little time for her to get used to the idea – I left her a bottle of wine. 

In addition to the adoptions, NOOTERS CLUB® sold $20 spay and neuter certificates offered through Michigan Humane Society and Michigan Pet Fund Alliance for low-income families in Oakland County, Michigan. 

The real star of all this is Pet Supplies Plus® store owner Addy Shattuck.  Since she began adopting out cats and kittens from her stores about 4-5 years ago, Addy is responsible for the placement of more than 2,000 cats.  More on Addy in another of my blogs.

Make sure that you see the PSA featuring Glee actress Jane Lynch promoting pet spay and neuter as a way to help control pet overpopulation. This is the first time I have seen Lynch outside of her role as Glee’s bitchy and manipulative cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester. Lynch, who comes across as very warm and sincere, encourages more pet owners to do their part by getting their pets fixed and encourages them to search online for spay and neuter resources. (BTW if you’re looking for low-cost spay/neuter – there is a comprehensive directory at www.nootersclub.org/lowcostspayneuter.htm)
The PSA also raises awareness about the large number of shelter pets that never find homes and are euthanized. We wish that more shelters and humane societies would step forward with this message. Too many, in our opinion, mask the facts. For example, in our state of Michigan, people are shocked when I mention that not all animals make it out of the shelters. They usually say something like, “Where did you ever hear that?!” We love seeing celebrities coming out for the plight of homeless pets. Great casting, PETA and good show, Jane!
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b180553_glees_jane_lynch_wants_your_dog_stop.html

I live in a small community of 2,000.  When I moved here 9 years ago, every spring we had a lot of stray kittens that usually disappeared by the middle of summer only for a new “batch” to follow.  After several years of appealing to Sylvan Lake City Council, the City agreed to let me run a TNR (Trap and Release) program.  While 37 will sound like a very small number to many of you (a day’s work for some!), trapping and sterilizing this number of cats has greatly reduced the number of kittens being born.  Neighbors have been great, for the most part.  A local vet and our county animal control have been providing vaccinations and spay/neuter.  Neighbors and our local Pet Supplies Plus help with adoptions.  I would be happy to share info on our program if anyone is interested.

Nooters Club was on hand June 27 to help Tiny Paws Rescue find homes for homeless rabbits at the Pet Supplies store in White Lake, Mich.   I spoke with and pre-screened prospective adopters considering taking a bunny home.   We also had our Nooters Club rabbit motif apparel items for sale with a part of the proceeds going to Tiny Paws Rescue.  I continue to be amazed by the number of people who are shocked that you should get your rabbit fixed.  When I mention that I have four, I usually hear something like, “I bet you are going to end up with a lot more, ha, ha.”  Not if Nooters Club can help it!

Nooters Club is joining with two Michigan Hooters to launch spay and neuter events in Troy, Michigan and Grand Rapids, Michigan in September and October 2009.  We are working with All About Animals Rescue in Warren, Michigan and C-Snip in Grand Rapids, Michigan, both high-quality, low-cost shelters that will pre-sell spay and/or neuter vouchers at the events.   Watch for more information on this blog and in our NOOZLETTER which you can sign up to receive monthly at nootersclub.org.

If you are a camper, before you go out and buy all that fancy gear like collapsible doggie dishes and freeze-dried dog food, do the best thing possible for your pet.  Get him or her fixed.  A spayed or neutered dog is less likely to stray from the campsite.  AND, you will not come home with a litter! Neither will your campground neighbor! Many pet guardians are amazed at how quickly the pet mating ritual can occur. Somewhere between the campfire songs and the s’ mores, you could come home with more little campers than you bargained for!  So help us “Prevent Littering®” and see your veterinarian before you pack your tent.

Many pet supplies stores host pet adoptions, but the Pet Supplies Plus store in White Lake, Mich. is cranking things up.  Owner Addy Shattuck always has about 10 cats for adoption in each of her three stores.  Now, in collaboration with Oakland Pet Adoption Center in Auburn Hills Mich., she is bringing in a dozen or more from the Center for the weekends when the number of shoppers increases.  Shattuck, a huge animal lover, says she will continue the program through the summer.  For information call 248-889-4131.

Spay Alabama recently held a Hooters for Nooters fundraiser at the Trussville, Alabama Hooters featuring Nooters Club products. Head of Spay Alabama Donald Kendrick says that each year about 160,000 dogs and cats go into Alabama shelters and animal control facilities and about 120,000 of these are euthanized. Donald is committed to reducing pet overpopulation in his state and has been working with Nooters Club as one way to raise pet owner awareness. See coverage of the event on
CBS Channel 42 at nootersclub.org/news