By Sarah Bearup-Neal
Sun contributor
She didn’t want to become “the crazy cat lady collecting pets.” So Sue Nichols became a volunteer for AC Paw, a regional pet rescue.
“There are too many (homeless) animals and it was making me crazy,” said Nichols, the owner of Riverfront Deli, 6281 W. River Road/ M-22 in Glen Arbor. “Just writing a check wasn’t enough anymore.”
Nichols, a plainspoken woman, put her energy where her mouth is. Four years ago she signed on with AC Paw’s volunteer corps. A year later Nichols created the group’s annual fundraising event “A Slice of the Good Life.” The 2014 edition of the event takes place Sunday, Aug. 10, noon-4 p.m. in the Riverfront parking lot. And every cent raised goes toward AC Paw and its low-cost spay-and-neuter program “No Unwanted Pets.”
“Art and edibles,” said Nichols. “That’s what we’re selling.” Gift certificates to area restaurants. Paintings. Sculpture. Jewelry. Fiber art. They’re all donations made by local artists and food people.
AC Paw was established in 1995 by Antrim County residents June McGrath and Brian Manley. Nearly two decades later, AC Paw has rescued and placed close to 8,000 dogs and cats in their forever homes.
When AC Paw fosters homeless dogs and cats in volunteers’ homes they’re taken to the vet for a full exam, vaccinated and receive some basic socialization and training. And, every orphaned animal is neutered before adoption takes place.
“If you don’t stop the process of reproduction, you don’t stop overpopulation,” Nichols said. “I decided I needed to do more to help slow things down. I can’t keep taking in animals.”
According to the Michigan Humane Society, one female cat and her offspring can product up tot 420,000 descendents in seven years. Unspayed female dogs can produce up to 67,000 in an equal time period. Conversely, sterilization eliminates many behaviors that don’t work well for companion pets in human households including roaming and territorial aggression. Sterilized pets are generally more socialized and focused on their human companions—instead of distracted by the urge to breed.
Animal overpopulation is of particular interest to Nichols, the human in the life of three rescued dogs. That’s what she’s focused on; but Nichols quickly points out AC Paw offers a wide range of other volunteer opportunities besides fundraising.
“You could transport animals. You could help at Petsmart during adoptions,” said Nichols of the Traverse City pet center where AC Paw holds weekly adoption events.
The other thing people can do is foster, perhaps the heart and soul of AC Paw. The group’s website—another source of rescue-related straight talk—describes the benefits that accrue to animals who are able to live in foster homes as they await forever homes: “Animal control officers rarely have the time to rehabilitate a dog with a broken pelvis as a result of being hit by a car, or to bottle feed orphaned kittens for a month. Neither do they normally have the capacity to allow the 10-year-old Lab the months it will take to find someone special to adopt him. AC PAW Foster Home providers can and do take the extra time it takes to commute their death sentence to life with a loving family.” AC Paw does not operate if not for its foster car givers, and right now, “all our foster (homes) are full,” Nichols said.
AC Paw pays for foster critters’ medicine, food, toys “anything fosters parents need to make sure that animal is comfortable,” Nichols said. “Everything is paid for.”
And, it gets expensive. Of every dollar raised, 94 cents of it is used for direct care. “We don’t have a building, there are no executives, no salaries, no nothing,” she said.
Adoption fees bring in some of the revenues. Puppies and dogs are $150; cats and kittens are $100. The rest come through grants, donations and fundraising projects like “A Slice of the Good Life.”
Besides the edibles and art, AC Paw volunteers and their foster dogs will also be at “A Slice of the Good Life.” Visitors can get nose-to-whisker with a number of fosters who are waiting to assume their permanent role as love slaves in human homes.
And there’ll be Sue Nichols, the mince-no-words alpha dog of this event, whose tough talk belies a very tender heart.
“If you don’t vote, you can’t bitch,” she said. “You’ve got to stand up and make a difference. Everybody has their pet projects—no pun intended. Being kind to animals means a lot to me.”
Helping man’s best friend
AC Paw is one of many nonprofit pet rescue organizations in the region. Here are some others:
• Cherryland Humane Society: CherrylandHumane.org
• Benzie Animal Welfare League: This nonprofit group works in conjunction with Benzie County Animal Control. To see their adoptable dogs and cats visit Awlobc.org.
• Frisco and Joey’s Mission: This Kalkaska County rescue focuses on senior and special needs pets in Northern Michigan. They also run a pet food pantry for low-income families in the area. Find them on Facebook and Petfinder. Or call 231-645-0394
• HANDDS to the Rescue: An all-foster, non-profit rescue for dogs and cats serving Grand Traverse, Benzie and Wexford counties. Handdstotherescue.com
• Great Lakes Humane Society (formerly Pine Cone Farm): This private, non-profit rescue located 3 miles west of Traverse City, currently focuses on placing dogs. The group’s plans for the future include construction of a heated barn to house cats, pot-bellied pigs and abandoned livestock. Greatlakeshs.com.
