Local Animal Rescue Loses Van, Supply Trailer, Cash, and Food to Theft

PRLog (Press Release) - Sep 17, 2009 -
DETROIT – Tragedy struck local non-profit animal rescue group, HomeFur-ever, on Tuesday when their donated van and supply trailer were stolen within the city limits of Detroit.  The group’s van and supply trailer contained the majority of the group’s resources required to assist the 90+ rescued animals currently in their care, as well as to assist them in rescuing additional animals in need.  The no-kill rescue group does not currently have a shelter facility, but instead houses its animals with foster families throughout the Detroit metropolitan area.  HomeFur-ever also utilizes its van and the animal crates stored within the trailer to transport their animals to weekly adoption events in order to help them obtain permanent homes.

The group was happy to learn on Wednesday that their vehicle and trailer had been abandoned and recovered; they were able to retrieve it from a city-contracted towing company, and are hopeful that damages sustained will be covered thru their insurance.  However, the contents suffered a different fate entirely!  HomeFur-ever was very sad to learn upon retrieval of their vehicle that nearly all of its contents had been stolen, including most of its animal crates.  This theft is seriously undermining the group’s ability to aid the animals for which it has taken responsibility, as well as their efforts to get the animals transported to adoption events so they may find new, loving families.

While it is impossible to identify a replacement cost for the items stolen, HomeFur-ever estimates the total value at approximately $6000.  Among the items stolen were:
•   Approximately $900 in cash from donations at a recent event
•   80+ animal crates of various sizes from small to extra large (the majority of the group’s animals are large breeds; the few remaining crates are smaller-sizes)
•   Approximately 700 pounds of dog food from recent donations (various types / brands)
•   Approximately 60 boxes/bags of donated doggie treats
•   6 tents used at adoption events
•   6 metal and 5 nylon folding chairs used at adoption events
•   A plastic swimming pool used to cool the animals
•   Cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, paper towels, plastic bags, etc.
•   Several dozen metal dog bowls
•   Six 5-gallon water jugs
•   Approximately $1000 worth of blankets, towels, dog crate pads and rugs used to cushion the animals in the crates
•   A supply of customized HomeFur-ever animal ID tags
•   Easels for signage display at adoption events
•   HomeFur-ever brochures/literature/forms
•   Animal care products including:  collars, shampoo, brushes, nail clippers, leashes, and dog toys
•   A large first-aid kit for animals including donated and purchased medications, syringes, etc.
•   Various office supplies used at animal adoption events including:  markers, pens, clipboards, printed forms, etc.

HomeFur-ever is asking the citizens of Detroit for the following assistance:
•   Citizens with animal crates and vans or SUVs who are willing to volunteer for the transport of animals to weekend adoption events until we can insure the vehicle is again in working order and are able to replace the crates required to transport the animals
•   Donations of crates, blankets, food, and other supplies needed to help us assist our animals
•   Any cash donations you can afford so that we may replace our supplies

Petco of Troy, located at 1217 Coolidge Highway, will be accepting donations of cash, food, crates, gift cards, and other supplies on behalf of HomeFur-ever this Saturday, September 19th from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.  If you are unable to visit Petco on Saturday, and are interested in providing similar donations, or if you are interested in assisting with animal transport to adoption events, you may contact our volunteer marketing firm, Strategic Growth Concepts, via email at Linda@StrategicGrowthConcepts.com.  A member of that firm will contact you to confirm your interest, and to facilitate arrangements with the HomeFur-ever organization.  Cash contributions may be made at any time using PayPal via the HomeFur-ever website at www.HomeFurever.com.