Malcolm Forbes is famously quoted as saying, “You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who can do nothing for them.” This bodes well for the Grosse Pointe Animal and Adoption Society (GPAAS), which has been looking out for stray dogs and cats in our community for 27 years.
Corinne Martin, Executive Director, established GPAAS 27 years ago with friend Martha Schroeder, Vice President, and Co-Founder, to place dogs and cats needing homes with caring humans. The friends are dog people who also love cats, and they began accepting strays from the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods.
There was minimal need back then, according to Corinne, but that has changed over time. These days, GPAAS is running over capacity, like shelters nationwide. “We currently have space for about 60 cats and dogs, and we are currently at 100,” reports Corinne.
GPAAS is expanding and currently renovating a nearby 3,500-square-foot facility that will increase capacity to 30 pens. The goal is to open by the end of August. That’s good news for the 500-600 stray dogs and cats collected yearly from community streets and brought in by law enforcement because the need is acute, Corinne reports.
The building will be known as the Barbara N. Weiss Animal Protection Facility, named for a Grosse Pointe Farms resident who was devoted to improving the lives of animals and was very active in the shelter community for many years. When she passed away in 2023, she left a generous donation that made it possible to purchase the nearby building.
However, More funds are required, with the total cost of purchase and renovations estimated at $400,000.
Corinne hopes Grosse Pointers will support the project and donate since the Weiss Animal Protection Facility will serve such a vital role. An Open House Fundraiser is planned for August.
“We are so incredibly thankful for the generosity of Grosse Pointers, who have supported us for many years,” says Corinne. “We need our community to support our shelter to stay viable.” She hopes Grosse Pointers will consider donating to help defray the costs for the new Barbara N. Weiss Facility, which will triple capacity for GPAAS.
That is good news for stray dogs and cats in the five Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods. GPAAS is a no-kill shelter, which means they are non-euthanasia. The only exceptions are animals examined and found to be highly aggressive or too sick to thrive.
The most significant need, however, is for adoptions. “We need people who are willing to adopt cats and dogs. We are over capacity right now and have been over capacity for over a year,” Corinne reports. The overcrowding is due to a combination of factors, including the high cost of pet ownership and landlords who don’t allow renters to keep their pets with them.
“We encourage anyone interested in getting a dog or cat to consider adopting. Come visit us. Come to one of our Open Houses and meet the many dogs and cats we have who deserve a good forever home.”
People who are considering adoption are encouraged to visit. Corinne and the team at GPAAS will do the rest. They work with a trainer who works with the animals.
“Our screening process is very good,” she reports. “We can match the home environment with the pets we have. We pride ourselves on matching the people and the pet.”
All pets placed for adoption have received a complete veterinary exam, are up to date on all vaccinations, and are sterilized and microchipped.
GPAAS also serves as a resource for pet owners who have questions and concerns. “We will talk to anybody who is having trouble with their pets. They can call us with questions about behavior if they’ve lost their job or are worried they can’t take care of their pet.
“We’re here to help.”
GPAAS is always looking for volunteers ages 18+ to walk dogs three times per day, seven days per week. They can also help with feeding, laundry, and cleaning the facility or just visit with the dogs in an enclosed grassy yard nearby.
They are also hiring people ages 18+ to work in paid positions.
Open Houses occur on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - to 12 noon at Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society, 20542 Harper Avenue, Harper Woods. Telephone: (313) 884-1551.
Details about the planned fundraiser will be listed on the website: www.gpaas.org.
“We encourage anyone interested in getting a dog or cat to consider adopting. Come visit us. Come to one of our Open Houses and meet the many dogs and cats we have who deserve a good forever home.”