Help Michigan Pets

Did you know that July 5 is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters in the United States? That's when they have more strays than at any other time.

Pets don't like loud noises, and when they see and hear fireworks, they get scared. If they're outside, they run, and it's not easy to catch them.

It doesn't even have to be a major fireworks display to send a dog or cat into panic mode. Backyard fireworks have the same result. That's why it's so important to keep pets inside whenever you know or strongly suspect that fireworks will be set off.

We all know that fireworks aren't limited to just one day a year, but we also know that July 4 is a huge day for fireworks lovers. It's important to keep your pets inside so that when the action starts, they'll be safe and unable to run away in terror.

Here's a writing contest geared toward dog lovers. It's free to enter, and the winner will get to choose an animal shelter to receive a $50 donation. The general info is given below, but be sure to follow the link at the end of this post for additional important details.

Genre: Non-fiction

Restrictions: For dog rescuers 18 and older. Write a compelling story about your dog's rescue in 500-1000 words. A photo of your dog is encouraged but not required. One entry per family. Must include word count and author's name, address, e-mail address, and phone number. All submissions must be submitted via e-mail in a .doc or .rtf format.

Deadline: September 1, 2012

Prizes: A $50 donation will be made to the animal shelter of the winner's choice. Everyone selected for publication in Mighty Tales of Rescue will receive a digital copy of the anthology. In addition, the winner will also receive a digital copy of Beating Cancer, an anthology of cancer survivor stories.

Entry Fee: None

Additional information: Writing Contest for Dog Lovers

Tail Wagger's 1990 has a simple mission: to help people help animals. One way they do this is with their low-cost vaccination clinics.

Tail Wagger's 1990 operates mobile clinics for routine pet vaccinations in seven cities across southeastern Michigan. They offer affordable rabies, distemper, and bordetella shots as well as reduced-cost microchipping services. If it's time for your pets to be vaccinated, this is a good opportunity to have it done at a much lower price.

If you're in the area, please consider helping out with the clinics. Tail Wagger's 1990 is seeking volunteers to help out with the check-in process and directing clients to the proper areas. The clinics last 4 hours, and volunteers will receive a free lunch.

The next mobile clinics will be in Sterling Heights and Beverly Hills.

Saturday, June 23, 10am until 2pm
Sit Means Sit
43674 Utica
Sterling Heights, MI 48314

Sunday, June 24, 10am until 2pm
Premier Pet Supply
31215 Southfield Road
Beverly Hills, MI 48025

Information about these and additional clinics is available on the Tail Wagger's 1990 website.

Tail Wagger's 1990 is also on Petfinder.

Here's a great opportunity to help some of Michigan's rescue animals!

Few Steps From Home, a rescue based in Bay City, has partnered with the Midland Loons to help animals. They're looking for volunteers to work the concession stands at Loons games, and the rescue will get 100% of the proceeds on everything they sell!

Few Steps From Home needs 12 volunteers to work during each game at the Loons baseball diamond. Here's the schedule:

Tuesday, July 3, 5-7pm
Saturday, August 25, 5-7pm
Saturday, September 1, 5-7pm
Saturday, September 3, 12-2pm

Please contact Lmbln1@hotmail.com to sign up.

If you'd like to help the rescue in another way, check out their volunteer application. Volunteer positions include follow-up calls to adopters, making crafts, updating websites, fostering, and much more. They're also open to your ideas for how you'd like to help them.

The application lists many more possibilities, so please take a look and see whether there's something that appeals to you. And of course, they're always grateful for donations!

Few Steps From Home is also on Petfinder.