Puppy love

This Friday, the Ingham County Animal Shelter will be open from 4 p.m. until 4 a.m. for the Holiday All-Nighter, with the goal of giving every pet in the shelter a happy home for the holidays. State Rep. Joan Bauer will start the event by presenting a $1,900 check to the Mason shelter from a September fundraiser held by Preuss Pets in Old Town. The presentation will start at 4 p.m. and will serve as the opening for the 12-hour event. Although not affiliated with the ICAS, the animal connection between Preuss Pets, mid-Michigan’s biggest pet store, and the animal shelter is a strong one. 

“When (ICAS) lost funding for their cruelty investigation, it left a lot fewer resources for people to be able to call in and have possible cruelty investigated,” said Kirbay Preuss, daughter of owner Rick Preuss. “We just felt the need to do something.”

Preuss said her father had ICAS director Jamie McAloon-Lampman on his radio show, "Pet Talk," last summer. McAloon-Lampman told Preuss that some of the organization’s funding was being cut, and this conversation inspired the fundraising event.

“Our mission has always been to provide the safest homes for pets and the best situations for them to live in,” Preuss said. “When they lost funding, it definitely struck close to home for us.” 

The Holiday All-Nighter will have adoption specials, with a $21 adoption fee for all animals, which includes spaying or neutering, vaccinations and a microchip. If cute kittens and puppies aren’t enough to get you there, the event will be also feature games, door prizes and refreshments. There will also be a pajama party for volunteers.

So while it may be a little more challenging to add a cute new member to the family during the chaotic holiday season, at least the Ingham County Animal Shelter is making it easier for you.

Holiday All-Nighter
Friday, Dec. 21