'In the Doghouse'

Sat, Nov 7, 2009    to del.icio.us

WEST OLIVE — The staff and volunteers at Harbor Humane Society are switching spots with their furry friends for the weekend.

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Beginning at 4 p.m. Friday afternoon, Harbor Humane volunteers and staff locked themselves into an outdoor kennel and will take shifts there until 7 p.m. today.

The first ever "In the Doghouse" event is an effort to drum up donations to the cash-strapped shelter and raise awareness of the plight of the animals put in the shelter's care.

"This is the worst financial crisis we've ever been in," said Harbor Humane Marketing Director Abbei Monroe.

More than 400 animals arrive at the shelter each month, Monroe said, and are becoming a financial strain. That's why they hope "In the Doghouse" brings in $10,000.

But the event is also designed to raise awareness of what can happen to animals that are left outside, especially now that temperatures are dropping and winter is on the way, Monroe said.

Harbor Humane workers have seen animals with severe frostbite, she said, and cats who have been so emaciated from being unable to catch mice in the frigid climate.

"You can't just stick an animal outside and expect it to be OK," Monroe said.

To get the point across, shelter employees left themselves outside in the cold, she said.

"Animals left outside can't tell you it's cold," she said. "The best way we thought we could make people understand what it's like was to do it to ourselves."

Many radio stations plan on attending the event throughout the day today, including WGHN 92.1 in Grand Haven, STAR 108 and 92.7 the VAN, Monroe said, and snacks and beverages will be available throughout the day.

Harbor Humane Society is located at 14345 Bagley St. in West Olive. Donations can be made in person, by calling (616) 399-2119 or online at www.harborhumane.org.