An area housecall veterinarian is sponsoring a charity golf outing to raise money for two groups that rescue dogs.
The event is called Putts for Paws and it will be held on Sunday, Sept. 13 at Devil’s Ridge Golf Club (3700 Metamora Rd.) in Oxford Township.
Proceeds will be split 50/50 between the Oxford-based K-9 Stray Rescue League and the Canine Companion Rescue Center (CCRC) based in Oakland County.
Veterinary Home Care is sponsoring the outing. It’s the practice of Dr. Elena Osborne, of Independence Township.
‘I was looking for ways to give back,? she said. ‘Those rescues do a great job for the community and the critters. All rescues are in need. Some of them have a lot more support financially and staff-wise than these guys do.?
The outing is an 18-hole, four-person scramble that will commence with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
For those who want to squeeze in a little practice prior to hitting the links, the driving range will open at 8 a.m.
Lunch is at noon and there will be a buffet dinner and silent auction beginning at 3 p.m.
On-site pet adoptions will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost is $140 per player. For those who just wish to have dinner, the price is $25.
Registration deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 1.
‘I’m hoping to raise close to $4,000 for them,? Osborne said. ‘I would love to make it an annual event. It all comes down to how successful the first one is.?
She is quite familiar with the K-9 Stray Rescue League and CCRC because she estimated ‘a little more than 50 percent? of her clients have rescue animals as opposed to ones purchased from breeders, ‘which is a good thing? to her.
‘I see a lot of dogs from those two particular rescues,? she said. ‘They do a great job of trying to match the personalities of the critters with families.?
Unlike breeders, who create dogs and sell them for profit, rescue groups take in canines that have been abandoned, abused and/or neglected and care for them until permanent homes can be found.
The K-9 Stray Rescue League is a state and federally-licensed nonprofit group formed in 1990 primarily to save dogs on euthanasia lists at animal shelters throughout Michigan. In 2014, the group took in 531 dogs and found homes for 531 dogs. The group operates a kennel at 2120 Metamora Rd., just west of M-24, capable of housing approximately 50 dogs
Founded in 2004, CCRC is a volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to working with the community and area animal control agencies to promote the adoption of homeless dogs. The group rescues and adopts approximately 700 dogs annually. All of CCRC’s dogs live with foster families in Clarkston, Oxford, Orion, Waterford and other communities in Oakland County.
‘Abandoned and stray animals are a big problem,? said Osborne, who has two rescue animals, a dog and a cat, at home.
She noted how the economic downturn a few years ago ‘really brought to light the struggles that people have taking care of their pets.? Many folks either couldn’t afford to keep their pets or had to give them up because they lost their homes to foreclosure. This led to a large influx of animals on the streets and in shelters.
Osborne said both the K-9 Stray Rescue League and CCRC provide a ‘phenomenal? level of care for dogs while they’re waiting to be adopted. That care ranges from ensuring their nutritional and medical needs are met to improving their socialization skills by placing them in the homes of loving foster families.
‘That’s a hard task for that many animals,? Osborne noted.
Both rescue groups spend tens of thousands of dollars annually on medical care for their dogs. This ranges from routine spaying and neutering to surgeries and medications.
‘Many of these critters are either injured or malnourished,? Osborne said. ?(They’re) definitely in need of veterinary care.?
For more information about the golf outing or to register, please e-mail Dr. Osborne at dr.ohomevet@att.net or call (248) 707-6280.
Please make checks payable to the K-9 Stray Rescue League. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.