By David Fleet

Editor

Groveland Twp.

-A box of kittens. A dog tied to the door knob. Two white birds.

When Carl Liepmann arrives at work in the morning at the Genesee County Humane Society each week he finds something different.

“If it walks or flies we’ve had it on our doorstep,” he said. “It’s not uncommon for us to shelter for anywhere from 100-125 dogs, cats, snakes, birds or whatever (on a daily basis). We’ve had snakes, turtles and parrots dropped off, too.”

Despite an improved economy that’s helping find more animals homes, the number of new arrivals each day continues, prompting the need for food and maintenance.

However, Santa Dog and his Reindogs have taken a bite out of those costs.

Liepmann, along with Santa Dog and friends, help raise money at Bueche’s Food World in both Ortonville and Flushing, for the Genesee County Humane Society. As customers enter the stores, they are greeted by the world class dogs and drop a few bucks in the jar to help feed the dogs at the local Humane Society.

This year the dogs will be at the Bueche’s Food World 400 N. Ortonville Road store from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Dec.14, 15,16 and 17. All donations are tax deductible. Checks are accepted.

“We no longer need money in our budget for food here thanks to the donations,” said Liepmann. “The customers at the Ortonville and Flushing Bueches are generous enough to supply all the food. We make enough in eight days to feed the dogs all year.”

He added that every penny of the money raised goes toward food for the animals.

“Right now we contend with between 4,000-6,000 animals per year,” said Liepmann. “We are doing our best to be a no-kill shelter. We’ve had animals with us up to six months before they are adopted—so they are with us for a while, then someone will come in to adopt them.”

“During the 1984 Christmas season, our first year, we raised enough money to purchase 3,500 pounds of food. Last year we topped 25,000 (pounds of food), said Liepmann, who has been bringing ‘Santa Dog’ to the Bueche’s in Flushing for 33 years including six years in Ortonville.

The Santa Dog fundraiser is the biggest annual food fund drive for the Humane Society, which feeds about 100 dogs daily during the year. Tax deductible donations can also be made to Santa Dog, Genesee County Humane Society, Carl Liepmann, 9144 West Mt. Morris Road, Flushing, MI 48433.