The 3rd annual "Love Connection" Valentine adoption event at the Michigan Animal Rescue League will be held Feb. 9 and local elementary school students will provide some of the decorations.
Animal Rescue League
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Facing another Valentine's Day without a companion? Perhaps the Michigan Animal Rescue League can help you make a "love connection."
"We have the most charming, good-looking singles in the area that have four legs and a tail," said Kayla Allen, shelter director.
For the third year, the Michigan Animal Rescue League (MARL) in Pontiac is hosting its "Love Connection" Valentine adoption event and there's sure to be lots of love in the air. Check out the area's "most eligible singles" from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at MARL, 790 Featherstone in Pontiac. Those who want to give a pet a permanent home are welcome to find their perfect match from among the more than 150 puppies, kittens, cats and dogs at the shelter.
Many people have discovered that love at first sight does exist - last year, MARL placed 31 animals and in 2006 35 pets found homes during the Valentine event.
The event is designed to be fun, with the shelter transformed into "Love Connection Headquarters," said Allen.
"There's no mistake about it when you walk in here," she said, referring to the numerous Valentine hearts along the wall in a palette of red, pink and white that have filled the building during past events.
The transformation into "Love Connection Headquarters" will be made complete thanks to the efforts of some special helpers. Second graders at Pleasant Lake Elementary School in the Walled Lake school district will make valentines with special messages. A local kids hockey team will also create decorations that will be on display during the event, said Allen.
Angie Smith, a second grade teacher at Pleasant Lake elementary, said her students are studying the importance of community as part of their social studies unit, so she plans to tie in the project with those lessons.
"I think it's a great way for us to build community," she said.
It was parent Debra Schwartz who first suggested the class get involved, said Smith. It didn't take long for word to spread to the other second grade teachers at Pleasant Lake, whose classrooms will also participate. Approximately 80 students will create Valentine messages, said Smith.
Schwartz is a volunteer at MARL whose daughter is a student in Smith's class. She said through their volunteer efforts, she's showing her daughter the importance of giving back to the community.
Schwartz plans to bring in photos of the shelter animals when students write their Valentine message.
"I think they are going to love it," said Smith, adding that not only will students learn a hands-on lesson about community, but that hopefully many of the animals will find a home.
MARL will help people find a good match during the Valentine adoption event, said Allen.
For more information, call (248) 335-9290 or visit www.michigananimalrescueleague.org.
