Looking for shelter - Funds sought for new facility

By Rick Schulte
HPR Media Services

William Wadsworth just can’t understand the disparity. Photo by John Simon

A few miles away sits Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which has earned a reputation for being one of the nation’s best.

Romulus has a jewel with the airport.

But near the corner of Goddard and Wayne roads sits the Romulus Animal Shelter, an aging facility that is badly in need of replacement.

Sometimes, it leaks. It can be cold and damp in the winter. In the summer, a single window air conditioner tries to make it bearable.

And bathroom breaks for the workers usually require a trip down the street, either to an ambulance service or to a Burger King restaurant.

It’s not a comfortable environment for humans or animals.

“We’re supposed to be a big town with a billion-dollar airport, and we have a shelter like this,” said Wadsworth, a uniformed sergeant with the Airport Police as well as a 20-year member of the Romulus City Council. “It’s just not right.

“The current shelter was built in the 1930s. It’s deplorable. It’s a dungeon.”

So Wadsworth decided enough was enough.

Wadsworth is spearheading a drive to replace the current animal shelter. He’s seeking both private and corporate donations to make it happen.

Without wanting to burden the taxpayers of Romulus, Wadsworth introduced a resolution in January to set up an account to accept donations for a new shelter.

“People have enough things to pay for already, and it’s not really fair to ask them to pay more in taxes,” he said. “So we started to go with this plan.”

Wadsworth estimated it will take about $250,000 to construct a new city animal shelter. While it seems like a big number to reach solely with donations, the process seems to be moving along nicely.

In a little less than two months, more than $10,000 has been collected. It’s a pretty good number, considering Wadsworth hasn’t fully tapped into the city’s resources yet.

“This past week, we’ve began mailing every business in town,” he said. “There are a lot of new businesses in Romulus who are always saying they want to do something to be part of the community.

“If you want to get involved, here’s the perfect opportunity.”

Wadsworth recently drafted a letter to the corporate offices of Northwest Airlines, hoping to get the company involved with the project.

“I’m hoping the company reads this story, too, and decides to get involved,” Wadsworth said. “I hope a lot of businesses feel that way. They can help.”

Helping the community by having an updated shelter is one thing. Having one that’s fit for the creatures that inhabit it is another. Last year, approximately 2,000 cats and dogs, as well as other strays, were brought into the shelter.

Of those animals, about 300 were adopted out to new homes.

Unfortunately, almost half of the animals brought in had to be put to sleep.

“It’s sad,” Wadsworth said. “The truth is, we have no room for these animals.

“We could see there was a need. We were taking in more cats and dogs than we had room to store them. It’s unfortunate.”

Although corporate donations would go a long way toward funding the project, Wadsworth readily points out that smaller donations from individuals will be just as welcomed.

Aside from cash donations (which are tax deductible), selected UPC scan codes from Spartan brand products can be clipped and turned in at schools, selected area businesses and the Romulus Animal Shelter. For every 1,000 labels turned in, $20 will go toward the fund.

Wadsworth himself got the ball rolling with a $500 donation. His plan is to recognize donors who pledge various amounts, either in print or with some kind of proclamation at the new animal shelter.

To make a donation to the project, please contact the Romulus Animal Shelter at (734) 942-7591. Checks can also be made out to “Friend of the New Animal Shelter” and sent to City Treasurer’s Office (Attention: Pam Kersey), 11111 Wayne Road, Romulus, MI 48174.

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