Best friends

Meijer employees, vaccine clinic help fund Romulus Animal Shelter

The recent vaccination and health clinic for pets draws smiles
from pet owners at the reduced rates offered for
professional veterinary care at the Romulus Animal Clinic.
Photos by Roger Kadau

While the residents of the Romulus Animal Shelter usually don't compete for anything other than Milk-Bones and dog treats, they were big winners in a recent contest at the Belleville Meijer store.

The local store was given $10,000 from corporate headquarters to donate to local organizations and Belleville store employees were asked to choose  facilities to receive a portion of the gift. While there were several ideas for the funds, former Romulus Councilman Barry Baumann, who works part time at the store, suggested $5,000 for the Romulus Animal Shelter. Baumann, who is retired, said he simply asked his fellow employees to vote for the city shelter and they did the rest. 

“All I did was ask my coworkers to help the Romulus shelter out and give it their vote,” Baumann said. He explained that the store management, including store manager Josh Grisham, made the final decision. “I believe that the other $5,000 went to the First Step shelter in Westland,” he said.

Romulus Councilman Bill Wadsworth was more than appreciative of the donation.

“With the pandemic, donations have plummeted,” he said. “This was a Godsend for us.” Wadsworth led the effort for the construction of the shelter using donations and in-kind contributions. The shelter continues to operate on donations and contributions. Wadsworth noted that during his years of involvement with the shelter, there have been about $350,112 in donations to help keep the facility operating and care for the animals. During the pandemic, however, Wadsworth was unable to host the main shelter fundraising events, a Bingo night and a bowling night, making this donation even more crucial.   

“This money will go right into operating the shelter. That's the only place it can be used,” Wadsworth said.

Wadsworth added that a major contributor to the shelter is veterinarian Dr. John Hammond who operates the vaccination clinic at the shelter annually. That event took place recently and drew a large crowd of pet owners seeking the reduced-price vaccinations offered during the one-day event. Wadsworth said that each year, following the clinic, Hammond writes a generous check to the facility.

“He's a really big supporter,” Wadsworth said.

Anyone wishing to donate to the shelter can do so by sending a check to the Friends of the Romulus Animal Shelter, c/o Romulus Treasurer's Office, 11111 Wayne Road, Romulus, MI 48174. For more information, contact Wadsworth at (734) 941-0616.