What Can You Say About Detroit-area Animal Lovers? Happy Meowlidays!

We can't wait to get to the pet store for cat litter so we can canoodle with the caged kitties mewing for adoption. We stop and cock our heads at every bird cage we encounter, locking eyes with each little trilling head. We rush to pull alongside drivers with pet dogs who're seeking freedom, heads and tongues taking in window breezes - so we can wave and see them get truly excited.

And there isn't a dry eye in the house watching the TV commercials for abused animals, to the strains of Sarah McLachlan's mournful "In the Arms of an Angel."

Nowadays when you talk with animal lovers about adopting a pet, most say they will seek a shelter dog/cat, which are often older animals or ones who landed there after a sad or abused life.

The city of Royal Oak offers an online Petfinder link to its Animal Shelter, with predominantly cats needing good homes. It is a member of the ROOTS Foundation, which was established municipally to accept donations and endowments to improve civic institutions. Operated as a local service and managed by the Royal Oak Police Department, the shelter is multi-purposed.

It strives to provide a safe haven for lost animals, or to assist those given up by their owners. It also reunites owners with their lost animals and gives 100 percent effort to joining pets with new owners according to the unique personalities meshing in forever homes.

The shelter at 1515 N. Edgeworth will hold its last adoption attempt of the year with Meowliday Adoption Event on Dec. 11, from 12-4 p.m. - or later, if necessary! Cats will go for $60 each and kittens for $75 (unsterilized) each or $85 (sterilized) - and two kittens can go home for the price of one.

Do some shopping for your next pet at http://www.ci.royal-oak.mi.us/portal/community-links/animal-shelter/pet-list, or call 248-246-3364.

http://www.ci.royal-oak.mi.us/portal/community-links/animal-shelter/pet-list