Editorial: Congratulations to FMAR for 20 years of saving our pets

Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue celebrated 20 years of serving this community at an open house on Saturday, July 27, at its location on Arkona Road, just east of Rawsonville Road, in Sumpter Township.
The no-kill shelter actually started in Van Buren Township and we remember sitting at the dining room table in the Sheldon Road home of Pete and Marcy LaFramboise as they outlined their dream. A few rescued dogs were already in their home next to us as we spoke.
Politics were rampant in Van Buren Township in those days and the couple couldn’t get approval for a kennel zoning in their rural property, so they found a spread in Sumpter, bought that, and moved their home.
That’s where FMAR now operates and Pete and Marcy no longer lead the project, but they do still own the property and live in their home there. And, volunteer.
It’s costing more money to run the shelter because of rising prices for everything, but the volunteers still come to walk the dogs, clean the enclosures, and love the homeless pets.
Our community is very blessed to have FMAR caring for our cast-off dogs and cats – sometimes for years before they are adopted.
Thank you, FMAR, and all the loving volunteers who have cared for these pets who continue to hope for forever homes.