21st Annual Bow Wow Brunch
Find Out Who’s “In The Doghouse” at The Michigan Humane Society Bow Wow Brunch
April 18, 2010

While most people might expect to find a dog in a doghouse, guests at one of the Michigan Humane Society’s largest annual fundraisers will instead find houses filled with automotive executives, a local TV news personality, a highly-regarded film producer, and animal cruelty investigators - all dedicating their time and efforts to support the state’s largest and oldest animal welfare organization. Please join the Michigan Humane Society as it presents “The Great Adoption Bailout” at its 21st annual Bow Wow Brunch, taking place on Sunday, April 18 at The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. and will feature a champagne reception, gourmet brunch, and live and silent auctions.

“The Great Adoption Bailout,” a key component of this year’s event, will include local prominent community members that have volunteered to be “in the doghouse” as part of a greater effort to increase awareness and support of MHS programs and services. Each volunteer will be representing one key program, and has set a goal of raising $5,000 with the support of the community - once they reach their goal, they’ll be “out of the doghouse.” 

	Eric Braate Meteorologist, WDIV-Local 4 Progress: 63% Raised: $ 3165     Goal: $ 5000
	Chris Liddell Chief Financial Officer, General Motors Company Progress: 110% Raised: $ 5490     Goal: $ 5000
	Bob Lutz Vice Chairman, General Motors Company Progress: 146% Raised: $ 7290     Goal: $ 5000
	Debby MacDonald  and Mark Ramos Cruelty Investigators, Michigan Humane Society; stars of the Animal Planet series, “Animal Cops: Detroit” Progress: 38% Raised: $ 1895     Goal: $ 5000
	Bob Shanks Vice President and Controller, Ford Motor Company Progress: 193% Raised: $ 9635     Goal: $ 5000
	Marvin G. Towns, Jr. President, MTI Films, LLC MHS Board Member Progress: 42% Raised: $ 2100     Goal: $ 5000

Each participant has a personal fundraising page available at www.michiganhumane.org/doghouse, where community members are encouraged to make an online donation in support of their efforts prior to the event. The participant who raises the most funds in support of MHS will be named the “Top Dog” at the brunch.

While the competition is light-hearted, the reality is that all funds raised will benefit the more than 100,000 animals MHS cares for each year. Proceeds from the Brunch will assist MHS in finding homes for all adoptable animals, furthering innovative community outreach efforts, supporting critical sterilization programs, and most importantly, getting closer to the ultimate goal of ending companion animal homelessness.

The event begins at 11:30 a.m. with a champagne reception, silent auction, and the opportunity to mingle with adoptable animals. A gourmet brunch and live auction featuring auctioneer Joe Walker will follow. The auction will feature a variety of exclusive items for animals and the people that love them, such as a suite for 20 at an upcoming Detroit Tigers game, a three-hour cruise of Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River on an Infinity and Ovation Yacht, and a once-in-a-lifetime flight on a vintage L-39 fighter-trainer jet with Bob Lutz as pilot.

Tickets to the Bow Wow Brunch begin at $200 and seating is limited. To reserve your tickets, call 1-866-MHUMANE, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or purchase tickets online. Corporate and individual sponsorship opportunities are also available. Catherine Saurbier and Noreen Wagner are serving as committee co-chairpersons for this year’s brunch.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn is located at 300 Town Center Drive in the Fairlane Plaza.