Meet little Hope, a Pit Bull Terrier puppy who wandered the city streets of Kalamazoo for an unknown amount of time with a seriously shattered leg. Hope was picked up by Kalamazoo County Animal Services and taken to the pound. For three days, she waited for someone to claim her, no doubt in terrible pain. No one came. Then the SPCA found her, rescued her, and rushed her to Great Lakes Animal Hospital in Grand Rapids, a specialist in orthopedic surgery. Hope’s X-rays found a dislocated shoulder and 4 fractures in her injured leg. Amputation was not necessary, though it would have been the cheap and easy way out. A very expensive surgery was undertaken to repair the damage in Hope’s leg. She may have a slight limp as an adult, but she will have all four legs.

Most of the animals that are rescued by the SPCA need routine medical attention in the way of vaccinations, worming and general health check-ups, but some of the animals are in need of more extensive care such as surgery, heartworm treatment, and rehabilitation. This kind of care can become very expensive.   In Hope's honor we have established the Hope Medical Fund, a fund dedicated to covering costly medical treatment. This allows the SPCA to pull hurting animals out of animal control, to relieve their pain, and to give them the chance at adoption that their prior medical needs made impossible.

On Thursday, May 17th from 5:00pm-8:00pm the SPCA of SWMI will host a fundraiser dinner and silent auction at the Fetzer Center on the Western Michigan University campus.  All proceeds will go towards the Hope Medical Fund.  From 5:00-6:00pm, appetizers and a cash bar will be available, and the silent auction will be open. Dinner will be served at 6:00pm. 

There are three dinner choices:
*Champagne Chicken Forrestiere (boneless chicken with sautéed wild mushrooms and a sparkling wine cream sauce, served with grilled potato satke and asparagus stalks),
*Lemon-pepper Whitefish (sautéed Lake Superior filet sprinkled with pepper and lemon zest, served with wild rice pilaf and veg du jour), or
*Mushroom Mélange Ravioli (jumbo vegetarian ravioli with sauce Provencal – tomatoes, garlic, artichokes, olives, chardonnay, capers, onions and parsley). 

During the first hour of the evening, attendees will also have the opportunity of meeting several of the special animals that we have helped in the past. Join us for the fun and help this worthy cause.  Tickets are $32 each and can be purchased from the SPCA Peekstock shelter office (269-344-1474).

If you are interested in donating an item for the silent auction, please contact the SPCA at info@spcaswmich.org.  Sponsorship opportunities are also available.