Proceeds From Weekend Garage Sale Help Royal Oak Pet Pantry

There will be some thankful dogs and cats after a garage sale this weekend in Birmingham benefiting the pet food pantry at New Beginnings Animal Rescue (NBAR).

According to NBAR vice president Jenn Fritz, the garage sale will be hosted at the home of an NBAR volunteer at 844 Hazel St. in Birmingham. The sale will take place 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine.

The group runs a year-round pet pantry at Royal Oak's  to help struggling families feed their pets, said Frits. In 2011, NBAR distributed more than 8.5 tons of cat and dog food to Oakland County families.

NBAR was founded in 2010 to serve southern Oakland County communities as a no-kill rescue organization that finds home for indoor companion animals. Since the group doesn't have its own location, animals are placed with foster homes until forever homes can be found.

According to Fritz, this is the first time NBAR has hosted a charity garage sale.

"This is our first time ever doing a garage sale and we're really excited about it," she said. "All the money we earn over the weekend will go towards keeping our pet food pantry open. Right now we are running very low, so we're trying to get some money so we can go out and purchase food. We have helped, and continue to help, so many pets. We just can't turn people away or close it down."

"Sometimes, the difference between a pet staying with its family or ending up in a shelter is a bag of food," she added.

At the sale, buyers will be able to find a wide array of items, including: home decor, collectables, books, clothes and holiday items. The group will also be selling its T-shirts, and monetary donations as well as pet food donations are welcome as well.

Besides the garage sale, NBAR has several upcoming adoption events in Royal Oak:

• Noon-4 p.m. Sept. 29 at (29402 Woodward Ave. in Royal Oak)
• Noon-4 p.m. Oct. 20 at Pet Supplies Plus
• Noon-4 p.m. Nov. 17 at (601 N. Main St. in Royal Oak)
• Noon-4 p.m. Dec. 17 at Pet Supplies Plus

Pet lovers can also donate to NBAR by enrolling their Kroger Plus Card or "Chip-In for Kitt-ens," in which a $65 donation will get one kitten fixed and their first set of kitten shots. For more information on NBAR and their programs, visit www.nbarmichigan.org.