Andrea Carollo

FOSTERING A STRONGER ‘FUREVER’ HOME MARKET IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN

By Jane K. Asher, Ph.D.

Photos by Dawn Townsend Photography & Design

Three years ago, Andrea Carollo made a trip to PetSmart to purchase some wet dog food for her Yorkie, who had just undergone dental surgery. As she stood in the checkout line, she felt “something” staring at her and then locked eyes with “Bob” — a funny-looking, tailless cat and former stray awaiting adoption from Animal House of South East Michigan (AHSEM).

“There was just something about Bob, who I ended up adopting and renaming Lord Cabbit,” Andrea said. “He proved to be such a wonderful addition to my life, and the experience inspired me to give back.”

Shortly after, Andrea, who has always been an animal lover, began volunteering with AHSEM, a 501(c)(3) organization and no-kill animal rescue that works primarily with cats and dogs through adoption, owner assistance and community education.

Andrea is extremely grateful for everything she has, and she’s especially grateful for her “fur children.” In addition to Lord Cabbit, she adopted Jagger, a special needs cat who was rescued by AHSEM. Andrea also has three dogs: a 15 ½-yearold Yorkie named Birkin and two rescued Greyhounds named Jypsiere and Massai. Massai is a tripod and cancer survivor.

Photo by Clare La Torre

“Volunteering with AHSEM offers me the chance to give something back to the community and make a difference in the lives of many animals in need,” she said. “I strongly believe in AHSEM’s mission — it is a no-kill rescue. Contrary to what has been shown in the media, not all Michigan shelters are actually no-kill shelters.” Andrea also applauds AHSEM’s Foster-to-Adopt and no same-day adoption policies, which help to ensure best fit matches and mindful “furever” adoption decisions.

As an active AHSEM volunteer for over two years, Andrea regularly cleans and cares for the adoptable cats at the organization’s adoption location at PetSmart in Royal Oak. She has also participated in several cat welfare missions, including a memorable one in Port Austin that resulted in AHSEM trapping and rescuing 15 cats over the course of several days in January.

“The situation was especially concerning because several house cats had been forced outside of the house following the death of their owner and sale of their home,” she said. “The new owners moved into the home and were surprised to notice multiple cats attempting to gain entry, and it was during this past winter when temperatures were very cold.” After Andrea and her fellow volunteers safely rescued all the cats, AHSEM saw that each cat was vetted, spayed/neutered and placed into a safe foster home. Since then, several of the Port Austin cats have already been successfully adopted.

Prior to volunteering with AHSEM, Andrea says that she was unaware of how many animals are in need of help and how those animals in need include not just strays but also the feral cat population. Occasionally, AHSEM comes in contact with young kittens that can be socialized or a friendly adult cat that can be adopted, but the majority of feral cats in a colony are trapped, neutered and then returned to their territory where caretakers provide them with regular food/shelter. “Feral cats cannot be adopted into a home as they are wild. TNR or Trap- Neuter-Return is the only method proven to be humane and effective at controlling feral/stray cat population growth,” Andrea explained. “TNR stabilizes the number of cats as a cat can have three litters a year.”

In addition to her involvement on the ground level of the organization, Andrea served on the planning committee for the inaugural AHSEM Pet Fashion show in 2019, which was the organization’s first big fundraiser to date. At the event, both owners and their pets were dressed in costumes as they strutted down the runway to compete for “Best of Show.” Max Broock, REALTORS®, where Andrea has been an agent for over 17 years, provided the use of their Ferndale office space free of charge, and the event drew a full house and attracted local news coverage. “Max Broock - Real Estate One has been very supportive of my charitable efforts,” Andrea said. “Gigi Debbrecht, one of my colleagues, even walked the runway with her pup, Calvin.”

“I am proud to have been a part of the planning committee that helped make it such a success,” Andrea said. “We keep getting asked when the 2020 event will be held, but due to COVID-19 concerns, we have not yet announced the 2020 fashion show date.”

Given her charitable leadership and experience, Andrea advises up-and-coming agents to take action in their communities. “A lot of people think someone else will take care of it; others hide behind social media and send ‘thoughts and prayers,’ but is that really making a difference?” she asked. “Seek out an organization that you have a passion for and get involved. Don’t be someone who just says that they care — do something about it.”

As both a real estate professional and an animal activist, Andrea does not shy away from challenges and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty in order to achieve a goal. “It might not be the most glamorous task, but if it needs to get done, I will get it done,” she said. “This is true in my business, my volunteering, my relationships and even in my extracurricular activities of marathons and triathlons. Good things don’t come easily. Sure, even the fools get lucky sometimes, but it takes hard work, integrity and determination to achieve long-term success.”

Andrea, who believes that volunteering is good for the body and mind, says that she will definitely be involved with animal rescue for the rest of her life and plans on increasing her volunteer time after she retires from real estate. “I am proud to know that through my volunteering, I have played a small part in the successful adoption of each animal into a loving ‘furever’ home,” she said.

Photo by Clare La Torre

To learn more about AHSEM and the animal rescue mission that Andrea is proud to support, visit facebook.com/animalhouseofsem, call 248-561- 9106 or email animalhousesem@yahoo.com.

Making a Difference - Andrea Carollo