Crawford County Commission on Aging

Serving seniors age 60 and older throughout Crawford County

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Senior Center: 4388 West M-72 Hwy, Grayling
989.348.7123

Pet Program

Crawford County Commission on Aging Pet Program

Together, We Can Keep Older Adults and Their Pets Together

Research shows that older adults with pets are less likely to experience depression, report feelings of loneliness, or suffer from illness. Caring for a pet, including feeding, providing access to litter, and arranging veterinary care, can be financially and physically challenging. Often, a devoted older adult with limited access to food will feed their hungry pet before themselves.

Through the Meals on Wheels America Pet Initiative, Meals on Wheels Loves Pets, PetSmart Charities, and other funding sources, the Crawford County Commission on Aging is proud to help older adults keep their beloved pets safe and healthy. This initiative provides grant funding, educational opportunities, and in-kind donations for our Members, allowing us to expand existing pet programs and support the creation of new ones.

Our Pet Program is about more than companionship. It is about enhancing wellness, promoting social connections, and improving quality of life for both older adults and their pets.

Requirements & Qualifications

Do you have pets and find it difficult to obtain veterinary care due to limited funds? The Crawford County Commission on Aging and Senior Center received a grant from Meals on Wheels and PetSmart Charities to help. This program assists with preventative and emergency care, including vaccines and medication. The grant also allows the COA to provide limited pet food and cat litter to help care for your furry friends.

To qualify, you must be 60 years of age or older, a resident of Crawford County, and have an income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level:

  • 1 Person: $1,956.25

  • 2 People: $2,643.75

  • 3 People: $3,331.25

If you think your pet may qualify for this program, please contact Tammy Findlay at 989-348-7123 to learn more and see how we can help.

Previous Programming

Howl-O-Ween – October 2025

We had a fantastic time with Tammy Findlay showing off our furry friends at the COA Pet Parade! Pets of all sizes strutted their stuff and participated in exciting activities, including:

  • Bobbing for hot dogs

  • Cleverest costume contest

  • Cleanest plate challenge

  • A short agility course to test our dogs’ skills

Pre-registration ensured a smooth and safe event for all participants. All animals were required to be spayed or neutered and fully vaccinated, and paperwork was checked to confirm eligibility. It was a fun-filled day full of laughter, wagging tails, and wonderful memories for pets and their owners alike! Check out the photos below for a sneak peak into the magic!

Fall Petography – October & November 2025

Our Fall Pet Photography event was a hit! Participants brought their furry friends to show off their best costumes and capture adorable, memorable photos. The session was completely free, and everyone enjoyed professional snapshots of their pets in a fun, relaxed environment. It was a wonderful way for older adults and pet lovers to celebrate their companions and create keepsakes that will last a lifetime. Check out the photos below to see some of our best dress participants!

Paws for a Cause – 2025

We had a fantastic start with our “Paws for a Cause” fundraiser! Supporters purchased a “paw” to make a donation, with each paw representing a contribution to keeping pets happy and healthy. Donations went directly to the COA Pet Program, helping cover preventative care such as vaccines, nail trimming, dental care, medications, and even emergency boarding. Every dollar raised supported the beloved pets of our homebound clients, ensuring they could continue bringing comfort and companionship to the older adults who love them. It was a wonderful kickoff, and we hope to continue this fun and meaningful fundraiser for many years to come, making a difference one paw at a time!

Arauco Fundraiser – 2024 & 2025

A heartfelt thank you to our partners at Arauco for helping us raise funds for our Pet Program for two years in a row! During both events, Tammy Findlay and Carlie Wilson were on site to serve lunch to the Arauco staff. To join in the fun and enjoy the delicious lunch, participants made a donation to the cause of the month. Thanks to the generosity and participation of everyone involved, these lunch fundraisers raised a total of $683.28 to support our Pet Program.

Pet Palooza – June 2024

On Saturday, June 22nd, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, we had a fantastic time at Pet Palooza! The AuSable Valley Animal Shelter provided free vaccines and microchips, while Dawn’s Grooming offered free nail trimming for our furry friends.

This event was free and fun for the whole community, and donations were warmly welcomed to support the Crawford County Commission on Aging Pet Assistance Program. Pets and their owners enjoyed a lively, engaging afternoon filled with care, connection, and plenty of wagging tails!

A special thank you to our amazing supporters who made this event possible:

  • AuSable Valley Animal Shelter

  • Dawn’s Milltown Groomer

  • Bissell Pet Foundation (Cathy Bissell)

  • Tractor Supply, Meijer, and Jays

This was the impact of Pet Palooza 2024:

  • Total Animals Served: 82

  • Total Vaccines Given: 115

  • Total Rabies Vaccines Given: 60

  • Total DHLPP Vaccines Given: 55

  • Total Microchips Given: 70

Your generosity and support helped make Pet Palooza a wonderful experience for older adults and their pets alike! Check out photos from the event below.

If you would like to help out the Pet Program, click the link below to donate!

https://www.crawfordcoa.org/make-a-donation

Community Partners

Thank you Meals on Wheels of America, Meals on Wheels Loves Pets, and Pet Smart Charities