Animal rescue in River Rouge needs new home

Image 1 of 4

A busy animal rescue Downriver suddenly is told it has to shut down.

Now  its owners, as well as dozens of dogs at the Pit Stop for Change are in desperate need of a new home.

This is Rosie, just one dog that wasn't able to be accepted at the small River Rouge Animal Rescue, so instead, she was sent one block down the street to Pit Stop for Change, a certified shelter run out of the home of Kaylie sparks and her boyfriend.

"We came to River Rouge because they are really lenient, there was no kennel license," said Kayli Sparks, co-founder, Pit Stop for Change.

Their mission is taking care of a surplus of animals in need, many spilling out of Detroit.

"Every rescue we take in gets completely vetted," Sparks said. "Receives heart worm treatment if they have heart worm, gets spayed and neutered. We keep the dog as long as needed."

But now the shelter needs a new home, they were ticketed by an animal control officer for failure to comply with a kennel license and dog licensing. And any day now, city officials could kick them out for having too many dogs in a residential area.

Pit Stop for Change is working hard to find a new place for these animals, but the future is uncertain.

Mayor of River Rouge Michael Bowdler, wishes the situation was handled differently, and he's trying his best to find a solution for everybody.

"What they are doing is such a good thing and they take dogs that others don't take," Bowdler said.

"I wasn't happy, but I can understand being in a residential area, the neighbors have their rights just like the dogs have their rights," Bowdler said.

Now Pit Stop for Change needs money for a new facility - and fast.

"There is just a lot of overhead costs and we need a little bit more support or a building that is more sustainable rather than getting something we could afford for a short term and not a long term."

To donate, visit http://pitstopdogrescue.com