By Mary Drier (Contact / Staff Bio)
May 13, 2009 - 10:37 a.m. EST

CARO — A 61-year-old Caro woman’s life has gone to the dogs... literally.

Sandy Bassett has spent the last 15 years involved in the welfare of dogs and puppies through Cass River Pet Friendz. She is looking for someone to take over so she can retire again.

When she retired from the state in 1992, Bassett started a pet-sitting business that ended up turning in a rescue service. From there, she became an humane society member before she and some others started Cass River Pet Friendz, which is a no-profit organization to rescue, place and neuter canines and felines.

“I’ve worked harder at this as a volunteer taking care of dogs and puppies than I ever did when I was working,” Bassett said.

With all of the paperwork and red tape, Cass River Pet Friendz didn’t incorporate in 2001.

Because of Bassett’s efforts and others, the group helped 1,717 puppies and dogs. And they didn’t start keeping track until 2001, so they have no idea how many there were before that.

Besides Bassett some of other key members of the group who are looking to retire are Joyce Buerge, who handles taxes and finances, and Sue and Dennis Green who do the photos for the animals they place on the Pet Finder Web site. They help with the interview process of finding a good home for the animals.

“It’s time for some new people to step up and take over,” said Bassett. “We are giving lots of notice that we want to retire so we can find someone who will be committed to this, and to work with us for a while to learn the ropes.”

Her goal is to find someone to take over by May 2010.

Even though she quips that her life has gone to the dogs, and that she is bone-tired, Bassett’s work has been a labor of love.

“You wouldn’t believe the horror stories of the pets that we get that are abused, injured, and abandoned getting frostbite. Their little lives have been horrible, and they are so grateful to be cared for. It’s heart-wrenching,” she said. “I’ve put my heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears into this. At times it is thankless. But when I see them graduate to be cared for, and we are able to get them adopted, I feel fulfilled.”

Letters of interest for those who want to help Cass River Pet Friendz’s efforts can be sent to P. O. Box 513, Caro, MI, 48723.

Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.