Yes, there are some services available in southeast Michigan for pet owners. I sent her the links to the pet page on Julie’s List. I also sent her the link to the Zimmer Foundation in Ann Arbor that helps provide cat spay/neuter services to families with income of $40,000 or less who live in their service area (which includes most of Monroe County).

What if those programs don’t work out for you, or you make too much money to be eligible?

Then you need to find the savings elsewhere in your household budget.

It doesn’t matter in the long run how and where you find the money you need for any expense. If you are simply stuck with a certain expense, you may still be able to get help, cut costs or find discounts on another household budget category. I’ve dealt with those situations for my own family.

The thrift shop started as a rummage sale. Then the Humane Society made arrangements to keep the shop going on a part-time schedule until Christmas. It’s worked out fairly well as a fundraising effort for the agency.

So the thrift shop will continue to be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, through March 31. For information, call 240-0562.

Donations of household items are welcome and can be accepted during business hours.

If you are looking for second-hand bargains, I have a sidebar listing Monroe-area thrift shops.

All sorts of household and holiday items – but no clothing – will be at this store. For details, go the Humane Society’s web site.

I also have a new sidebar that lists thrift shops in the Monroe area.

The no-kill pet agency reports that is is struggling to place dogs and cats as more pet owners are having trouble keeping up with expenses or are forced to move into a rental home or apartment that does not allow pets.

Planned Pethood works with 15 northwest Ohio veterinarians to provide affordable spay/neuter services for its pet owners, and some low-income pet owners qualify for free spay/neuter. There is also a discount on adoption fees for senior citizens who adopt an older cat.

Those who would like to apply to become an owner of Planned Pethood’s available animals should go to www.plannedpethood.org.

Jakks Pets and Petco Foundation will have a pet food giveaway for pet parents in need at selected Petco stores Saturday. The nearest participating stores are in Toledo, Roseville and Orion Township.

Julie’s List also has a page featuring resources for pet parents in southeast Michigan with tips on where to find discounted medical supplies and services, pet food samples and special-need services.

A snippet:

Buy smart. Shopping for pets can be great fun, but your furry friend probably doesn’t need that new designer collar. When it comes to toys, cut them back but not out—good chew toys have saved many an expensive pair of shoes.

(Note: Parade Magazine posts its story links on Tuesdays.)

Story is on page 1A of today’s print and e-editions of The Monroe Evening News and at monroenews.com.

A snippet:

“With the economy being bad in Michigan, of course it’s affected all nonprofits,” said Jerry Kovach, humane society board president. “We were running short in our budget by about $5,000 a month.”

“Month after month we’ve been trying to find ways to cut anything we can,” he said. With the highest expenses being salaries and veterinary bills, the board felt it had only one area where it could cut.”

Do remember that the headlines have been popping up that pet shelters across the country have been overwhelmed with dog and cat populations in recent months. Reason: many people who are struggling to take care of their human families are trying to find new homes for their pets — particularly families who are forced to move and can’t have pets at their new address.

In addition, Wednesday Sept. 8 will be Senior Citizens Day in which a free doctor’s exam can be scheduled for a senior citizen’s pet. Refreshments also will be served.

For details on either promotion, call 242-9930.

The animal hospital will provide spay and neuter services at no cost on April 26, May 3 and May 10 to cat caretakers who are providing for feral or stray cats. There are restrictions and guidelines; but in some cases cat owners will be eligible for this voucher from the Zimmer Foundation even if they have been denied previously.

Those who are interested should apply apply online at www.tlconline.org or in person at Heritage Animal Hospital and fill out the application carefully. Those who have questions or need assistance with the paperwork should call Heritage Animal Hospital at (734) 529-9177 or the Zimmer Foundation at (734) 663-8000.

The Zimmer Foundation also has a program, Snip n’ Chip, that provides offers free spay / neuter for pet cats in a home where the household income is less than $40,000 year. The service district for Snip n’ Chip program does include part of Monroe County. Heritage Animal Hospital is one of the veterinary clinics that provides surgery and vaccine service for the Snip n’ Chip program.

Additional information is at the Heritage Animal Hospital web site at www.hahvet.com and at the Zimmer Foundation web site at www.tlconline.com.