Dearborn., Michigan

Stevie Cote(left) President Board of Directors Dearborn Animal Shelter and Nancy M. Branstetter(right) Communications Mangers Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services

It would be nice if the beneficiaries of Stevie Cote's volunteer activities could say something on her behalf. But since their language skills don't extend much beyond "woof" or "meow," you would likely need to see the look in their eyes to know how much they appreciate Cote and the other volunteers at the Dearborn Animal Shelter.

The shelter opened back when little attention was paid to providing more than minimal care for animals, and euthanization after four days was the norm. In Dearborn, that began to change in 1993 when Cote and her husband, Frank, went to visit three stray dogs they had rescued, didn't like what they saw and promptly formed the Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter. "We knew we had to do something. . . . six of us went in and cleaned. . . . Frank and I put out the first newsletter, and it became a grass roots movement."

Cote, who retired from Ford Information Technology in 1999, was nominated for Volunteer of the Month by Friends Executive Director Elaine Greene, who wrote that the group's intent was to provide better care, find homes for the animals and educate the public on good animal care. "As Board President . . . Stevie has led the group to educate the community with school programs and offer low cost sterilization and microchip ID clinics to help eliminate animal cruelty and neglect as well as reduce the number of homeless and stray animals."

While quick to credit others' dedication to the animal shelter, Cote appreciated the award. "I was totally surprised and truly honored -- especially because it is a Ford award."

In 1996, the city of Dearborn granted the Friends organization control of shelter operations. Cote says the group instituted adoption policies and started forming partnerships with Dearborn businesses and veterinarians. "We started vaccinating animals and asked area vets to participate in a lower-cost spay/neuter program. After adoption, the animals go to a participating vet and are thoroughly checked out before their new owners take them home."

The result, according to Greene, is that Cote reformed a "four day and down" dog pound into a respected animal organization that saves all of its adoptable animals. Greene noted that Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter has more than 9,000 supporters, including donors, volunteers and adopters, half of whom live outside the city.

After taking a leadership role in dramatically improving shelter operations, one might expect Cote to take a breather. But, according to Green, that not only hasn't happened, it isn't likely to. "In addition to volunteering 40-60 hours a week to running the organization, maintaining our web site, and overseeing various projects and fundraisers for the Friends, Stevie is leading the effort for the funding and building of a state of the art green animal shelter."

It would seem the Friends have been so successful, the Dearborn Animal Shelter has outgrown its space.