My Best Friends Inn

06/22/2024

06/17/2024

We are heart broken and shocked. Condolences to the Dee-Tails family. This will affect so many dogs and people that loved Bridgett very much.

06/17/2024

No damage report for us. The tornado warning came and went last night. The wind was wild but nothing fell or was ripped away.

We were spared again!

05/27/2024

We have another position that we would like to add to!!

Kennel Lead -

Duties
- Communicate with clients about bookings and wellbeing of dogs in our care
- Monitoring play groups as well as building the play groups
- Handling dogs, ranging in size from small (4 lbs) to extra-large (150 lbs)
- Preparing and administering food and medication for dogs

Needs
- Availability for holidays and weekends
- Experience with animals. Preferably some experience with dogs.
- Ability manage time effectively
- Ability to stay calm when handling animals
- Good communication skills
- Computer usage experience

This position starts at $13 per hour with regular raises based on performance.

05/22/2024

Thank you to everyone who helped us in the recent donation event. The event was very successful. We are going to stop taking donations now as a few donation drop off and distribution centers in Portage are up and running.

Each time I drive down Centre Ave things look a little bit better. There is definitely going to be a long period of reconstruction ahead of us though. The damage was extensive and it spans a VERY long distance. If you would still like to help in volunteering The City of Portage MI has many volunteer opportunities available.

If you are in a position to be able to foster a pet that was displaced due to the tornados, Animal Rescue Project has taken in a large number of kittens and dogs. They are going through an absurd amount of kitten formula right now so they will take all of the help they can get.

It has been an honor seeing the MBFI community step up and really go into action. Not just from the donations but also from the willingness to continue to support us. Without your support and allowing us to serve your pups needs, we would not be able to house the displaced dogs that we are right now. I have been given an opportunity to serve the community at large because of all of you.

Thank you form the bottom of our hearts,

James, Erin and baby Fay

05/18/2024

As the summer kicks off we are looking to grow our team. We have two part time positions available. One is seasonal and one has the possibility of being long term.

Positions available:

Kennel Tech -

Seasonal position which works directly with the dogs alongside a Kennel Lead. Hours based on boarding schedule.

Duties
- Spot and general cleaning
- Monitoring play groups
- Handling dogs, ranging in size from small (4 lbs) to extra-large (150 lbs)
- Any other appropriate tasks the Kennel Lead delegates

Position Needs
- No prior experience necessary
- Availability for holidays and weekends

Kennel Maintenance -

Detail cleaning and sanitizing position that operates primarily while we are closed in the middle of the day. Flexible schedule.

Duties
- Needs revolving around the daily sanitizing of all surfaces and maintenance of facility cleanliness.

Position Needs
- Ability to manage time effectively while working alone
- Good eye for detail and cleanliness

Please stop in to the office to fill out a application or drop off a resume.

05/11/2024

Today we took inventory of all the donations that were dropped off.

- 7 bottles of baby shampoo
- 5 cans of baby formula
- 21 packages of baby wipes
- 640 diapers (size 1 - 5T)
- 6 bags of misc children items (clothes, shoes, cups, etc)
- 4 containers of disinfecting wipes
- 5 gallons ans 24 bottles of water
- 6 bags of personal hygiene items (shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
- A LOT of paper towel and toilet paper
- 22lbs of dry dog food
- 14 cans of wet dog food
- 10 pet bowls
- 14lbs cat litter
- 2 bags of misc treats
- 1 bag of cat food
- 1 cone of shame
- 3 leashes
- $380 in electronic donations
- $100 in cash donations

This is on top of the 100lb of dog food, 100lb of cat food, 100lb of cat litter, dog bowls, and leashes dropped of earlier in the week.

We are communicating with local resources to determine where the highest needs are.

Thank you to our MBFI family and the local community for your donations.
Thank you to Ashly and Kelsey who have helped out by accepting donations and holding down the fort while we distribute items.

We will keep you posted as the relief effort continues.

05/11/2024

Clean Up Portage! Saturday, May 11 @ 9 AM

We are coordinating a volunteer opportunity for tomorrow, Saturday, May 11. If you are 18 and older interested and available to help, please arrive at City Hall no later than 9 AM so we can coordinate teams and assign work areas.

Volunteers will assist with:
• Moving brush and limbs to the curb
• Moving loose debris to the curb
• Separating piles of brush and debris
• Cleaning up damaged limbs and branches from parks

All volunteers are asked to register in advance with the Michigan Volunteer Registry at https://www.mivolunteerregistry.org/. Volunteers will also be asked to provide their name, address, and phone number, and sign a liability waiver. These steps are for your safety and for the safety of those you are helping. Please bring work gloves and wear bright clothing and sturdy shoes.

Thank you!

05/09/2024

Thanks to Oak Ridge Feed & Pet Salon for their help in donating 100lb of dog food, 100lb of cat litter, dog leashes, and food bowls to The Red Cross Shelter at Kalamazoo First.

This sign will be hanging up in the front office along with an updated list of donation items.

Erin's paypal and venmo are listed as well.

05/09/2024

MBFI has volunteered to be a local drop off point for donations for those in need following the tornadoes in Portage on Tuesday. Items can be dropped off during office hours until Saturday at 10am. If you don't have any of the items, but want to contribute you can donate cash or pay Erin electronically (venmo/PayPal) and we will do the shopping for you.

We will be delivering all items to Pavillion Estates and the Red Cross shelter on Saturday.

The following items have been detailed by the Pavillion Estates or Red Cross shelter (at Kalamazoo First) as items of need. We will update the list as information is provided.

-Diapers (all sizes)
-Baby Wipes
-Baby Formula
-Childrens clothing (10 years and under)
-Children’s Shoes (10 years and under)
-Toilet paper [THIS IS AN URGENT NEED]
-Flashlights
-Flashlight Batteries
-Hand Sanitizer
-Face Masks
-Work Gloves
-Food
-Personal Items
-dog food
- cat food
-cat litter
-leashes
- metal bowls

Other ways to help Portage
- Volunteering: https://www.mivolunteerregistry.org/
- Community Urgent Relief Fund: https://www.kalfound.org/grants/community-urgent-relief-fund
- Disaster Relief Fund: https://unitedforscmi.org/disaster-relief-fund/

This site is used to register, notify, and inform individuals who are interested in volunteering in the event of a natural or public health emergency. By adding your name and information to the Registry, you are indicating your willingness to volunteer your time and skills in an emergency. Registeri...

05/08/2024

As the aftermath of the local tornadoes unfolds I know a lot of folks will need help. First and foremost I want to thank the first responders who have shown up to the all county call. Anyone who is helping with the efforts to restore order and safety in Portage and the surrounding counties, reach out if you need help. We will help however we can, no questions asked, no charge. If you have lost power or your home was damaged please reach out and we will help however we can.

Please share this to whatever groups you think might need help with pets. I know the damage so far is much worse than any one realizes. And I pray that we get through this without any loss of life.

Thank you

James