Fundraiser to help pets, historic theater

Scott Spielman Editor

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The Historic Wayne Theater may be a bit of a zoo this weekend.

A fundraiser there will provide an opportunity to help out in the restoration of the aging structure—and give people a chance to find a new friend, too.

The theater will be the site of the ‘ultimate animal connection’ from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to Renee Abbott, the treasurer for the Historic Wayne Theater board. She’s coordinating the event.

“I wanted to help out animals and help out the theater, too,” she said.

The event will feature several animal rescue groups as well as performances by Animal Encounters with Mike Roberts and Animal Magic with Mark Rosenthal. Roberts brings large exotic animals with him for his educational shows, Abbott said.

Abbott, whose soft-hearted nature has caused her to rescue several pets of her own, said she has 11 confirmed rescue groups so far.

“There’s a rescue group for just about any kind of animal out there,” she said. “I’m just trying to get the word out.”

Admission is free, but donations will always be accepted. The theater group will sell refreshments—for humans and animals, alike—as a fundraiser, too.

In addition to gift baskets and a raffle, the Dunkin Dogs self serve wash will be on hand, she said.

Abbott has a history of saving animals. She helped relocate 1,100 Blanchard Cricket Frogs, saving them from destruction in the path of an imminent development and transferring them to places such as the Detroit Zoo and other Department of Natural Resources sites.

She’s also rescued—and still owns—a rabbit and a Rottweiler. That might seem like an odd combination, but she said the odd couple gets along famously.

“They’re inseparable,” Abbott said. “One day I came home and the rabbit was sleeping on top of the dog.”

The Historic Wayne Theater board has been active promoting the theater and efforts to restore it and reopen it by next year. They’ve also been hosting concerts at the site in efforts to promote community awareness.

“I’m pretty excited,” Abbott said. “I’m looking forward to it being restored.”