Photo by K. Michelle Moran This week, the Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society will move to its new home at 15230 Charlevoix in Grosse Pointe Park, formerly the Park Winery.

By K. Michelle Moran
C & G Staff Writer

GROSSE POINTE PARK — Like the pets it serves, the Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society is about to get a new home.

After learning at the end of December that GPAAS would no longer be able to stay in the Detroit office space on Mack it has occupied for the last three and a half years, GPAAS organizers began a frantic search for a new site in the community.

Enter Jim Saros of the Grosse Pointe-based Saros Agency. After learning about the nonprofit’s plight, Saros called GPAAS and asked what they needed, said GPAAS Executive Director Corinne Martin. After telling him what type of office space would work best for GPAAS — a place with a linoleum floor, running water and natural light — she said he had just the spot: the former Park Winery, a purple building next to the Sunrise Sunset Saloon at 15230 Charlevoix in Grosse Pointe Park.

“We’re just absolutely thrilled,” Martin said. “We’re very grateful to him for making that happen.”

Although GPAAS doesn’t shelter animals, its office needs to be animal-friendly for the stray pets that might get dropped off temporarily there, she explained.

The new space gives GPAAS 1,500 square feet instead of the 900 square feet it had before, Martin said. They signed a three-year lease with Saros last week, she said.

Saros, who learned about GPAAS’ impending homelessness through a client, said, he was “happy to help out the GPAAS in what I consider a very small way.” After talking to Martin, Saros said, he felt the building on Charlevoix would best suit the organization’s needs.

“I was able to back into their budget, but I truly believe I have a great tenant, so it is a win-win situation,” Saros said. “As a real estate broker in the community, I know people move to Grosse Pointe for a number of reasons. First and foremost is our school system, the quality of housing stock, tremendous police and fire services, the waterfront parks, Little League sports, choir, the arts, the War Memorial, etc. Somewhere on that list is GPAAS. … It is a great service to all of the Grosse Pointes and in particular animal lovers, so quite frankly I was thrilled to help out a nonprofit organization that helps everyone in our community and at the same time have a great tenant for hopefully many years to come.”

Martin said they were slated to move to the new office Feb. 4, although it will take volunteers awhile to get unpacked and settled in the space. She said they’re asking people to wait on making in-kind donations, such as pet food, until at least Feb. 15. Monetary donations are still welcome at any time, she said.

Although at press time they were still working with Park officials to obtain permission to open their doors, Martin said they’re also hoping to open by Feb. 15.

Founded in 1997, GPAAS finds homes for more than 450 animals every year and has placed more than 4,000 pets in new homes since its inception, according to GPAAS officials. It holds pet adoptions twice per month at the Neighborhood Club in Grosse Pointe City.

Aside from its office address, other contact information for GPAAS remains the same, including the organization’s phone number. For more information about GPAAS, call (313) 884-1551, e-mail cmartingp@ameritech.net, visit www.GPAAS. org or send regular mail to GPAAS, 296 Chalfonte, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236.