At just 10 years of age, the Tillander twins, Sloane and Will, are the youngest members of Michigan Pet Alliance.
When asked why they wanted to join MPA, Sloane observed that “animals deserve better than being put down because nobody wants them.”
Will added that MPA “would help shelters know how to care for animals.” They both agreed that they want to help by volunteering time and raising money for MPA.
Sloane and her mom, Liz Tillander, began to do so a couple of years ago by holding a bake sale of homemade cookies, brownies and buckeyes. As cashier, Will took in nearly $500 to donate to Detroit Dog Rescue “to help animals have a better life,” he said.
After a visit to the Humane Society of Huron Valley, the twins collected pet food and puppy blankets to donate to that shelter.
Sloane is already an accomplished artist who makes dogs and llamas out of baked clay. She hopes to sell the collectibles at MPA’s animal welfare conference next year and donate the proceeds to MPA.
The young animal lovers have three pets: Sparky, an Old English sheepdog; Scout, a briard; and Esperanza, a lizard gecko which lives in Sloane’s bedroom. The youngsters alternate weeks of responsibility for feeding and cleaning up after the dogs.
Will enjoys a special relationship with Sparky “because I don’t do things that make him uncomfortable,” he said. “Whenever I’m on the couch, he’s right next to me.”
“And on top of him,” Sloane added.
“I believe it’s important to teach children that you have to be responsible for keeping your pets safe and the community safe,” said dad Brett Tillander, President/CEO of Metro Detroit Youth Clubs. “Belonging to Michigan Pet Alliance will help them learn how to do that.”
“We are so happy to have the support of Will and Sloane for the Michigan Pet Alliance,” said Deborah Schutt, Chair of the MPA Board of Directors. “Membership is open to organizations, shelters, rescues, businesses, corporations, and individual animal welfare advocates like Will and Sloane.”
As seen in The Daily Tribune, Oakland Press and Macomb Daily.
