Cutest Pet in Brandon Township? Library Contest to Determine Winner
(Crystal A. Proxmire, July 13, 2018)
Ortonville, Brandon Township, MI – Who has the cutest pet in the Ortonville area? This question was recently posed to Brandon Township Library patrons as part of a contest/fundraiser for the library.
Proud pet parents were able to pay $5 to enter their adorable cat, dog or other animal’s photo, and the one with the most votes wins a $25 gift card for Tractor Supply Company.  Voting is free, and visitors to the library are allowed to vote once per day.  The entry fee money goes to the Friends of the Library, which helps with funding library acquisitions and programming.
Library Director Rebecca Higgerson, credited Oxford Library with the idea.  “We actually borrowed the idea from the Friends of Oxford Library,” she said.  “I met them at a workshop and they told us it was a fun fundraiser for them. We felt it was a great fit for our community because we have so many animal-lovers in Ortonville.
“It’s especially true because we didn’t just get dogs and cats—we also have cows, ducks, and hamsters. Our patrons really came through to support the fundraiser and the voting is through the roof.”
Among the entries are Edina the dog, Daisy the mouse, and Charlotte the cow. Stephen the houseplant also has a place.
The pictures grace the bulletin board near the library’s front door, which means may smiles as people pass by.  In addition to the great conversations patrons have over which animal will get their votes, the contest has helped inspire more reading. Books about horses and other animals are featured.
“We can’t wait to name the winner!” Higgerson said.  Voting takes place through July 21.  Guests get one vote per day.
To see all the entries, visit Brandon Township Library at 304 South Street, Ortonville, MI 48462.  Learn more at https://www.brandonlibrary.org/