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Grayslake students helping no-kill animal shelter

Grayslake Central High School's honors students are selling T-shirts and staging a dog show in an effort to raise money for a financially strapped local no-kill animal shelter.

Save-A-Pet Adoption Center on Fairfield Road, in unincorporated Lake County just outside Grayslake, is the focus of the students' attention. The shelter received an influx of donations to keep operating since it announced in September it was on the verge of closing, but financial concerns remain.

With about 1,200 students at Grayslake Central, the National Honor Society members hope enough of them reach into their wallets this week to help Save-A-Pet.

Paw print-emblazoned T-shirts are being sold for $10 outside Grayslake Central's cafeteria through Friday. The text on the shirts reads: “Bag of pet food: $15.00. Leash and collar: $20.00. The LOVE in an animal's eyes: PRICELESS.”

In addition, pupils may purchase a paper paw for $1 that can go on a school wall with the donor's name, said Denise Kindle, Grayslake High School District 127's assistant superintendent for support services.

“It's really catching on,” Kindle said of the Save-A-Pet effort. “The kids are so excited and behind this.”

This week's T-shirt and paw sales are a prelude to the fundraising dog show set for 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 at Grayslake Central's main gymnasium. Students are asked to wear the T-shirts to school the day before the dog show to create excitement for the event.

Open to the public for a $5 admission, the dog show will feature canines owned by students and faculty. For a minimum $10 entry fee, there will be categories such as fastest eater, best in show, most heartwarming story and best teacher's pet.

Save-A-Pet development manager Marc Portugal praised the Grayslake Central students' effort on behalf of the no-kill shelter that serves about 300 dogs and cats. Portugal said Save-A-Pet didn't solicit the students' help.

“It's amazing to see anybody lead by example, but when it's kids, it's doubly amazing,” Portugal said Monday.

Save-A-Pet officials say it takes about $7 to feed a dog or cat for a week. It costs $200 to $300 to take in and care for a healthy animal.