Group moves into own space

PETBull Project to mark opening of education center

Cindy Reinsel, founder of Toledo’s PETBull Project, gets kisses. Her group stresses preventing animal cruelty and the importance of spaying and neutering. The group also offers free training.

Toledo PETBull Project’s Christmas wish came early this year with the opening of its education center.

Although the official open house isn’t for several more weeks, the group has begun to use the space at 12 E. Bancroft St., Suite 105, for volunteer meetings and other programs, said Cindy Reinsel, the group’s founder and president.

"We are offering free training, free pet safety classes and some teen programs," said Ms. Reinsel.

Toledo PETBull Project is a nonprofit group that aims to prevent animal cruelty, including dog fighting, and educate dog owners on the importance of spaying and neutering. The group also offers free training to help owners become good citizens and advocates for their dogs, no matter what the breed.

The organization is holding an open house at the center on Jan. 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We will have door prizes, calendars, activities, agility course, and all kinds of things.” Ms. Reinsel said. “Dogs are welcome, but they must be leashed.”

The group is kicking off a can drive in January and would welcome any donations of empty, clean cans at the open house.

Besides cans, the group is also in need of items from its “wish list” including: towels, 6-foot leather or nylon leashes, Martingale-style dog collars of various sizes, notebook style filler paper, general purpose copy paper and 36-inch and 42-inch large metal wire dog crates.

For the educational work the group does with kids, they need donations of any dog-related books, DVDs, dog magazines, coloring books and boxes of crayons.

The group still has copies of its 2013 Babies and Bullies calendar for sale. The 13-month calendar includes photos taken by local photographer Janelle Lorenzen of Lorenzen Studios. 

"The calendar is full of educational facts about bully breeds," Ms. Reinsel said. 

The calendars are $12 and all proceeds go toward helping the Toledo PETBull Project continue its mission. They can be purchased by contacting Ms. Reinsel at 419-704-2216.