(Welcome to our pet column, courtesy of Pet Connection Programs Inc. of Marilla. We post a new article each week, so be sure to check back on a regular basis!)

The next time you consider expanding your family to include a hamster, Guinea pig, bunny or other small pet, you won’t be alone. Some 16 million U.S. families currently cohabitate with small pets, according to the American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey.

Erie County, NY – Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs will be hosting an open-to-the-public blood drive with Unyts, WNY’s only organ, eye, tissue and community blood center, on Saturday, May 11th from 9am-2pm at the Erie County Auto Bureau located at 2122 George Urban Blvd. in Cheektowaga.

“Giving the gift of life through a blood donation is critically important,” Jacobs said.  “By giving blood, you are helping to make sure there is blood available for your friends and neighbors in their time of need. I would also like to encourage the community to enroll on the New York State Registry as an organ and tissue donor and help the more than 117,000 currently waiting for a transplant.”

Individual golfers, foursomes and sponsors are still being sought for the annual “Come Get Some” golf outing to benefit the Hospice Foundation. The event will take place on Friday, July 12, at Chestnut Hill Country Club, 1330 Broadway, Darien Center.

Registration for the event is just $80 and includes lunch, a steak dinner, beverages and 18 holes of scramble-format golf. Tickets for dinner only are available for just $40. Golfers of all skill levels are welcomed.