KENTWOOD, Mich. — Spring wind blows away the last of the cold, signaling we’ve survived another Michigan winter.
It's no minor feat if you're a cat without a home. Especially one in Kentwood, who proves to be a never-more-true example of name determination.
"It's a police station, right? Everybody likes a donut," said Captain Tim Wieringa.
The newest member of the Kentwood Police Department, Feline Division: Officer Donut.
"Around a year ago or close to it, Donut just kind of started popping in our our back employee entrance area," said Tim.
He and his team first spotted Donut, simply looking for a place to sleep and a meal.
"He comes by two or three times a day, seems like he gains a pound or two every day," laughed Tim.
But they gave him something better — a home.
"They checked to see if it was microchipped, kind of checked out the normal things that you can do for an animal that might be lost. One of our employees was able to find the family that actually owned it was also looking for it," he explained.
"We got a hold of the family, they came over. Everybody kind of did a walk around had some conversations, the family had decided that this was a better place for the cat with their current situation.”
All of the officers chipped in with their own money to have Donut microchipped, vaccinated and treated for some medical issues.
Donut was officially part of the force.
"He just keeps getting better and better accommodations in the back. I think he's got a winter house a summer house. it's got all the food and treats that he needs," said Tim.
“He likes to jump on the third shifters cars and try to sneak inside their car at night because he knows which ones have treats. If they're writing reports in the back lot, he jumps on the computer and makes them have to retype a few things," he smiled.
But just as sure as the seasons change, a change is coming for Donut, too.
"It's almost at the end of his time as a Kentwood Officer," said Tim.
It’s a tale as old as time — a dog, is chasing out the cat.
"We're going to have another new officer over here. A new canine program that's starting up," he explained. "We just need to make sure that everybody gets along. And sometimes I think cats and dogs don't always mix.”
The cat who showed up at their back door, unwanted, then had a line of officers who volunteered to take him in.
“Donut’s going to retire and go live with our administrative assistant who is extremely happy to to have Donut join her," said Tim. “I don't think that she's going to be able to get away without bringing Donut in for a couple of trips every once in a while."
"She will spoil Donut as much as Donut was spoiled here with the Kentwood family.”
Maybe it was fate that brought Donut here.
“I think it was food," laughed Tim.
Or that.
“It's kind of like the Garfield of Kentwood," he said.
Either way, as he hangs up his cuffs, Officer Donut will always be a reminder that a new season is just around the bend for all of us.
“It's such a nice thing to have, you know, make people a little bit happy for a minute," smiled Tim.
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