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Frequently Asked Questions
Are you affiliated with Michigan Humane Society or the Humane Society of the United States?
No. All Humane Societies are completely independent nonprofit corporations. HSHV serves Washtenaw County. Michigan Humane Society serves Wayne and Oakland County only and is not a statewide organization. In fact there are almost 30 different Humane Societies in Michigan serving their local areas—all of which have no formal ties to one another. The Humane Society of the United States offers education, training, and advocacy on animal welfare issues, but is not an umbrella organization.
Where does the Humane Society of Huron Valley get its funding?
Our funding comes from generous individual and corporate donors. We do not receive any government funding aside from a contract with Washtenaw County to house strays. This contract makes up less than 10% of our budget. We receive no money from any other humane organization and we are not funded by United Way. We are a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization and donations to HSHV are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
To learn more about how to support HSHV please click Donations.
I get a lot of mailings and stuff from HSHV. How much do you spend on fundraising?
HSHV relies on community donors to keep our doors open. To buy our animals food and medication, to keep our lights on, and to pay the staff who care for the animals, we depend on a steady stream of donor support. We do occasionally offer very inexpensive appreciation items like mailing labels and decals that our members seem to enjoy. The majority of your contribution goes towards the care and adoption of our animals. We currently spend 12% on fundraising.
If you are dissatisfied with the mailings you receive from HSHV and would like to be taken off of our list, please contact Amy at (734) 662-5585x125. However, it is also likely that you are getting mailings and “gifts” from other the Humane Societies, including the Humane Society of the United States or the Michigan Humane Society. We get several calls a year from people who ask to be taken off our mailing list, who were never on it in the first place. There is no connection between HSHV and these other groups so you should contact them directly to be removed from their mailing list
Where does the money from my donation to HSHV go?
Donations allow us to care for all of the abused, abandoned, injured, and unwanted animals that come through our door. Additionally, our Cruelty and Rescue Department, Volunteer Program, Community Outreach, and Harbor Program are 100% donor supported. We keep our administrative and fundraising costs low, so more than 83% of funding goes directly toward programs and services.
How many animals do you help each year?
We care for about 8,500 dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, ferrets, and other small domestic animals every year.
Are you a "no-kill" shelter?
HSHV does not consider itself a “no-kill” shelter. We have an open-door policy, which means that no animals are turned away. Because we serve as the impoundment facility for our entire County, we are obligated to humanely euthanize animals that pose a threat to the community. Our current euthanasia rate is about 33%--well below the national average. We are, however, constantly striving to save more lives and increase adoptions. We have several programs in place to improve the adoptability of our animals and to give support to pet owners so they can keep their animals. You can help this effort by making a donation or volunteering your time giving our animals the love and attention they need to be healthy and happy. Soon we’ll add something about our Capital Campaign.
Do you euthanize for space? How long can an animal stay at your shelter?
We do not euthanize for space and there are no time limits on how long an animal can stay with us. Although our 55 year old facility puts limits on what we can accomplish, we work hard to give our animals the care and treatment they need to stay healthy and happy so they can be adopted into loving homes. Foster homes are a critical part of helping deal with shelter overcrowding, giving respite to the sick or those too young to adopt, and extra care or training to those that are overly stressed in our shelter. To help us increase our adoptions, please consider becoming a foster parent, volunteering as a dog walker or cat comforter, or sponsoring a sick animal.
What do I do if I see animal abuse?
In Washtenaw County, report animal abuse or neglect to HSHV, call 662-5585 ext. 112. Click here for other ways you can help prevent animal cruelty.
Does the HSHV Rescue Department pick up strays?
No. Animal Control picks up strays and brings them to our shelter. Our Rescue workers do the important job of helping sick and injured domestic animals and wildlife. If you see an animal hit by a car, injured, or appearing to be sick, please call (734) 662-5585 x112. This service is available throughout Washtenaw County 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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For any of the following call your local animal control
- Stray dogs/cats
- Barking complaints
- Loose dogs
- Bite cases
Ann Arbor (city) – 994-2911
Ypsilanti (city) – 482-1025
Washtenaw County Sheriff – 973-4911
Canton – 394-5400
Who do I call when I see animal abuse?
Please call our Cruelty Department at (734) 662-5585 x112 to report a case of suspected animal abuse or neglect.
What do I do if I lost my cat or dog?
First call the Humane Society of Huron Valley and file a Lost Report over the phone. We strongly recommend that owners of lost pets come to our shelter every two days to look for their pet, because how you describe your pet, is not always how our staff would describe an animal. You should also put up flyers with your animals picture and talk to your neighbors. Domesticated, spayed/neutered cats tend not to roam very far away from home. Click here for our Shelter's details to reclaim a lost pet.
Animals brought to us as strays are kept for 4-7 days (depending on whether they have ID), and then may be put up for adoption. If the animal is aggressive or severely ill or injured, it is not considered adoptable and will be humanely euthanized.
What do I do if I find a lost dog or cat?
You can bring the animal to the Humane Society. We will hold it for 4 to 7 days (depending on whether it has identification), to give its owner a chance to find it. If the animal is not claimed, it may be put up for adoption. (If the animal is aggressive or severely ill or injured, it is not considered adoptable and will be humanely euthanized.)
But before you bring a lost cat to our shelter, you should talk to your neighbors. Domesticated cats tend to roam not far from home, and because many people let their cats outdoors, the cat you find may not in fact be lost. Click here for more information on identifying stray cats.
Can I bring my animal to the shelter to have it euthanized?
Yes. HSHV offers humane euthanasia to owners who have an animal that needs to put down due to serious illness, injury and old age. An euthanasia fee will be charged. Cremation services are extra and depend on the weight of the animal.
Please call our HSHV Clinic (734-662-4365) Monday-Friday 8am-6pm to schedule an appointment. On Saturday and Sunday, our animal intake department will make every attempt to accommodate walk-in emergencies.
Can I bring an animal in from another County?
We turn no animals away at our door. However, if you need to relinquish your pet, you should visit your local animal shelter.
For a listing of other shelters serving counties in Southeast Michigan click here. In addition, stray animals should be brought to a shelter in the area where the animal was found. This gives the animal the best chance to be reunited with his/her owners.
There is a minimum fee of $25 for turning in an animal to HSHV (from outside Washtenaw County). To expedite the intake process, we ask that you fill out the Owned Pet Information Form in advance of turning your animal in.
When space allows in our own facility, HSHV works with other animal shelters to bring in adoptable animals that would otherwise face euthanasia because of space or time limits.
Why do you charge a fee for other Counties?
The Humane Society of Huron Valley services Washtenaw County. Other humane societies in the state service other counties i.e.Michigan Humane Society services Wayne and Oakland counties, Cascades Humane Society services Jackson County and Humane Society of Livingston County services Livingston County.
HSHV charges a fee to help cover the costs of caring for an animal. That cost is about $25 per day. If a stray animal stays with us for the required stray hold period (mandated by Michigan State law), the cost to care for this animal runs from $100 - $175.
Do you ever get purebred animals?
Yes. We get all types of animals here from purebreds to pure shelter mutts. Our Matchmaker program can help match you with the animal that best fits your lifestyle. See Adoptions.
Why do we have to have our adopted pet "fixed?"
Pet overpopulation continues to be a very serious problem. For every person born in the United States, there are 15 dogs and 45 cats born. As a result, each year millions of cats and dogs are needlessly euthanized because there are not enough homes for them. The only answer to this crisis is to ensure that all pets are spayed and neutered. It is HSHV policy and State Law that animals are spay/neutered before they go to their permanent home.
In addition, spaying and neutering your animal has other benefits. The surgery prevents common causes of infections, cancers, and reduces or eliminates many behavioral problems, including spraying, aggression, and roaming far from home.
Why are all shelter animals microchipped at adoption?
Each year hundreds of lost pets come to our shelter, but are never reunited with their owners because of lack of identification. Therefore it is our policy that each adopted animal is implanted with a small chip on the back of his or her neck before leaving the shelter. (The price of the microchip is included in your adoption fee.) This chip helps ensure that your pet is identified and returned to you quickly should he or she get lost. The chip can be read at veterinary offices and animal shelters. If you move, be sure to contact the microchip company and notify them of your new contact information.
How much does it cost to adopt?
Adoption fees help offset some of the costs of caring for the animals in our shelter. Click here to see our low adoption fees.
Can I bring my animal to your clinic for her veterinary care?
Yes. HSHV operates a full service veterinary Clinic. We have wonderful veterinarians on staff who treat our shelter animals, do low cost spay/neuters, and offer affordable routine veterinary care to any companion animal in our community. Our clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am – 6:00pm. For an appointment, please call 734-662-4365.
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