Posts by Wendy Welch

It was a big week…

A 1 month-old kitten, a feisty tabbycat and a black lab pup…these 3 animals have something unexpected in common. In the same week, they were all diagnosed with needing specialty surgery.
Read More

Animal lovers: Beware of traps

Our Emergency Rescue team is experiencing the usual high volume of summer rescue calls: helping ducklings stuck in storm drains, squirrels in car engines, skunks in window wells, foxes hit by cars, birds caught in fishing line. But the most heart-breaking incidents involve traps, and we may begin seeing a lot more of them.
Read More

Cues, part two: What to do when your dog won’t respond.

Our last tip addressed things to consider when a dog is not responding to a trained cue.  We mentioned that the first step is always to rule out whether there is a medical reason for the dog’s unwillingness or inability to respond.  Assuming that there is not a physical reason found, here are a few more things to consider if your dog isn’t responding to a cue you believe they know: Does the dog truly understand the behavior?  Perhaps we haven’t trained something as thoroughly as we think we have, especially if it is a more complicated or challenging task. 
Read More

HSHV supports Ann Arbor Ordinance on Humane Pet Acquisition

Ann Arbor, MI (June 9, 2023) – The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) applauds Ann Arbor City Council for considering a ban on pet stores and is grateful to the ordinance sponsors Councilmembers Dharma Akmon, Jenn Cornell, Cynthia Harrison, and Ayesha Ghazi Edwin for putting forth a compassionate proposal. It is well-known that commercial breeding facilities, known as puppy and kitten mills, are incredibly cruel, creating unnecessary suffering and financial and emotional hardship on unsuspecting consumers who often deal with lingering health problems. This ordinance is an important safeguard preventing a pet store from ever opening in Ann Arbor and helping
Read More

To Pet Owners in Michigan: Beware of Traps

Following the passage of a proposal last week by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) which now allows squirrels, cottontail rabbits, opossums and other animals deemed “nuisances” to be trapped and killed without a permit, the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) is cautioning people about dangerous—even deadly—traps their pets could mistakenly encounter.
Read More

HSHV Launches Free Services To Keep More People and Pets Together

“Friends for Life” at HSHV is being brought to life by the generosity of the Buhr family, in loving memory of deeply devoted animal lovers Ann Buhr and Kathy Buhr. The program will provide support for seniors and others in need, including veterinary assistance, in-home support and supplies, short-term housing, and animal visits.
Read More