Posts by Wendy Welch

Don’t be fooled by a wagging tail…

One of the most misunderstood pieces of dog body language is the wagging tail.  Most of us have been taught that a wagging tail is a sign that a dog is friendly and wants to interact.  A wagging tail is actually a sign of excitement and arousal.  The dog may be excited because they want to say hi, but they could also be aroused because they are stressed or concerned.  It’s important to look at the dog’s entire body, not just the tail, before deciding if this is truly a friendly greeting. Is that dog wagging with a tail at
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Why aren’t lost dogs getting back home in Washtenaw County?

The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV), the only shelter in Washtenaw County and Plymouth for stray animals, has seen a significant decrease in the number of animals returned to owners this year. While HSHV has been taking in more lost/stray animals than in past years, in 2023, the shelter has only been able to return 43% of lost dogs to owners; that’s the lowest in over 20 years.  An increasing number of dogs are coming in without tags or microchips, or if they do, they have incorrect information.
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What’s gotten into my pup?

Many dog owners are familiar with the “puppy witching hour” – that period of time in the evening where your dog suddenly seems to have an excess of energy to burn off.  This is very normal, as dogs are crepuscular, meaning that they are most active around dawn and dusk and have extended periods of rest during the day and night.  Since both boredom and sleep deprivation can result in problematic behavior, here are a couple tips for using what we know about dog sleep patterns to help keep harmony in the home: Have a plan to give your dog
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Adopt a pet free at Humane Society of Huron Valley

Animals don’t have a time limit at The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV), but they still can’t wait to find a home.  So HSHV is rolling out a new initiative to help them get one faster. For animals who’ve been at the shelter longer than normal, HSHV is waiving the adoption fee.
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Humane Society of Huron Valley honors pets’ forever legacy with first-ever digital memorials

“Love Stays Here” digital collectibles will honor lost pets and support animals currently in need Ann Arbor, MI (December 20, 2022) — The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) offers pet owners and lovers a lasting new way to honor lost pets with the “Love Stays Here” digital collectible and online memorial wall. Digital collectibles are unique images with unchangeable identifying information that last forever. “And these beautiful remembrances carry the loving legacy of a pet forward by helping animals in need now,” says Jaci Schaecher, HSHV’s VP of Marketing and Development. Those who wish to celebrate a past pet
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Adoptable Dogs Waiting Twice as Long for Homes

Ann Arbor, MI (December 6, 2022) — Across the state, animal shelters and rescues, including Ann Arbor’s Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) are battling a capacity crisis of historic levels. More kittens have come in to HSHV this year than in the past 15 years, and dogs are waiting twice as long for adopters. Dogs in Grand Rapids’ Kent County Animal Shelter are waiting an average of 30 days longer for adoption. Royal Oak’s animal shelter reports having hit 200% capacity for dogs this year. “Current economic conditions and people going back to work are likely causing the slowdown
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