Archives for Speaking of Compassion

What would your dog’s note say?

What would your dog’s note say?

October 16, 2018 | Comments Off on What would your dog’s note say?

Recently a news story about an abandoned puppy in Michigan “went viral” because of a sad note attached to that pup.  The note told a story of an owner who had a stroke and a puppy needing a new home because of it. While this is a heart-breaking situation, it is also very common.  This easily happens hundreds of times a day in Michigan alone.  The reality is that our companion animals get stuck in the crosshairs of our messy lives. The part of the note that bothered me was at the end, it read “Please don’t take me to
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One way to pick Michigan politicians: See how they treat animals

One way to pick Michigan politicians: See how they treat animals

August 3, 2018 | Comments Off on One way to pick Michigan politicians: See how they treat animals

Gubernatorial candidate, Shri Thanedar, recently received some negative publicity regarding lab animals (beagles and monkeys) used at his former research facility.  The company filed for bankruptcy and the animals were abandoned, locked in the building with no care.  They were saved by former lab workers who broke into the building to provide food and water, and rescue groups who found placements in homes and sanctuaries.  The candidate claimed he was an animal lover and blamed the bank that foreclosed on the property. Political candidates face much public scrutiny to help voters understand their ability to lead.  Though very occasionally an inflammatory
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Adopter beware:  The word “rescue” may not mean what you think it means.

Adopter beware:  The word “rescue” may not mean what you think it means.

April 26, 2018 | Comments Off on Adopter beware:  The word “rescue” may not mean what you think it means.

Recently the Washington Post investigated the alarming practice of so-called “rescue” groups buying puppies at auction from commercial breeders, known as puppy mills. Here’s what we know about the puppy mill industry:  Nearly all pups that come from a commercial breeder are the result of emotional and physical torture. Breeder dogs are kept in cruel conditions: tiny, dirty, wire-bottom cages, where they are treated as machines of production, churning out litter after litter. They receive no human companionship or comfort. They are barely able to move, let alone run or play. A sickening joke played on “man’s best friend.” Here’s what we know
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A call to the wild

A call to the wild

January 5, 2018 | Comments Off on A call to the wild

On one of my first days at HSHV (nearly 13 years ago), I watched one of our Field Rescue staff deftly combing burrs and bugs off a small, young hedgehog. He had freed the poor critter from a fence in which she was stuck and then brought her back to HSHV to check for injuries. After making her a little better off than before he found her, he released her back into the wild. “Life is tough for wild animals” is something he repeated often. A very simple statement that carries heavy weight. During this severe cold snap, I think
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Thanks-giving

Thanks-giving

November 22, 2017 | Comments Off on Thanks-giving

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.” -A.A. Milne As I reflect on what I am grateful for this Thanksgiving, I think immediately of our supporters, staff, volunteers, Junior Volunteers, and Board members who give so much to help prevent the suffering of innocent animals.  Call me biased, but I believe people who feel such great compassion for animals are the best of humankind.  I am so thankful to work alongside them and that we are able to ban together through this noble institution to put our
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“Just” animals? Or are they family?

“Just” animals? Or are they family?

September 21, 2017 | Comments Off on “Just” animals? Or are they family?

Studies show a growing number of pet owners, now about 90%, think of their animals as family.  We buy them birthday presents and special treats, and even dress them up in pretty dresses. As such, HSHV is widely celebrated for connecting so many animal lovers with new furry family members.  But there are so many other ways we help pet lovers that don’t get as much notice.  I recently received an emotional reminder of one of them. I was contacted by a former Ann Arborite who had surrendered her two cats here last year.  She explained that her mother was
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The wild within

The wild within

June 20, 2017 | Comments Off on The wild within

The other day my daughter was up during the wee hours doing homework in the kitchen and in walked one of our cats…or so she thought. When she looked up she found herself face to face with a small but plump raccoon, also a juvenile. They looked at each other, equally surprised, and ran in opposite directions. This clever little fellow had used our dog door to come in for a tasty meal. (Solving the recent mystery of a suddenly empty cat food bowl and strangely muddy water dish.) But while my daughter was jarred by this unexpected encounter, there
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11,000 cats are counting, not multiplying

11,000 cats are counting, not multiplying

April 11, 2017 | Comments Off on 11,000 cats are counting, not multiplying

This spring marks HSHV’s 10th anniversary of doing Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR)!  Ten years ago, HSHV was at the forefront of a new movement to reduce population and end needless death of outdoor living cats: becoming the first animal shelter in Michigan to institute our own TNR program. Today, we are very proud to have sterilized over 11,000 cats through TNR. When I started here, we were euthanizing about half of our animals, many perfectly healthy animals like feral/outdoor living cats. It was tragic, needless death, and it was horrible for our staff and toxic to the organization. Euthanasia is supposed to be
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What happens in the dark?

What happens in the dark?

February 16, 2017 | Comments Off on What happens in the dark?

When I was a little girl, I was scared of the dark. I was sure there were demons lurking in my closet just waiting to get me. Fortunately I had my trusty dog as my loyal defender. I am no longer afraid of the actual darkness, but I am of the figurative kind. When it comes to powerless populations in the custody of others, “light” is a critical defender. Too commonly, underfunded or profit-driven institutions abuse their power and become cruel when their actions are hidden under a cloak of darkness. We learned decades ago about the gruesome abuse suffered
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Why breed bans don’t make sense

Why breed bans don’t make sense

December 7, 2016 | Comments Off on Why breed bans don’t make sense

Without even getting into the messy muck of debate about DNA and what actually is a “pit bull,” I can say without hesitation that breed bans are senseless. A sweeping city-wide or housing-wide ban on a type of dog, based on sensational new stories about another dog of *possibly* the same breed, are the epitome of prejudice and discrimination – to judge and treat one because of the actions of another. Similar to banning a group of people from a community based solely on race or ethnicity. Dogs can be dangerous. The bigger they are the more harm they can do. This
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