Thanks to community support, when we can we help surrounding areas by transporting animals — often puppies! — from other struggling rescues and shelters with high euthanasia rates to HSHV aboard the Love Train.
Love Train
Upcoming transports:
Expected dates to see Love Train animals at HSHV:
Oct 9 | Oct 23
About the Love Train
The Humane Society of Huron Valley is the only animal holding facility in Washtenaw County. As such, we prioritize and are responsible for housing and providing care to all the strays, as well as the abused and abandoned animals in our immediate community. These animals often require lengthy holding times and behavioral and medical care. (Unfortunately, some cruelty case animals are in our care for years while owners are being prosecuted.)
When we have the capacity, our Love Train program extends a helping hand to other shelters throughout Michigan and beyond. While it’s true that puppy pictures often attract the most attention, the Love Train regularly transports a variety of animals—cats, kittens, bunnies, adult dogs, and even the occasional surprise passenger (like the time a pheasant joined the ride!).
Our transports offer adopters seeking puppies an opportunity to rescue and save a life rather than turning to pet stores or unethical breeders. Because of their small size and quick adoptions, puppies do not take adult kennel space from local or other Michigan dogs in need. They are housed in temporary space not suitable for adults or longer term care, as they are adopted in just a few days. Their adoption fees also help support animals who require more time and resources before finding their forever homes.
The Love Train saves puppies who might otherwise face euthanasia, provides adopters with an ethical rescue option, supports the care of harder-to-adopt animals, and does not sacrifice space for local dogs. It’s a win-win-win! Rescue organizations assisting one another is a common practice, and HSHV is proud to support other communities whenever possible.
Get puppies in your inbox
Join our email list to get the latest (+ PUPPY PICTURES) on the Love Train!
Love Train FAQ
Adoptions happen on Love Train Fridays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. . Come see and be prepared to adopt the same day! 🙂 We’d suggest you complete an adoption application (profile, really) online beforehand. Adoptions are first-come, first-served.
Want to see the pictures of the puppies on the Love Train? Please get on our email list (above)! We’ll email photos on Thursday afternoons of Love Train weeks.
Often, puppies are on the Love Train! And sometimes young adult dogs and even cats. We try to post a selection of the animals who will be onboard on our Facebook page and you can get email notifications (above), too. Fortunately, most of the animals are adopted very quickly, so sometimes they’re only on our website for a minute!
When our animals go home, they’ve received an initial health check and have been spayed/neutered, microchipped, current on vaccinations (as appropriate to their age) and have received their initial dewormer — and kittens and cats have been Feline Leukemia tested, and dogs have been heartworm tested and temperament tested. Compare us to a pet store or a breeder; it’s a good deal to adopt from HSHV!
Adoption fees not only cover the above services, but also offset the cost of caring for the animals prior to being adopted. For Love Train animals, their fees also help offset transportation costs. Thank you for your adoption fee!
- Puppies (under 6 months old) – $395
- Small Breed Adult Dogs (6 months up to 8 years) – $290
- Medium-Large Breed Adult Dogs (6 months up to 8 years) – $205
- Senior Dogs (any size, 8 years or older) – $105
- Kittens (up to 5 months) – $150
- Cats (5 months up to 12 years) – $115
- Senior Cats (12 years or older) – $50
Thank you for asking! We depend upon donations to keep the Love Train going full steam ahead to save more lives. There are several ways to help:
1) Sponsor a litter of puppies! For $500, we’ll send you information about the innocent lives you’re saving,, and you’ll get to name the puppies! We’ll also send you sneak peek pictures of the pups when they arrive at HSHV, prior to their public debut.
2) Sponsor a van full of animals! For $2,500 you can sponsor a Love Train transport, which includes a sign with your desired name on the van (which you can keep as a souvenir!), and an opportunity to help unload and settle the puppies upon their arrival at HSHV. For more on sponsoring a Love Train, please call (734) 209-9339 or email impact@hshv.org.
And thank you for sharing our Love Train program with anyone who wants to rescue a puppy!
First, thank you for adopting! We’d love to stay connected. Head to Facebook and join the group “HSHV’s Love Train”. There, you’ll see other Love Train-ers – adopters, fosters, partners… and potentially others who know your animal or who know your animal’s sibling!
Please email communications@hshv.org. Thank you!
Sponsor a Love Train
You keep the Love Train going! Sponsor a litter or sponsor an entire van full of animals; you'll be glad you did!
