Posts by Wendy Welch

Ponies, Goats, Dogs, Turtles, and More—120+ Animals Get a Second Chance

Ponies, Goats, Dogs, Turtles, and More—120+ Animals Get a Second Chance

September 16, 2025 | Comments Off on Ponies, Goats, Dogs, Turtles, and More—120+ Animals Get a Second Chance

She came to buy a horse, but left with concern. The horse wasn’t healthy and happy– but instead was suffering from severe neglect. Would she turn a blind eye and hope for the best? No. She contacted HSHV cruelty investigators. When the rescue began, what we found was grim: over 100 neglected animals in poor health, cramped or unsanitary conditions, inadequate food or veterinary care. We immediately got them water and they literally stepped over each other to get it. The scene broke hearts. But alongside that heartbreak was action — swift, determined, resolute. Our rescue officers moved in. Animal
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Compassionate Area Youth Recognized by Humane Society of Huron Valley

Compassionate Area Youth Recognized by Humane Society of Huron Valley

September 16, 2025 | Comments Off on Compassionate Area Youth Recognized by Humane Society of Huron Valley

­­­­Ann Arbor, MI (September 16, 2025) — The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Humane Youth Award, recognizing outstanding young advocates (ages 12-17) whose compassion, service, and leadership are making a meaningful difference in the lives of animals in our community. Award Recipients  OV Serlin, 15, of Ann Arbor— 2025 Humane Youth Award WinnerAs a Junior Volunteer at HSHV, OV she has spent over 100 hours enriching the lives of the cats, dogs, and small mammals that temporarily call HSHV home. But OV’s animal advocacy extends beyond HSHV; she has spent time volunteering
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HSHV Rescues Over 120 Animals from Repeat Offender with Long History of Cruelty

HSHV Rescues Over 120 Animals from Repeat Offender with Long History of Cruelty

September 4, 2025 | Comments Off on HSHV Rescues Over 120 Animals from Repeat Offender with Long History of Cruelty

­­Ann Arbor, MI (September 4, 2025) — Friday evening, the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) rescued 126 animals from a person with a history of animal cruelty-related convictions and felony charges. The rescued animals included dogs, cats, horses, ponies, a donkey, goats, sheep, a rabbit, snakes, iguanas, frogs, tarantulas, and more. The suspect, Christine Thompson, currently has two pending felony animal cruelty charges from northern Michigan and a warrant for failure to appear in court; a case which has resulted in more than 100 animals being seized and civilly forfeited. Thompson also has a prior conviction in another northern
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Treat Tosses, Sniff Hunts, Hand Delivers: Speaking Your Dog’s Reward Language

Treat Tosses, Sniff Hunts, Hand Delivers: Speaking Your Dog’s Reward Language

September 3, 2025 | Comments Off on Treat Tosses, Sniff Hunts, Hand Delivers: Speaking Your Dog’s Reward Language

Many people are familiar with the basics of marker training, where we teach the dog that a marker (often a click from a clicker, or a word like “yes”) predicts that a treat is coming. We can add even more clarity and predictability to our training by teaching our dogs specific cues for different treat delivery methods, like tossing them a treat for them to catch, taking food from our hand, or a tossed treat to sniff out in the grass. This is typically referred to as a “multiple marker system.” Using a multiple marker system can be especially helpful
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HSHV Urges Investigation Into Wayne State’s Killing of Healthy, Adoptable Dog

HSHV Urges Investigation Into Wayne State’s Killing of Healthy, Adoptable Dog

August 14, 2025 | Comments Off on HSHV Urges Investigation Into Wayne State’s Killing of Healthy, Adoptable Dog

Ann Arbor, MI (August 14, 2025) — Together with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) called on the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) today to investigate Wayne State University for killing a healthy, adoptable dog instead of offering him the chance at a home—an action that appears to violate Section 287.388a of Michigan Public Act 224—commonly known as Teddy’s Law, Michigan legislation requiring the adoption of dogs and cats used in laboratory experiments. Recently obtained records show that in 2024, Wayne State killed “dog 3002,” a brown-and-white hound who
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Dogs saved from a meat farm

Dogs saved from a meat farm

August 7, 2025 | Comments Off on Dogs saved from a meat farm

Three dogs, once destined for slaughter in South Korea, found a new leash on life through HSHV this summer. Ellie, Akira, and Luna were among nearly 70 dogs rescued by Humane World for Animals, a nonprofit working internationally to end the dog meat trade. After receiving emergency medical care abroad, three of the survivors were transferred to HSHV. Having spent their days in wire cages, without comfort, affection, warm beds or nourishing food, Ellie, Akira and Luna were at first, too terrified to leave their kennels. But within days of arriving in Ann Arbor, all three were welcomed by loving
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An update on Uno

An update on Uno

July 30, 2025 | Comments Off on An update on Uno

Uno and his siblings arrived at HSHV in April 2025. Orphaned and struggling, they needed urgent help, and we quickly got them into the care of one of our amazing fosters. Thanks to an incubator, syringe feeding, and plenty of love, the kittens now had a fighting chance. But as Uno grew, his breathing became labored. He had “funnel chest,” a condition in which his sternum and rib cage curved inward, leaving little room for his heart and lungs to grow. This is often fatal and requires costly surgery. Thankfully, due to the kindness of HSHV supporters like you, Uno
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Starving Dog Dumped in Ypsilanti; Humane Society Seeks Information

Starving Dog Dumped in Ypsilanti; Humane Society Seeks Information

July 24, 2025 | Comments Off on Starving Dog Dumped in Ypsilanti; Humane Society Seeks Information

Ann Arbor, MI (July 24, 2025) — The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) is investigating a suspected case of animal cruelty after a dog was found abandoned and in severe condition on the side of the road in Ypsilanti. The female dog, who looks to be approximately 5 years old and a bulldog mix, was discovered this Sunday, July 21, near the intersection of Chalmers and Washtenaw Avenue. She was found covered in urine and feces, emaciated, and in need of immediate medical care. A concerned Good Samaritan brought her to HSHV’s shelter. It is suspected she may have
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Your dog, Treat Expert

Your dog, Treat Expert

July 1, 2025 | Comments Off on Your dog, Treat Expert

Treats are an important part of teaching your dog new skills, but it can be hard to know what treats to use for your dog. When training, it is important to choose appropriate reinforcement for the learner so that they are motivated to keep learning but still able to think clearly while we are attempting to teach. There are many variables that go into choosing treats, here are a few tips that can get you started on the road to training success. No two dogs will have all of the same preferences. Pay attention to what your dog seems to
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We Can—and Should—Coexist with Urban Wildlife

We Can—and Should—Coexist with Urban Wildlife

June 16, 2025 | Comments Off on We Can—and Should—Coexist with Urban Wildlife

Local governments are increasingly facing challenges from urban wildlife. As we expand into natural habitats—and restore green spaces and waterways—encounters with animals like deer, coyotes, and beavers are inevitable. What’s troubling is how often the response is reactive, violent, and uninformed. The recent killing of a family of beavers at Ann Arbor’s Leslie Park Golf Course is a case in point. Beavers are remarkably intelligent and ecologically vital—nature’s engineers. But when conflict arose, the only response was lethal removal – reportedly using gruesome Conibear traps that are illegal in Ann Arbor.. It was stated that there was a search for
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