Posts by Wendy Welch

Animals and COVID-19

As you may have recently heard in the news, a tiger in the Bronx zoo became mildly ill and tested positive for COVID-19. There have also been media reports about a small study just published suggesting that domestic cats are susceptible. Dogs may be vulnerable too, but the evidence points to this being less likely. In this study, a few cats and kittens were injected with mega doses of the virus, contracted the disease and infected other cats. Understandably, these stories are adding to the confusion and worry about how to keep ourselves and our animals safe.  But neither the zoo
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Humane Society goes virtual during Covid-19 crisis

April 6, 2020 (Ann Arbor, MI) – Like many other animal shelters in Michigan, HSHV is offering only essential services and following all official recommendations to stop the spread of COVID-19. Adoptions and animal intakes are by appointment only. The outpatient veterinary clinic is no longer performing outpatient sterilizations or other non-essential exams. All onsite programs and events have been canceled and HSHV’s cat cafe, Tiny Lions Lounge and Adoption Center, remains closed until further notice. But, during this time of social isolation, community members can still connect with animals and people from the comfort of their couch.  HSHV has gone
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How You Can Help Animals Now

HSHV is deeply committed to our animals, our animal loving community and the many vulnerable families in our community. In this time of turmoil and uncertainty, there are many things we can’t do, but many things we can.
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HSHV reminds community, “We’re still here for the animals and you”

As many hunker down with their furry friends, others suffer quarantine loneliness or economic uncertainty, and Washtenaw County's 120+ year old Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) wants to remind you they're still here. "Our pets are so important to our families, health and wellness. While HSHV has cancelled or postponed all group activities, we remain open for the most critical needs of our beloved animals," says Tanya Hilgendorf, HSHV's CEO.
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What is a feral cat and what is a stray?

  To determine if a cat is simply a visiting community cat from the neighborhood or a lost or abandoned stray cat, monitor the cat for a few days. If the cat is clean and healthy, it is likely a community cat just visiting. You may notice that the cat already has an ear tip on its left ear, indicating it has been sterilized through a TNR program. If the cat is friendly, you can place a collar on the cat’s neck with a note asking the owners to notify you if this is their cat. This way, an owned
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It’s like he’s always belonged here.

I’ve had animals as part of my life for as long as I can remember. After I lost my last cat two months ago, I thought I would wait until the fall to travel over the summer and then commit to another animal. Needless to say, I only made it three weeks. I came to the shelter and kept circling back to a cat that one of the volunteers was petting. When I asked if I could see him, of course she said yes! And when I bent down to pet him, he licked my hand. That was it! I
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Marzipan moon pie

Before my husband and I were married, we attended college together at the University of Michigan. We both loved cats and knew that we needed to find the perfect companion to complete our little family. We went to the Humane Society and fell in love with Marzy (previously Honey). Since then we’ve been through graduate school, multiple city moves, new jobs, and Marzy has been by our sides for everything providing soft comforting purrs and warm cuddly naps. A few months ago, we bought a home and moved to Dixboro, so close to where our little family started at the
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When you need a big brother

We adopted Cosette almost two months ago, and she’s an absolute joy. Especially to her big brother Henry. She is so smart, and it’s obvious she had an outstanding foster family! She has been an absolute joy.   Favabean now Cosette
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Moose gets a forever family

Two years ago, my boyfriend was supposed to take me to the opening day Tigers baseball game. The game got rained out, and we instead decided to go look at the animals at the humane society! We really only went to look, but when we saw little Moose, we fell in love. I petted him through his cage, and he fell asleep in my hand. I knew then that he was going to be coming home with us! He’s now grown up, but he remains as friendly, cuddly, and rambunctious as he was the first day we brought him into
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