Posts by Wendy Welch

HSHV celebrates Dependence Day

HSHV celebrates Dependence Day

July 2, 2019 | Comments Off on HSHV celebrates Dependence Day

(July 2, 2019) – “Animals depend on us,” says Tanya Hilgendorf, CEO/President of the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV). “This July 4, we’re celebrating all the people who’ve made wonderful things happen for the animals in our community.” Donors, adopters, volunteers and staff are among the many folks celebrated in HSHV’s 2018 annual report, and whom HSHV credits with making animals’ lives better. “Last year presented some of our greatest challenges yet,” says Hilgendorf. “Hundreds of additional animals came through our doors than in the year previous, and a lot more cruelty reports came in. We investigated and rescued
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Penny Lane filled my sad heart up

Penny Lane filled my sad heart up

July 1, 2019 | Comments Off on Penny Lane filled my sad heart up

We were about a year out from when we lost my cat Nelson, and I was devastated by the loss. My other cat, Bogart, was noticeably sad and lonely as well. Our household felt empty, and though Bogart liked the extra cuddles, he missed playing with his big brother, Nelson. I decided that I would go to the humane society to look at cats, but my heart was so heavy, I was sure I wouldn’t find anyone to bring home. I wasn’t even in the cat rooms yet, when I walked past a little cage and a paw flew out
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Food for Thought

Food for Thought

July 1, 2019 | Comments Off on Food for Thought

Did you know that HSHV is a vegetarian organization? We don’t ever use donor money or sponsor events that entail meat (for human consumption, that is; feeding animals is a bit trickier) and are careful to avoid or to consider the sourcing of other animal-based food and products. We do this because not eating animals is another way we can help save lives. We do it also because of the rampant and pervasive cruelty in the industrialized farming industry, known as factory farming. It isn’t our job to tell folks what to eat, but it is our responsibility to increase
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Red, White and Boo

Red, White and Boo

June 26, 2019 | Comments Off on Red, White and Boo

Consider July 4th the Halloween for pets. Some don’t mind it; others want to run for the hills. Though your companion animals may never see the 4th of July celebration as a treat, here are some tricks to make the upcoming days more comfortable. First, though you may want to celebrate with your entire family, chances are, your dog will be happier and safer at home. If your dog is comforted by the presence of people and loves the safety of a lap, see if someone can stay with your dog. Keep your windows and doors closed — both to block noise and
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HSHV investigating abuse of kitten by a juvenile

HSHV investigating abuse of kitten by a juvenile

June 25, 2019 | Comments Off on HSHV investigating abuse of kitten by a juvenile

(June 25, 2019) – The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) is investigating the alleged abuse of a four-week-old kitten by a pre-teen in Ypsilanti. Witnesses reported seeing the child kick the kitten twice, then toss him in the air several times—allowing the kitten to fall onto cement—then douse him in water. The kitten was bleeding from the mouth when seized by an Eastern Michigan University police officer. The kitten, now named Beasley, has been treated for his injuries at HSHV and is recuperating in foster care. “Beasley was terrified when he first came in,” says Melinda Szabelski, Cruelty and Rescue
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A “tail” of three cats – Story #3 – Toby

A “tail” of three cats – Story #3 – Toby

June 24, 2019 | Comments Off on A “tail” of three cats – Story #3 – Toby

In March of 2018, I started looking for a companion kitty for Loki, my HSHV Alum. His 17-year old kitty brother had passed away, and I could tell that Loki was lonely. Being a volunteer at HSHV, I saw something on the website about a very friendly 3-year male cat by the name of Toby. Very friendly, outgoing kitties don’t last long at HSHV, so I rushed over on a Sunday morning to be there when the shelter opened. I visited briefly with Toby and sure enough, he was all loves, purrs, kitty chatter and head bumps into me. I
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A “tail” of three cats – Story #2 – Loki

A “tail” of three cats – Story #2 – Loki

June 24, 2019 | Comments Off on A “tail” of three cats – Story #2 – Loki

In August of 2014, while working a volunteer shift at HSHV, I came across a young male Siamese mixed kitty. He was very vocal in the cage, so I paid him a visit. His name was Loki, and I fell instantly in love with him. Loki was a kitten at the shelter when he was adopted, but a year and half later the family brought him back which turned into my good fortune. A year before, I had lost our Tuxedo girl kitty to old age and it took a year for before I was ready to add another kitty
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A “tail” of three cats – Story #1 – Remy

A “tail” of three cats – Story #1 – Remy

June 24, 2019 | Comments Off on A “tail” of three cats – Story #1 – Remy

Back in August of 2013, we adopted Remington “Remy” Steele from HSHV. Back then his name at the shelter was Walter and he lived in the admin offices. This was before the offices became the sanctuary for FeLV cats. Remy came into the shelter in April of 2013 and it was the practice back then to give long term kitties a break from living in a cage while waiting to be adopted. We really don’t know his back story when he joined our family at the age of 8 in August of 2013. But we do know that at one
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Missy found her confidence!

Missy found her confidence!

June 24, 2019 | Comments Off on Missy found her confidence!

We adopted our sweet girl Athena from HSHV back in December 2017 to keep our our rescue Kiki company. However, we lost Kiki October of 2018 and Athena had been lonely ever since. We decided we were at a place where we could get a new friend for Athena. We showed up at HSHV after the Love Train and saw Missy, and I knew that was our girl. She was the puppies’ mom and needed some extra love. It hasn’t even been three weeks, and this sweetheart has just completely blossomed! She went from being scared and hiding in the
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One year with Lulu

One year with Lulu

June 21, 2019 | Comments Off on One year with Lulu

One year ago last Sunday, we brought home Lulu. We knew that she was meant to be part of our pack the moment she dove into our laps the first day we met her. She has been the perfect pup for my anxiety, with her first instinct during a panic attack being to lie on my chest; no training required. Since being part of our pack, Lulu has found a deep passion for boating, napping, licking faces, playing with her bestest friend Mazie (who was also rescued from HSHV) and more napping. We never could’ve imagined a more perfect dog
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