Archives for Advocacy

Should animal cruelty victims be “jailed” for years while their abusers walk free?

I can’t imagine anyone answering “yes.” Most know even the nicest, most loving shelters, like HSHV, are not suitable homes. Long-term sheltering, where an animal spends most of their day caged, is damaging both physically and mentally. That’s why Michigan has an animal forfeiture law. To protect animal cruelty victims from further suffering, a prosecutor’s office can request a hearing that’s presided over by a judge who reviews the evidence, and decides if the animals can be released for adoption while the slow wheels of justice turn. However, many Michigan counties, including Washtenaw County, don’t pursue animal forfeiture. At HSHV,
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What’s Glyphosate doing in our neighborhood?

I recently saw this disturbing sign in the park & nature area next to my home in Ann Arbor. I’ve lived here for roughly 25 years and have never seen such a sign. This lovely natural haven contains protected wetlands and is filled with furry wildlife, bats, songbirds, ducks, an owl or two, and a variety of trees, plants, and wildflowers. It is also a walking path for folks with dogs, the occasional orange kitty, moms with strollers, and kids going to and from school. If you are unfamiliar with glyphosate, I encourage you to do your own Googling to
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Teddy’s Law:  The good, the bad, and what we should do next

Teddy’s Law, recently signed into law by the Governor, was drafted so that dogs and cats used in laboratories can be adopted, instead of killed, when no longer of use. Big thanks to the lead sponsors, Senators Hertel and Polehanki, for working their hearts out to save animals who sacrifice so much. However, there were changes made before final passage that need our attention. Two bills were written to create Teddy’s Law: HB 148 requiring basic reporting on the number of animals used and released for adoption HB 149 requiring adoptions of research dogs & cats when no longer of
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Animal “refugees”?

Ecologists, conservationists and other scientists argue that we are on the brink of experiencing the world’s first mass extinction event since the time of the dinosaurs.  But while previous mass extinctions have occurred due to dramatic natural events like volcanic eruptions and meteor strikes, the next mass extinction will likely be the result of human activity’s impact on the environment. Continuous land development and human sprawl is undoubtedly one of the leading factors in our current extinction problem.  Every time we clear land for a new subdivision or strip mall we are destroying a habitat and creating animal refugees who
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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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Before doing Yoga with Goats (or puppies or kitties or…)

Have you tried yoga with goats, cats, dogs, or even bunnies?  Chances are that if you haven’t, you know someone who has.  Animal yoga has been sweeping the nation, gaining in popularity and ever expanding the species involved.  These yoga experiences can be great fun for both people and animals, but if you plan to participate in yoga with animals, make sure that you do your research before signing up. Unfortunately, not all who offer yoga with animals are concerned with the long-term welfare of their animal practitioners.  So before you do child’s pose with a kid or downward dog
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Choosing a place to board your pet

Choosing a safe and responsible boarding home or facility for your beloved pet is an important part of planning a getaway. With many unregulated and unlicensed homes and facilities providing these services, your pet’s health and safety can be put at risk. So how do you pick? Here are a few things to consider: 1. Word of Mouth. Unfortunately, anyone can run a boarding facility and can do so without regulation. And websites that match families with pet boarders do very little to enforce quality care. Testimony from those we trust can often be a good safeguard in choosing someone
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