Archives for Press Release

Bald Eagle rejoins Ann Arbor family, after rescue from fishing wire

Ann Arbor, MI (May 21, 2021) — Dangling upside down, entangled in a mass of fishing line which tied him to a branch hanging over Huron River, about 4 feet from shore and 1 foot from water, a Bald Eagle needed rescuing. Fortunately, a Good Samaritan called the Humane Society of Huron Valley’s (HSHV) wildlife rescue line Saturday. “He was still tangled up, and many of his feathers had been broken,” says Michael Shivak, HSHV Rescue Field Agent. “Thankfully, with our veterinarians’ help, we were able to remove the rest of the fishing line from the bird who, luckily, didn’t
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Cut Up Dog Found in Ypsilanti – Tips Wanted

Ann Arbor, MI (March 27, 2021) — An Ypsilanti family is desperate for answers on what happened to their dog. Their 12-year-old terrier was found dead on the side of Ecorse Road, just off Michigan Avenue on Monday, March 22. The owners said he’d been missing for four days, last seen at 7 a.m. on Thursday, March 18 at their residence about 2 ½ miles away, in the Ypsilanti area of Chevrolet Street and Zephyr Avenue. He was reportedly in their backyard on a tie-out, and when the family came home from the hospital at 3 p.m. on March 18,
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Ypsilanti Resident Charged with Animal Cruelty, Sentenced to Probation 

Ann Arbor, MI (March 26, 2021) — After pleading “no contest” to animal cruelty, on February 18, 2021, the Honorable Judge Erane Washington sentenced Ypsilanti Resident Connie Denham to one year probation and over $5,000 in restitution fees. In late December 2019, Animal Cruelty Investigators from the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) executed a search warrant on Denham’s residence, following a tip from another case. The property was infested with cockroaches, littered with excrement, and inhabited by Denham, an older adult, and six dogs. With fur caked in feces and urine, the dogs were so matted that they had
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Deer Doctor makes a virtual house call to Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI (March 12, 2021) – In 2015, Ann Arbor City Council approved a four-year deer management plan including shooting deer in city limits; 2020 was the fifth year. To date, Ann Arbor has spent over $750,000 on deer management, including $469,700 to contracted sharpshooters who have also been counting the deer. In 2020, their aerial survey counted 137 deer in the city, versus 224 the year previous. “As a community leader faced with the impact of deer damage in parks, yards, and gardens, and conflict among your constituents regarding an effective solution, you are not alone,” writes Sandy Baker,
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Humane Society of the United States awards HSHV’s Cruelty and Rescue Supervisor

Melinda Szabelski, Cruelty and Rescue Supervisor at Washtenaw County’s Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV), was named a “local hero” in the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Stop Puppy Mills Campaign. The award is given annually to 14 people across the nation who’ve made a difference fighting puppy mills in their communities.
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3 Dead Puppies found in Ypsilanti’s Peninsular Park; Humane Society of Huron Valley asking for Tips

Ann Arbor, MI (December 18, 2020) — A woman who regularly walks her dog in Ypsilanti’s Peninsular Park was startled to see a dead puppy off the side of a floating dock last Thursday night. She contacted the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV). Upon investigation, a Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) Field Agent found not one, but three deceased puppies. The puppies were found at the edge of the river, just off the side of the floating dock past the main parking area; and a deceased iguana was discovered a little further out in the water. The cause
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Children read to homeless animals, helping both

Ann Arbor, MI (October 13, 2020) –  What would dogs like to read? Fortunately for our community’s kids, everything! “Rescue Reading,” a new program at the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV), gives children the opportunity to practice their reading skills in front of a nonjudgmental audience: homeless animals. In turn, the animals receive extra attention and a calming experience with local little people. “It’s so heartwarming and a real win-win,” says Karen Patterson, a former elementary school teacher and VP of Humane Education and Volunteering at HSHV. “Research shows that children can improve their reading speed and accuracy by reading
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Need childcare? Animals to the rescue! Essential workers get 50% off school-day camp

Ann Arbor, MI (September 17, 2020) — Navigating the new school landscape may be a challenge, but the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) is lending a helping paw. “Camp PAWS is one of our most popular programs during school breaks,” says Karen Patterson, VP of Humane Education and Volunteering at HSHV. “We are happy to extend this program into the school year to help support the wonderful essential workers and their families and offer a safe, fun place for their children to learn.” Camp PAWS provides a school-like environment for ages 5-11 with supervision and instruction from HSHV’s humane
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BOW… Wow! We’re the Best of Washtenaw because of you!

Only because of you can we do what we do! Save animals. Help people. And keep spreading the love. And every year, you push us to do better, and we couldn’t do that without you, either! (Check out our annual report here.) So we are thrilled not only to be nominated for several 2020 Best of Washtenaw and Family Favorites awards… but win them! You make us who we are, and we are so honored to share the news of these awards with you. WINNER: BEST ANIMAL NONPROFIT WINNER: BEST VETERINARIAN WINNER: BEST ACTIVIST – HSHV’S CEO TANYA HILGENDORF WINNER:
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HSHV rescues 45 dogs and cats from Pittsfield Township home

Ann Arbor, MI (September 1, 2020) — Following a tip from concerned sources that animals weren’t being properly cared for, Animal Cruelty Investigators from the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) executed a search warrant and seized 14 cats and 31 dogs from a Pittsfield Township residence Friday afternoon. Investigators from HSHV arrived to find two dead dogs and 43 animals living among raw sewage and excrement. Some of the animals were fearful and underweight, and several were in need of emergency medical care. They were immediately transported to HSHV for treatment. All of the animals are currently being cared
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