Keeping Pets Happy and Safe During Holiday Celebrations
Holidays are a wonderful time to gather with friends and family, eat delicious food, laugh, and make memories. This can be an unusual time for our pets, however, due to the increased activity in the home. Dogs and cats that are typically social with...
Building a More Humane Community for Everyone and Every Breed
On October 10, the Grosse Pointe Shores City Council held a special meeting to discuss Ordinance 279, commonly referred to as their pit bull ban. In a 4-3 vote, they amended the ordinance, replaced it with ordinance 280, and removed any reference to breed-specific...
Michigan Humane Supports Access to Veterinary Care through Telehealth
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people were working from home and there was a surge in pet adoptions, virtual veterinary appointments were a convenient and safe option. Often referred to as “telehealth” or “telemedicine,” virtual veterinary care...
Breed-Specific Legislation Sends the Wrong Message
Earlier this summer, I wrote about Grosse Pointe Shores’ proposed ban on pit bulls. Last night, I was disappointed to hear that the ban was passed by the city council. I want to start by laying out my background because I think it is relevant to this issue. For...
Legacy Society Celebrated at Pantry Luncheon
On August 23 we held a luncheon at our Caplan Family Pet Food Pantry to celebrate and show appreciation for members of our Legacy Society. Donors were welcomed in for lunch, a presentation by members of the Leadership team, and an open time of Q&A to engage in...
Courtroom Support Dogs Ensure Justice
Jeeter, a service dog for a boy with cerebral palsy, became the first courtroom support dog by happenstance. The boy’s mother, Ellen O’Neil-Stephens, was a deputy prosecutor in the juvenile drug court in the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in Seattle. One...
Breed-Specific Bans Don’t Address the Real Issues
On June 4th, in Grosse Pointe Shores, a couple walking their small dog was attacked by another dog that had gotten loose from a neighboring property. The dog was identified as a pit bull and the pet that was attacked ended up with injuries that ultimately required...
Michigan Humane Supports Goldie’s Act
“Golden Retriever #142” suffered for months in a commercial breeding facility in Iowa. She was severely emaciated and was not provided with food, water, or veterinary care. Inspectors from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) were aware of her condition, but they...
Legislators and Staff Visit Michigan Humane
Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting two Michigan legislators (Sen. Dayna Polehanki and Rep. Kevin Coleman) and three legislative staff members (from the offices of Rep. Jason Hoskins and Rep. Jimmie Wilson, Jr.) for a tour of our Berman Center for Animal Care in...
New Year, New Legislative Session
With the beginning of 2023 came the beginning of a new two-year legislative session. Bills that did not pass by the end of the 2021-22 legislative session died and will have to be reintroduced. No animal welfare bills passed during the 2021-22 session. As a result of...