Thursday, March 31, 2011

I'm floating on air. I'm on cloud nine! I am smiling so big you can't see the rest of my face!

Several years ago Chippewa County, Michigan, had an animal shelter that killed just about every cat and kitten and dog and puppy that made it inside the building. It was privately managed by brutal individuals that were totally heartless. They would pile dead animals in a corner and ask for animal control to come to collect their day's carcasses of destruction.

A group of concerned animal folks began to have bi-monthly meetings hoping to change what they considered to be mass murder of their county's companion animals. After many letters written and many public education events and many Chippewa County Commission meetings attended by the members of this group, the country agreed to spend the money to erect their own shelter and to hire their own staff. At a time when money was extremely tight - the County Commission took a very bold step.
I am SO PROUD to say that I was a part of the core group that attended those meetings and did her best to convince our county commissioners to make changes where so many didn't believe changes were necessary. A shelter manager was hired that took her job to heart and made it her goal to have our public animal shelter create and enforce a 'no kill' policy. She got her wish. Please stand with me to applaud the Chippewa County Animal Control Shelter and it's manager, Holly Henderson, for having the third highest 'save rate' in the State of Michigan. 

Shelter Manager Holly Henderson, states she is very proud of the shelter's ranking.
"We have worked very hard to ensure no healthy adoptable animal is euthanized at our shelter. I credit this success in part to financial assistance we receive through FOCAS who sponsors our rigorous spay and neuter program, and Guardian Angels for Animals who covers all medical costs for shelter residents. I would also like to thank our amazing staff who goes above and beyond their job description and our phenomenal group of volunteers, who dedicate their time to not only the animals' care, but promote them in our community and beyond.  I also can't say this enough, but we are only as great as our community allows us to be, so a big thank you to our County Commissioners and the general public, for your support and commitment to the homeless animals in Chippewa County."


Be sure to biggy-fy to view
I have NO WORDS to completely express my unbridled joy. It is unheard of for a publicly funded shelter to have a 'no kill' policy and I have the distinct pleasure to live in one such county.

Most importantly, DON'T EVER GIVE UP - NEVER! I live in a small farming community with few tax dollars and an historical mind-set that animals are animals - no big deal. Change CAN take place. It REALLY and honestly can take place. DON'T EVER GIVE UP!

National Canine Cancer Foundation

18 comments:

dArtagnan Rumblepurr/Diego Hamlet Moonfur said...

Yahoo!!!

Pippen said...

Way to Go! We are very proud of you for being part of the group that stood up to make a difference!

Sam and Pippen

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

MeWowZa! That is such great news and gives one hope. Especially with the tragic news right now of what's been happening at the Memphis TN and the Chesterfield SC shelters, where one might think things are hopeless, you show that often for bad to happen all that has to occur is for good people to do nothing...

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND to Miss Holly!!! I should also give congratulations to your County Commissioners also!!!

This is truly an inspirational post.

BRAVO BRAVO

Oskar said...

What great news for our great state! Michigan needs good news.

Thank you for standing up.

Nubbin wiggles,
Oskar

JacksDad said...

Thank you for all of your hard work which made this possible!

Jake of Florida said...

How wonderful to read such good news! You must be bursting with well-deserved joy!!!

Joan

Sagira said...

That is awesome. Keep up the great work! :)

White Dog Blog said...

What a wonderful post that brings hope and tears of joy! Thanks for not giving up or taking the easy route! You...and so many in your county...are truly heroes!

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Bravo!!!

My fluffy tail salutes your part of The Mitten State!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

♥I am Holly♥ said...

That is absolutely the best news I have heard lately!! Congratulations on being a part of something so big that was turned around to a new and much better beginning! I hope that our city follows you! Lots of love, Debbie and Holly

Two French Bulldogs said...

awesome!
Benny & Lily

Angus said...

Well done !

Arran, Arthur and Mum said...

wow! What a great achievement! You should be very proud!

ForPetsSake said...

What a wonderful thing you've done! Your actions will help save so many in the future! You're right - never give up!

♥Mona + Prissy + Angel Weenie♥ said...

Pawsome!!

Many thanks for being a part of this mielstone and God Bless bith you and Holly for all you do.

Sarah, The Mommy

KT and Easton said...

Bravo, that is an incredible accomplishment. More of that is needed everywhere in the U.S. Dogs and cats are not crops.
That is a tough mind set to change. You all are to be commended for your great work.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

my Mimi
thank you for sharing this news with us,
love
tweedles