Cats Rescued from Traverse City Home Up for Adoption

Nine cats rescued from dangerous living conditions in Traverse City are now looking for loving, new families. Cherryland Humane Society found out about the situation when they were called to the house earlier this month. Inside they found the nine neglected cats, took them in, and nursed them back to health.

Days later the owner of the home passed away. 9&10’s Caroline Powers and photojournalist John Harrington have more details on the role you can play in what comes next for these furry friends. Click here for the rest of the story.

Why Are Detroit Cops Killing So Many Dogs?

A Reason investigation reveals widespread, unchecked violence against pets during drug raids—including two officers who have shot more than 100.

A group of Detroit police officers executing a narcotics search warrant knocked on Nikita Smith’s door on January 14, 2016. The only fact that both Smith and the officers agree on after that point is that, a short while later, Smith’s three dogs were all shot dead. What really happened in the moments between could be a costly question for the city of Detroit. In a federal civil rights lawsuit filed in May, Smith says the Detroit police executed her three pit bulls, Debo, Mama, and Smoke, without provocation. Essentially, they acted as a “dog death squad.”

According the lawsuit, Smith tried to tell the officers she was putting her dogs away, and placed two in the basement and one in the bathroom. As the officers burst into the house, Debo slipped back upstairs. The officers shot it as it sat down by Smith. Next, they charged into the basement and shot Mama, who was pregnant and backed into a corner. Finally, they moved onto the bathroom, where Smoke was closed in. Click here for the rest of the story.

Ask Your State Representative to Support SB 239 to Stop Breed Discrimination

from Make Michigan Next

MICHIGAN VOTERS: Your state rep needs to hear from you now! Please contact your state representative to urge him or her to support SB 239 to eliminate breed discrimination in our state. If you’ve previously emailed them, then please call them. We’ve been working on this bill for more than 2 years and we are SO CLOSE, but we need everyone to take action NOW.

Please assure your representative that you are a Michigan resident and you vote. Our legislators are being inundated by anti-dog people who do not live in Michigan, but who are fraudulently posing as residents.

Use this link to send an email or find the phone number for your rep today. And please SHARE. https://secure2.convio.net/bfas/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=323

Cherryland Humane Society Wins Thanksgiving Feast for Shelter Pets

from the Merrick Pet Care Facebook page

The Best Thanksgiving Ever goes to Cherryland Humane Society in Traverse City, Michigan! Their cats & dogs will get a healthy, nutritious Merrick Thanksgiving feast to enjoy this season. Our winning nomination came from Rebekah T. of Traverse City:

“Cherryland Humane Society is a great shelter with wonderful and dedicated volunteers who have the animal’s well-being first in their minds. From the dog walkers to the volunteers who clean the cat kennels, they are great people and the animals are 100% deserving of this prize.”

Special thanks to Cherryland for sharing these photos of their shelter pets! See all the nominations & learn more about shelters & rescues in your area: http://bit.ly/2fALSuu

Leelanau County K-9 Donation Program Back Up and Running

The Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office K-9 donation fund is back accepting funds to be used in supporting their K-9 program. Any funds collected will be used for routine maintenance cost for their current K-9 “Nico” and for expenses in the future when “Nico” retires and the need for a new K-9 arises. The routine maintenance costs running a K-9 program include veterinary care for “Nico” and occasional boarding costs along with small equipment needs for the dog and the K-9 vehicle. When bringing on a new K-9 the costs are roughly $10,000-$12,000 for the dog and the associated training of the animal and handler.

The Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office is also pleased to announce that a citizen has come forward to pledge matching funds for any money they raise to support their K-9 program up to a $10,000 limit. This was an amazing pledge and one that they hope will help them fund their current program and keep the Agency’s ability to have this great asset in the future.

The Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the support of the Board of Commissioners and the citizens of the County.

Anyone wishing to donate to our K-9 program can follow the attached links to the Leelanau County K-9 Facebook Page or to their “Go Fund Me” page, or donations may also be mailed or dropped off in person to the Sheriff’s Office.

Soldier Feels at Home with Kitten’s Calming Presence

This story is one of 54 finalists for the 2016 Petco Foundation Holiday Wishes campaign. The organization where this pet was adopted will receive a grant award ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. Want to help this organization win big? Head over to the Petco Foundation Facebook page to vote for the People’s Choice Award. By voting, you give the finalist organizations the opportunity to win an additional grant of up to $25,000 to support their lifesaving work! The People’s Choice voting round ends Saturday, December 31 at 11:59 PM CT.

Submitted by: Cory Evans, Little Traverse Bay Humane Society – Harbor Springs, Michigan.

Click here to read the story and vote.

Two Dozen Rescued Shetland Sheepdogs to be Available for Adoption

Two dozen Shetland Sheepdogs will soon be available for adoption after they were rescued from a northern Michigan home in Lake City. Around 26 dogs were rescued from an Ellsworth Township home Sunday afternoon and were taken to The Well-Mannered Dog Center in Grand Rapids. The center says the dogs have been transferred out of state where they will remain in foster care homes for around five weeks. Click here for the rest of the story.

DNA Clears Michigan Service Dog of Guilt for Another Canine’s Death

It’s been a long and exhausting journey towards freedom for a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois named Jeb and the family that wouldn’t stop fighting for him.  According to the Associated Press, over the summer, Jeb—who is a service dog for his owner Kenneth Job of Michigan—was found standing over the body of a neighbor’s deceased Pomeranian. “Authorities said the Pomeranian’s injuries suggest he was picked up and shaken by a larger animal.” Click here for the rest of the story.

Cat Recovering After Found Wrapped in Duct Tape

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY – Investigators are searching for whoever wrapped a cat in duct tape and left it for dead. The male cat, nicknamed Ronnie by Dr. Jane Alexander Krysinski and her staff, was brought into the Grand Traverse Veterinary Hospital by animal control around 2 p.m. Monday. Doctors are estimating Ronnie spent three days wrapped in tape and left bleeding. Click here for the rest of the story.

Cheboygan Man Arrested for Torturing, Killing Beagle Puppy

A 45-year-old Cheboygan man was arrested for beating his own dog to death. Thomas Distasio was arrested and charged with animal cruelty after a witness to the incident called police Sunday, Nov. 6. The witness told police they saw Distasio take his 4-month-old beagle and throw her across the room and into a freezer, UpNorthLive reported. They also said he stomped on and kicked the dog because she had been getting into the trash. Click here for the rest of the story.

Leelanau Sheriff Looks for K9 Donations, Vehicle Purchase Approval

A local police department hopes to sniff out donations to fund its K9 unit. The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners voted at Tuesday’s executive board meeting to forward a request allowing the county sheriff’s department to accept donations for the K9 program — comprised of Deputy Greg Hornkohl and Nico, a 5-year-old German shepherd — to the regular board meeting next Tuesday for a final vote.

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians presented the sheriff’s department with $15,000 from its 2-percent funding allocated annually and generated from electronic gambling revenues. The grant enabled Nico’s purchase, training and other equipment additions to start the K9 unit and but is now nearing depletion, said Sheriff Mike Borkovich.

“We want to keep the program up and running,” said Borkovich.

Click here for the rest of the story.

Harbor Springs Ballot Proposal Could Lead to Deer Park Closure

On the ballot in Harbor Springs is a proposal for whether or not wild animal enclosures should be allowed. If voters decide they don’t want those enclosures, it would shut down the Harbor Springs Deer Park. 9 & 10’s Blayke Roznowski and photojournalist Noah Jurik talked with voters on both sides of the deer park debate.

“I’ve been here almost 40 years and lots and lots of folks get a lot of enjoyment out of the deer park,” Harbor Springs resident Nancy Rondel said. Click here for more about the story.

Osceola County K-9 Receives Bulletproof, Stab Proof Vest

One police dog is safer in the line of duty today after the donation of new safety vest to protect him on the job. Friday, October 21st, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Department K-9, named Ryker, received his vest. The vest is not only bulletproof, but stab proof as well. The Riley MacKenzie Fund is a group that helps with stray and abandoned animals in need. Click here for more on the story.

Northern Michigan Veterinary Hospital Raises Funds to Help Florida Humane Society Damaged During Hurricane Matthew

photo credit: NMVH Facebook page

The Peck Family of the Northern Michigan Veterinary Hospital and their clients raised over $1300 to rebuild a play yard for the Humane Society of St. Lucie County in Florida after it was destroyed during Hurricane Matthew when a 60-year-old tree fell into their yard. The play yard was an area that was set up so that potential adopters could play with and get to know the animals at the shelter.

photo credit: St. Lucie Humane Society

After seeing the story about the play yard, the Peck kids decided to raise money and supplies to help the damaged Humane Society. They created posters and asked everyone to fill a suitcase with items they could take on a plane.

Students Create Mural for Otsego County Animal Shelter

The Otsego County Animal Shelter has been beautified! According to the shelter, these wonderful ladies from the 6th hour, Studio Art class at Gaylord High School came up with the idea of a mural and made it happen. They have been working on it for a couple weeks now and it looks fabulous.

It was not complete at time of picture but a new photo will be posted soon on the shelter’s Facebook page here. 

Pictured in the photo L.-R…..Savannah Roemer, Katie Brand, Nicole Czarniecki, Robin Deisig

Thousands of Dollars Raised for Benzie County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit

Thousands of dollars were raised for the Benzie County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit. The Sheriff’s Office says between multiple cash donations and fundraising community dinners, a total of $16,000 was raised for the K9 unit.

photo credit: Benzie County Sheriff’s Office

Sgt. Mark Ketz and his K9 partner, Rexo, have completed their training. Rexo’s first shift was on Sunday. Click here for the rest of the story.

Wexford County Animal Control Officer Arraigned in Circuit Court

from Cadillac News

The 41-year-old Wexford County Animal Control officer who was arrested on charges of embezzlement was arraigned in 28th Circuit Court on October 31st. Michelle Renna Smith, of Marion, stood mute to one count of embezzlement by a public official over $50 for incidents occurring over a roughly three-month span. According to court records, Smith purchased gasoline 12 separate times with county resources for a total of about $543. Prosecutors said Smith made the purchases between March 9 and June 6 in Wexford County. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. Because Smith is a Wexford County employee, Missaukee County Prosecutor Melissa Ransom was appointed as special prosecutor in this case. Click here for the rest of the story.