Grants Given to Michigan Animal Shelters Through Animal Welfare Fund

From MDARD

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is recognizing National Pet Month—a month where the important role pet’s play in the lives of many Michiganders can be celebrated. Grants through MDARD’s Animal Welfare Fund help Michigan’s registered animal shelters care for and support homeless animals who are waiting for the opportunity to make an impact on someone’s life.

According to statistics derived from the American Veterinary Medical Association, Michigan is home to approximately 2.4 million dogs and 1.8 million cats; and some of these animals are in one of Michigan’s 201 registered animal shelters, waiting to become someone’s beloved pet.

The Animal Welfare Fund is supported by charitable Michiganders during tax season when they check the fund’s box on Form 4642, Voluntary Contributions Schedule, on their state tax returns. 

BARK Rangers Protect & Serve On National Lakeshore Beaches

There’s a certain group of uniformed rangers at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore who are usually met with respect, interest — and cuddles. Of course, we’re talking about the BARK Rangers, the four-legged dogs and their two-legged owners who help patrol the lakeshore and remind visitors of the park’s pet policies.

The team of BARK volunteers — about 15 pups strong, coordinated by the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes — to help protect the fragile and federally protected piping plover population in the park. An important job that comes with puppy kisses, wet paws and wagging tails, says Carly Maki, BARK program volunteer.

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Acme Township Could Suspend Traverse City Horse Shows For Summer 2022

Will Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS) be allowed to proceed with its summer 2022 events?

While the popular equestrian festival has weathered the pandemic without event cancellations or shutdowns, an escalating dispute with Acme Township could leave event organizers scrambling save their upcoming season. Acme Township announced Thursday it was giving TCHS an ultimatum: Resolve all zoning violations or face a complete suspension of operations. That announcement comes just 27 days ahead of when TCHS is set to kick off its 13-week summer 2022 season.

The township sent a letter to TCHS on May 9 informing the organization’s attorneys of the “impending suspension” if violations are not resolved. “If TCHS does not satisfy the conditions stipulated in the special use permit prior to beginning of the 2022 TCHS season, Acme Township will issue an order to cease and desist all TCHS operations in violation of its zoning ordinance,” the letter stated.

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Scott MacKenzie, a Perfect Fit for the Charlevoix Area Humane Society, Leads Shelter to Be a No-Kill Facility

From Michigan Pet Alliance, By Jeanne Towar

Little did Scott MacKenzie know that attending a going-away party for the retiring executive director of the Charlevoix Area Humane Society (CAHS) would dramatically change his life.  

MacKenzie was serving on the search committee to hire a new executive director for CAHS and also looking for someone to chair the marketing committee. He and Alice Marshall, a CAHS board member who also served on the search committee, chatted about that at a party.

“I said I was hoping he would chair the marketing committee,” Marshall said. “Instead he became our executive director after the candidate we had selected declined the position. Hiring Scott turned out to be the best decision we could have made.

“He knows so many people and is deeply involved in our community,” she added. “He is always willing to step up to whatever he can do for the animals.

“He has done a fabulous job. He never says no, but always says, ‘let’s try it.’ He puts himself out there and stirs up the kind of love and caring for our animals that’s so important for a shelter director,” Marshall concluded.

Even though MacKenzie had little training in running an animal shelter, he grew up in a family that was always passionate about animals. There were always at least two dogs, a cat, sometimes gerbils, ducks, roosters and even a potbellied pig in his home. His mom served on the board of directors of the humane society in the town where he grew up.

Fads or Feasible? The Debate Over No-Leash Training, No Vaccines, and the Raw Meat Diet

by Ryan Goodchild

Dog owners are conditioned to register shock whenever someone asserts the idea that off-leash training and not vaccinating a dog are good ideas. The leash is, after all, a cornerstone of canine discipline and training, while vaccines are designed to help keep our dogs healthy and happy. 

We’re also accustomed to relying on commercial dog foods that combine meats, grains and other substances, and being suspicious of anyone who would suggest that a raw meat diet is acceptable for our dogs. However outlandish such suggestions might seem, there are positive and negative aspects to each of these assertions … enough to make many pet owners revisit long-held assumptions about what’s best for dogs. There’s certainly nothing wrong with looking for any way to help our furry friends live longer, healthier lives and remain part of the family for as long as possible. 

To leash or not to leash

The debate over what’s best for a dog has brought the question of leash versus no-leash training to the forefront. In fact, the no-leash approach has become something of a trend, not just a fad. If you’ve been considering a no-leash approach, make sure you do your homework and get all the facts before deciding on what’s best for your pet. Using a leash is seen by many as a way to instill obedience and obtain acquiescence to your authority. 

However, some owners insist that an over-dependence on the leash makes dogs tense and unable to enjoy the experience of going for a walk. Some contend that removing the leash builds mutual trust and develops better companionship, which is the kind of relationship many dog owners prefer. Another argument is that removing the leash allows dogs to do some roaming and exploring, which helps tire them out and prevents outbreaks of negative behavior stemming from boredom, such as excessive barking or damaging furniture. Maintaining the leash, the counterpoint goes, prevents dogs from getting into vegetation that could be harmful and reduces the likelihood that they’ll come home with ticks. 

If you decide to try a no-leash relationship with your dog, begin by doing so indoors. Then, you can move to your backyard. If you don’t have a fence around your yard, now’s a wonderful time to add one. This way, you won’t have to worry about your dog running off while you’re training. Instead of doing this yourself, search for “fencing near me” to find professionals in your area. Read reviews and get a few quotes before making a decision. 

Central Lake Woman Charged With Second Felony After Death of a Dog

A Central Lake woman was in court again Tuesday morning on charges for one count felony animal killing and torturing.

Brooklyn Beck, 28, was arrested last week on a warrant from Grand Traverse County on an incident in which she provided a grooming service at a business in Blair Township to a 10-12 year old Shih Tzu, and then the dog later died. Click here for the rest of the story.