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We have many wonderful pets here at the shelter waiting for their forever home. Some stories are so special they deserve a little extra thought to "pause and consider."
Chance is giving back to others while he waits to find his forever home… |
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All of our pets here at the Humane Society are special and all have their unique stories to tell, but some have exceptional qualities that may go unnoticed unless we take time to share them. Chance is one of our extra special pets who is giving back to others while he patiently waits to find his own forever home. Chance is a Border Collie / Husky mix who has captured the hearts of our staff and volunteers. Because of his gentle and caring nature, one of our v Chance seems to know that when he gets to put on his special bandana, he has an important job to do. Chance is always welcomed at the Northfield Place nursing home in Whitmore Lake. He already seems to know what to do when he gets there. He follows the aide around looking in the rooms to see if there is someone who needs a little companionship… and there usually is. The residents at the nursing home look forward to visiting with Chance and share their stories of dogs they used to have. This is a win - win situation for Chance and the residents at Northfield Place to share some special time and affection, but this loving, giving dog deserves a home and family of his own.
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Chance LOVES people and is good with children, but would be happiest in a home where he does not have to share attention with any other pets. He is very smart and enjoys playing with interactive dog puzzles. He is also completely house trained, walks nicely on a leash, and has very good manners! |
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olunteers thought he would make a great pet to visit a local nursing home to brighten up everyone's day, including his own… and that is exactly what he has been doing every week for the past couple months! 
| Adopt a Shelter Cat, Enrich Your World | ||
We invite you to visit our shelter to see the many adorable, adoptable cats hoping to find their forever homes. We have cats of all colors, ages and purr-sonalities, even some purebreds, waiting to meet you… some are sweet and shy and would love to curl up on your lap… others are very playful and ready to entertain you … each of them are deserving of a very special home and family to love. All of our felines available for adoption have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and micro chipped. You can click here to Search Our Adoptable Cats but, the best way to discover your new best friend is to come spend time with us! Adopting a shelter cat will enrich your world… Learn More>> Cat owners will also find lots of helpful information and videos on http://PetFinder.com/cats. Hope to see you soon! |
Bluebelle and other small breed dogs rescued by our Livingston community
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Imagine living every day of your life with filth surrounding you. This was the life for several small-breed dogs that were recently rescued from a hoarding situation in Livingston County. The literally voiceless animals, some had been de-barked, were used to satisfy the greed of a human who, rather than seeing them as living breathing beings, treated them as a means to make money. Their previous owner is now facing animal cruelty charges. The dogs, although very friendly, were obviously deprived of medical attention or care for quite some time. Some dogs tested positive for heart worm disease and some, whose skin was so badly inflamed and infected, were hesitant to be touched. The dogs were removed from the home by Livingston County Animal Control officers and some were transferred to our shelter for adoption. While some have been adopted, there are still a few waiting for their forever homes. |
| Although the dogs were clearly neglected, they are all very sweet and happy! They have been spayed/neutered, groomed, and brought up-to-date with routine shots. They are now ready for adoption and looking for patient owners who are willing to help them transition from their previous "puppy mill" environment into a loving home. Please consider adopting one of these very deserving dogs into your home so they, too, can enjoy a better life. Read article>> |
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Eleanor |
Leo - Adopted! |
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Six - Adopted! |
Molly |
Fanny, a near tragedy turned lucky for this sweet kitty!
Update: Fanny is ADOPTED!
Fanny’s near tragic story has a happy ending that can only be made better by finding her a home! The beginning of her life is unknown to those of us at the Humane Society. Fanny could have been someone’s indoor/outdoor cat or perhaps she was a true stray who was just trying to survive on her own. She was not micro-chipped and any collar that may have been on her would have been cut off by the fan belt that nearly decapitated her. Lucky for Fanny, a Good Samaritan saw her on the side of the road and picked her up. Not knowing exactly what to do for her, he drove to a vet clinic, but it was already closed for the night. Obviously, the cat needed immediate care, so he decided to bring Fanny to us.
When she was first seen by a vet, it was uncertain whether or not she would survive. In fact, it was nothing less than a miracle that she’d made it that far. We were all, of course, rooting for this sweet cat who, despite her intense pain, still managed to purr and knead her little paws when she was being examined. Fanny required approximately forty sutures to close her gaping wounds plus a drain tube to ensure she would heal without the risk of deep infections. She came through it all with flying colors and showers of affection for all the caring people who helped to rescue her!
Fanny has been receiving lots of love and attention here at our shelter while she recuperated, but now she needs a home of her own. Fanny is estimated to be between 1 ½ - 3 years of age. She has been spayed, micro-chipped, and has current vaccines. She can be a little shy if there’s a lot of commotion, so would do best in a home with older kids and no rambunctious pets. Fanny LOVES attention and would make a wonderful feline friend!
Fanny is an example of how HSLC goes above and beyond for a pet. Sadly, at other animal organizations a cat like Fanny would have been euthanized. To help HSLC care for more pets like Fanny, learn more about How You Can Help or click on the Donate Now button below to donate securely on line using PayPal.
Update: Black Jack is ADOPTED!
For those of you following Black Jack’s story, we are happy to report he is doing very well and ready to find his new home! The photo on the left was taken shortly after Black Jack arrived at our shelter. After receiving medical treatment at our shelter the past couple months, he is making great progress to recover from skin infections due to mange and his fur is growing back nicely as he is very happy to show you in the updated photo on the right ->
Black Jack is a Black Lab & Shepherd mix. He is approximately a year old, house trained, neutered, and up-to-date with routine shots. He is a very exuberant, young dog and loves to play as you can see by the recent photo below! Black Jack will need continued medical treatment until his mange is fully under control. The HSLC will provide this to his adoptive owner at no cost to be administered from home.
Read his full story below…
Black Jack's owner moved up to Michigan after losing her home down south. She brought with her an autistic daughter plus two dogs one of which was Black Jack. They'd been staying in a motel but they would no longer allow Black Jack to stay. You see, his mange had gotten so bad that his skin had developed small pockets of infection not to mention that he looked very unsightly. The motel was concerned that if potential guests caught sight of Black Jack that they may lose business. Black Jack had to go.
When Black Jack arrived at the HSLC shelter we knew we had to take him in. If he'd been refused and had to go to an animal control facility he surely would have been destroyed. Black Jack didn't seem to be any worse for the wear and was an exuberant and playful young dog! Taking Black Jack in would mean a lengthy stay at the shelter to treat his mange plus he would need to be neutered and up to date on his vaccines. Black Jack's mange is the type that is not contagious to other animals or to people. It is called Demodectic Mange. Treatment can vary based on resources available and also the severity of the mange. Because
Black Jack's case is rather extreme, we started his treatment right away. Almost immediately, we saw improvement in the infections and the overall appearance of Black Jack's skin. Relief was on the way for this poor dog who'd likely suffered from being uncomfortable for quite some time.
Black Jack is an example of how HSLC goes above and beyond for a pet. Sadly, at other animal organizations a dog like Black Jack would have been euthanized. To make a donation to help care for Black Jack and others like him, please donate now.
Paws to Consider. is your Dog Protected from Heartworm?
The old saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". This is certainly true when it comes to preventing heartworm in dogs. We live in an area that has a large population of mosquitoes. Where there are mosquitoes there is heart worm disease in dogs as well as cats. Until recently, heartworm was only diagnosed in dogs. Veterinarians are now recognizing that cats, too, can become infected. The current approach to treatment varies between the species, however, and prevention is still more common for dogs than cats.
The only way an animal can become infected with heartworm disease is by being bitten by an infected mosquito. Once bitten, it takes about 7 months for the larvae to mature into adult heartworms. For dogs, the typical signs include a cough, decreased activity, and in advanced cases abnormal lung sounds. Initially there are no signs so it is very important to make sure your dog is tested before starting the preventative. It is not advisable to give heartworm preventative to a positive dog. Puppies under the age of 6 months can safely be given heartworm preventative without a heartworm test. Dogs over the age of 6 months should be tested initially and immediately started on heartworm preventative. Treatment of the disease is far more costly than the preventative not to mention that the treatment can often be hard on an animal. The HSLC encourages all dog owners to get their dogs tested and get them started on heartworm preventative right away.
There's no time like the present. The HSLC offers clinics several times each month at various locations. Please check our Event Calendar for exact locations, dates, and times.
Chance. Found the Love of His Life! |
The HSLC volunteers and staff noticed that Chance had started to become a bit harder to handle. It's no wonder. he'd been homeless for so long and desperately wanted and needed a family of his own. It was during this time that a small group of volunteers at the HSLC implemented a program to work with our in-house dog trainer to add additional physical and mental stimulation for those dogs whose temperaments or breeds demanded more. Chance was just one of the dogs that this group worked with to improve his quality of life while at our shelter and increase his chances for adoption. Then, finally the day came. Chance was going to be given his chance at a new life! A woma We are pleased to report that Chance continues to thrive in his new home. His adoptive family couldn't be happier. They hope others will read this story and be inspired to find an animal to adopt at the HSLC! You can read more about Chance in his new home on our Happy Tails page .>> And, we hope you'll keep in mind, this very special success story about Chance who had been waiting an extra long time to find his forever home! Here are just a few other special pets who have been waiting an extra long time to find you! |
Chance is a very special success story for the HSLC! He arrived at the shelter back in December of 2008 as a stray. Not much was known about his history at that time, but he seemed to be a friendly enough dog. Chance was temperament tested and, overall, did well, but his intimidating look, black color and the fact that he was a Pit Bull mix would likely hinder his chances of finding a home quickly. As the days went on, we all remained hopeful that Chances' forever home would come soon, but the days turned into weeks which turned into months. It seemed poor Chance was being overlooked for dogs that were traditionally thought of as family pets, the Labs and Beagles and smaller mixes. 
n walked into the shelter and browsed the dogs available for adoption. When she expressed interest in Chance we were all elated, but also apprehensive. You see, she already had a senior dog at home and there were some dogs that Chance just would not accept. With her approved application and her eagerness to adopt Chance, we knew we had to do whatever was necessary to make this a success! Chance met his future "brother" a couple of times in a controlled situation before the final decision to adopt was made. Chance seemed to respect his "older brother" and maybe knew that he'd better be on his best behavior in order to be adopted! Well, Chance made a very favorable impression as expressed by his new adoptive owner: "When interacting with Chance it was apparent that he is intelligent, friendly, social, quick to pick up new information and devoted to the individuals who interacted with him on a daily basis." |
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Dusty - Adopted! |
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Nika - Adopted! |
Sedona - Adopted! |
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Max - Adopted! |
Violet - Adopted! |
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Kit - Adopted! |
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Now Find the Love of Your Life! 
Stop by the shelter or click here to view all of our pets on PetFinder >>
Leaf
Leaf, named because he had to be resuced from a commercial leaf blower. He was rescued by a local vet clinic who had to take apart the mechanics of the blower just to get him out! Leaf was probably a stray that showed up at the barn and was trying to keep warm inside the blower. He is afraid still but has recovered from his incidient and is looking for his forever home.
Kitten Season - We Need Foster Homes
Each spring we receive an influx of kittens who not only need homes but need nurturing in foster care before they can be adopted. For many, spring offers a hopeful spirit and a chance for new beginnings; the grass which lay dormant during the winter months starts to show signs by turning from brown to green; a colorful tulip bulb emerges through what's left of winter's snow; those birds who migrated to warmer climates appear suddenly almost as if they had never left. For those in animal rescue, however, spring often leads to less-hopeful thoughts.
"Kitten season" begins as soon as the first signs of spring are revealed. This marks the time of year when cats give birth, resulting in unwanted litters too large to even enumerate. "Kitten season" starts in spring, peaks in late spring or early summer, and ends in fall. Rescue groups who take in cats and kittens prepare as best they can for the homeless felines who'll enter through their doors.
According to statistics, a fertile cat can produce 3 litters in one year's time. In each litter, an average number of 4 to 6 kittens are born. This means that one female can produce 12 to 18 kittens per year. In seven years then, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats! In every community, there is an over-abundance of unsterilized cats mating. The easiest way to help reduce the disturbing number of unwanted cats is to spay and neuter your own animals and encourage others to do the same.
The HSLC is currently looking for experienced, compassionate, caring, dedicated individuals to foster for us.
Our biggest need for foster homes is for kittens/cats that are ill or otherwise unable to stay at the shelter. For instance, orphan kittens, nursing moms with babies, or any kitten under the age of 8 weeks are too small to be in a shelter environment. Usually, healthy adult animals do not need to be fostered but, at times, it does become necessary to look for a temporary alternative to a shelter environment.
The HSLC will provide the necessary supplies needed to care for the animals; all you provide is your home, time and lots of TLC!
If you are interested in fostering for the HSLC, please contact Sarah at sarah@humane-livingston.org for more information.
Last Updated 07/03/10