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Grand Opening of the New No-Kill Pet Adoption Center in Wyandotte, Michigan

March 26, 2012 in Get Local, Michigan by Jillian at Tails

Photo credit: Michael Burkey

Shelter to Home Animal Rescue Group celebrates it¹s 5 year anniversary with the Grand Opening of it¹s new No-Kill Pet Adoption Center on Saturday, March 24th. Shelter to Home obtained the property located at 266 Oak St, a Victorian House built in 1874, this past fall, and has since been undergoing renovations to alter the building in to to a state licensed shelter.

Shelter to Home President, Shelley Bawol said, “Opening the Pet Adoption Center has been our goal since 2007. Thanks to generous donors and grants, we finally made our dream a reality.”

The Shelter to Home Pet Adoption Center¹s Grand Opening welcomes all from the public, on Saturday the 24th from 12pm to 5pm. The public may bring a photo of their pet for entry into a time capsule. Tours of the center will be given, and adoptable animals will be available for viewing.

A donation can be made via Shelter to Home¹s website or may be mailed to: Shelter to Home, Inc. 266 Oak St. Wyandotte, MI 48192. All donations are tax deductible, and will be used to continue to fund the new Pet Adoption Center. Read the rest of this entry →

Tags: animal rescue, no-kill shelter, Shelter to Home
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by Jillian at Tails

Michigan State’s Wonderdog Zeke II Crosses the Rainbow Bridge

February 13, 2012 in Featured, Home, Michigan by Jillian at Tails

Photo credit: Lansing State Journal

As an animal lover I am proud to have attended Michigan State University, with their top notch veterinary school and their commitment to animal care and welfare. One of the best-loved dogs at MSU has to be Zeke II, the frisbee catching, high flying, lovable Black Labrador / Pointer mix who performed before all of the home football games.

We recently got the news that Zeke II, who was known as Dexter, crossed the rainbow bridge on Saturday. Zeke II was 16 years old.

From 2001-2007, Zeke II entertained thousands of Spartan faithful and is a memorable part of many Spartans’ college experience.

Jim and Terri Foley, pet parents to Zeke II, also care for the current fan-favorite Zeke III who is a Golden Retriever.

(Scroll down to see a photo tribute to Zeke II)

Read the rest of this entry →

Tags: Michigan State University, MSU, Zeke the Wonder Dog
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by Jillian at Tails

Open-Heart Surgery No Longer Just for Humans

January 25, 2012 in Featured, Home, Michigan by Jillian at Tails

MSU performs first open heart surgery on a dog Last fall Michigan State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital performed the first successful canine open-heart surgery on a dog named Leo who suffered from a dysplastic mitral valve. When Leo was a puppy a valve in his heart did not form properly during development and resulted in improper closure and fluid congestion of the lungs.

Augusta Pelosi, a cardiac surgeon with the College of Veterinary Medicine, along with more than 20 veterinary and human health experts specialize in critical cardiology care, created a world-class team of experts who perform the rare surgery on companion animals.

“The only way to fully correct many cardiac defects is to target the problem itself with open-heart surgery,” said Pelosi.

Pelosi’s first success story – with hopefully many more in the future – is Leo, a 2-year-old Australian Shepherd from Ann Arbor. Post surgery Leo is back to his normal playful self – chasing balls, chewing toys, and barking at friends.

“There is a perception that heart surgery does not work for animals,” Pelosi said. “We have the need, we have the skills and we have the ability to do it successfully.”

For more information about the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and the services at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, go to http://cvm.msu.edu/.

Tags: augusta pelosi, michigan state, open heart surgery for dogs
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by Jillian at Tails

Saving Ace: Animal Lovers Rally in an Attempt to Save an Emaciated Pit Bull in Detroit

November 9, 2011 in Home, Michigan by Jillian at Tails

Saving Ace Detroit Meet Ace. This poor, little, emaciated pit bull type dog was found in the lobby of an Ace hardware store in Detroit last Friday. He was picked up by Detroit Animal Control which operate sunder a Detroit law that says they must hold him for four days unless the owner retrieves him. After that, he will be euthanized because adoption of pit bulls type dogs to non-owners are not allowed in the city.

Ace’s story has spread quickly via the web. A Facebook page was created and has more than 11,200 likes (it had 7,300 last night) . An online petition was also put up.

People from as far as Norway have been contacting the Detroit City Council asking them to spare Ace’s life.

Animal lovers also flooded a Detroit City Council meeting on Tuesday, urging members to intervene on behalf of a stray pit bull scheduled to be euthanized on Friday.

So why all of this outcry for one single, innocent pit bull in a city where there are an estimated 50,000 – 10,000 stray dogs running loose?

For starters, there are animal rescuers ready, willing and able to take Ace and rehabilitate him back to health. These are certified, trained dog lovers who have reached out to take a personal interest in helping Ace. Groups such as Detroit Dog Rescue and K9 Strays have offered to provide Ace with immediate medical care, but state law and city policy are standing in the way of action that may save the dog’s life.

Read the rest of this entry →

Tags: Breed Specific Legislation, Detroit, Detroit Dog Rescue, Pit Bulls, saving ace
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by Jillian at Tails

Detroit Dog Rescue Provides Hope to the City’s Forgotten

August 24, 2011 in Animal Adoption, Home, Michigan by Jillian at Tails

Detroit is one of those great cities who has had the wind knocked out of them. And while there are many positive things happening in and around the city to help rebuild and revitalize the community, there is a group of residents who have been forgotten. In a city where there are an estimated 50,000 stray dogs running loose and only 23 animal control officers, there is only word to describe the people who have stepped up to help these abandon animals…Heroes.

One of the groups at the forefront of raising awareness and providing help for the unwanted animal population in Detroit is the Detroit Dog Rescue (DDR).

Detroit Dog Rescue was born in February 2011 after the City of Detroit refused to allow access to a network television series that would have documented the lives of dogs trying to survive in an urban environment. There is a stray dog epidemic in the city, just as there is in many cities across the United States that have had to deal with economic decline, dwindling populations, and abandoned buildings. The founders of Detroit Dog Rescue felt that if other animal lovers around the world could see what they saw on the streets of Detroit every day, they knew that they would help them make a difference in the city, one dog at a time.

Detroit Dog Rescue is focused on raising awareness for the plight of these forgotten animals. They also rescue and place abused, unwanted, and abandoned companion and stray dogs. Detroit Dog Rescue does not have a shelter at this time, and they need to raise a significant amount of money in order to open one. Without a shelter, Detroit Dog Rescue must rely on a network of foster homes and friends to house the dogs they rescue. Detroit Dog Rescue also specializes in community outreach, educating the residents of the importance of spay/neuter, how to properly care for their pet and keep them healthy and safe, and offering free food and supplies to residents in need. They work closely with local, city and statewide organizations in order to educate and involve people in this cause.

Detroit Dog Rescue has been featured on CNN, NBC Nightly News, and MSNBC.

Last week Detroit Dog Rescue sponsored a Free Spay and Neuter Day in which more than 109 Detroit dogs were spayed or neutered. In addition, more than 60 animals received low-cost vaccinations due to Detroit Dog Rescue’s partnership with All About Animals.

Detroit Dog Rescue’s mission is to open the first no-kill shelter in the Detroit, and they need your help. Detroit Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, non-profit 501(c)3 organization. To learn more about the amazing dedication and work of Detroit Dog Rescue or to donate visit them on Facebook and connect with them on Twitter @313dogrescue.

Tags: Detroit, Detroit Dog Rescue, Michigan
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by Tails Magazine

The 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards: MICHIGAN

November 3, 2010 in Michigan, November 2010 by Tails Magazine

We asked Tails readers to vote for the best animal-related services and products for our 10th annual Readers’ Choice awards, and boy, did they come through!

Without further ado, here are your Michigan favorites:

BEST VET

WINNER:
Howell Animal Hospital
(517) 546-1340
HowellAnimalHospital.com

RUNNER-UP:
Angel Animal Hospital
(248) 615-6500
AngelAnimalHospital.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Waverly Animal Hospital
Roose Animal Hospital
Miller Animal Clinic

BEST DOG WALKING/SITTER SERVICE

WINNER:
Lansing Companion Animal Services
(517) 256-5751
LansingCompanionAnimalServices.com

RUNNER-UP:
Doggy Daycare and Spa
(517) 333-9663
DoggyDaycareAndSpa.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Canine College
Animal Nannies
For Pets Sake

BEST PET BOUTIQUE

WINNER:
Canine College
(248) 427-8245
CanineCollegeMI.com

RUNNER-UP:
The Barking Lot Pet Salon
(517) 517-7387
BarkingLotPetGrooming.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Annabelle’s Pet Station
Long Leash on Life

BEST PET PHOTOGRAPHER

WINNER:
Slobbery Kisses Photography
(517) 775-0334
SlobberyKisses.com

RUNNER-UP:
Cheryl Melamed
(248) 661-4411

OTHER FAVORITES:
Paw Prints by Patti
Pizzoferrato Photography
Angela Bouler

BEST PET-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

WINNER:
Cones and Bones
(517) 321-1520
ConesAndBones.biz

RUNNER-UP:
Doyle’s
(734) 207-9656
DoylesTavern.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Biggby Coffee
Lu and Carls

BEST GROOMER

WINNER:
The Barking Lot Pet Salon
(517) 517-7387
BarkingLotPetGrooming.com

RUNNER-UP:
Canine College
(248) 427-8245
CanineCollegeMI.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Barb Salvadore
Your Dirty Dog Pet Grooming

BEST OVERNIGHT BOARDING/DOGGIE DAYCARE

WINNER:
Canine College
(248) 427-8245
CanineCollegeMI.com

RUNNER-UP:
Doggy Daycare and Spa
(517) 333-9663
DoggyDaycareAndSpa.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Halliday’s Pet Resort
Animal Nannies

BEST AGILITY INSTRUCTOR

WINNER:
Four Legged Rascals
(248) 515-4879
FourLeggedRascals.com

RUNNER-UP:
Janet Smith
(517) 349-0502
JanetaSmith.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Canine City Canine Agility Club
Raissa Hinman
Northfield Dog Training

BEST POOPER SCOOPER

WINNER:
The Pet Nanny
(734) 981-6108
Pet-Nanny.com

RUNNER-UP:
Jackie Gullck

BEST PET BAKERY

WINNER:
Cosmo’s Canine Bakery
(517) 552-7865
CosmosBakery.com

RUNNER-UP:
Three Dog Bakery
(734) 453-9663
ThreeDog.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Cones and Bones
Doggie Dell

BEST DOG PARK

WINNER:
Soldan’s Dog Park
LansingDogParks.com

RUNNER-UP:
Lyon Oaks Bark Park
(248) 437-1488

OTHER FAVORITES:
Canine Corral
Grand Haven
Northern Tail Park

BEST DOG TRAINER

WINNER:
Four Legged Rascals
(248) 515-4879
FourLeggedRascals.com

RUNNER-UP:
Janet Smith
(517) 349-0502
JanetaSmith.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Kerri Czernel
Dawn Pizzoferrato
Carol Hein-Cregor

BEST DOG FOOD

WINNER:
Taste of the Wild
(800) 977-8797
TasteOfTheWildPetFood.com

RUNNER-UP:
Wellness
(800) 225-0904
WellnessPetFood.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Blue Buffalo
Orijen
Natural Balance

BEST CAT FOOD

WINNER:
Orijen
(780) 939-6888
Orijen.ca

RUNNER-UP:
Natural Balance
(800) 829-4493
NaturalBalanceInc.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
California Natural
Halo
Purina One

BEST DOG TREATS

WINNER:
Old Mother Hubbard
OldMotherHubbard.com

RUNNER-UP:
Iams Biscuits
(800) 675-3849
Iams.com

OTHER FAVORITES:
Bully Sticks
Cosmo’s Shayna’s Peanut Butter Cookies
Milkbone

BEST CAT TREATS

WINNER:
Halo
(800) 426-4256
HaloPets.com

RUNNER-UP:
Catnip

OTHER FAVORITES:
Wysong Pheasant

BEST DOG TOY

WINNER:
Kong
(303) 216-2626
KongCompany.com

RUNNER-UP:
Jolly Ball

OTHER FAVORITES:
Soft Frisbee
Whabakong
Tennis Ball

Tags: 2010 Reader's Choice, Michigan, November 2010, Readers Choice
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by Tails Magazine

Congress Considers Tax-Deduction for Pet Costs

August 27, 2010 in Boston, Central Florida / Orlando, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Indianapolis, Legislation, Los Angeles, Louisville, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, OR, San Antonio, San Jose, St. Louis, Twin Cities, Washington D.C. by Tails Magazine

As many pet-owners know, proper pet-care can be an expensive pursuit. For example, I recently took my cat to the vet to treat a urinary tract infection and managed to rack-up a bill to the tune of almost $200.

Currently, pet care costs are non-tax deductible— but under the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act, individuals could deduct up to $3500 a year for “qualified pet care expenses.”

“HAPPY,” or more specifically, “H.R. 3501,” was introduced by Michigan Representative Thaddeus McCotter, and would cover expenses related to pet care as well as veterinary care, but not the cost of adopting or buying an animal, given that your pet is a “legally owned, domesticated, live animal,” according to The Examiner.

Utilizing the tax code properly not only encourages responsible pet ownership by making it more affordable for pet owners to provide adequate veterinary and other necessary pet care, but also reduces the abandonment and unessesary euthanization of pets by people struggling financially as a result of the economic recession.

You can let your representatives know that you appreciate their efforts to support responsible pet ownership by asking them to consider H.R. 3501 favorably.

This bill is currently being considered by the House Ways and Means Committee.

Tags: Legislation, National News, Taxes
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by Tails Magazine

Pet Pantry of Michigan helps pets in need

July 7, 2010 in Michigan by Tails Magazine

Despite the current economic climate, the Pet Pantry of Michigan has not forgotten about the four-legged members of the family.

Jennifer Stiles, president of the Pet Pantry of Michigan, founded the non-profit organization. It provides free-of-charge pet food and supplies to low-income families, ensuring that the animals live a healthy life and are not forgotten.

Since February 2009, Stiles and her family have helped more than 2,200 animals in the Michigan area. Stiles says they hope to go beyond state borders and help pets and their families in every town, state, and country worldwide.

After receiving help from a food pantry and noticing there was no food or assistance for pets, Stiles was inspired. Even through their own financial struggles, the Stiles created the organization as a family to help those animals in need.

“With our assistance many animals get to remain in their homes with their families, they get food that they might not normally receive,” Stiles says. “They can remain healthy, live long happy lives and will not have to be surrendered to a shelter.”

The Pet Pantry provides food, bowls, bedding, shampoo, collars, blanket, brushes, leashes, treats, toys, medicine, most hygiene products, and crates.

Pets receive enough food for a one-week supply, according to veterinarian standards. Stiles says the organization tries to give the pet the same food that the animal is used too.

The Stiles family helps any pet that is facing hard times. “We believe that every animal deserves to be loved and cared for,” Stiles says. “We help with everything from dogs and cats to snakes and horses. We’ve even helped with hermit crabs.”

Vanessa Reeves, vice president of Pet Pantry, decided to use the organization to help her two cats and three dogs remain healthy and stay in the family. She received enough food and cat litter to help her get through a difficult financial time.

“They provided a sense of hope,” Reeves said. “If I can direct a family to the Pet Pantry instead of taking their furry family member that, to me, is a more positive outcome.”

Pet Pantry accepts donations at their office location 1202 Shettler Rd., Muskegon. They are currently in need of cat litter, kitten food, litter boxes and scoops, flea treatments for dogs and cats, rabbit and gerbil food, horse grain and supplies, fish food, and bedding.

For more information, visit PetPantryMI.org. –Nicole Soszynski