In our consumer-driven society, individuals expect to be able to purchase any product they desire. However, unlike a Sony Playstation or a box of cereal, a companion animal is a living, breathing being. HSSCM will deny adoption to any individual or family who fails to qualify. The HSSCM Board of Directors recently reviewed and reaffirmed the reasons why individuals may be denied adoption from our facility. The denial of an adoption is a difficult event. Just because an individual is not currently eligible to adopt through our facility doesn’t mean they are a bad person. We encourage you to visit other shelters and see if you can qualify through their process; all shelters have very different rules and regulations. Our first responsibility is always to the animals in our care.

Are you ready to adopt? The first thing to do is to check out our animals, either through petfinder.com or by visiting the shelter. All of our animals have kennel cards which list any requirements or special concerns. We want to ensure the very best fit for the needs of your family and the animals in our care.

Next, you will be asked to fill out an application if you want to see an animal outside of its kennel, no exceptions. You must fill out our application completely. Our application is available on our website, or by stopping at the front desk. If you don’t wish to fill out an application, you are more than welcome to view the animal through the kennel gate. Signed and approved applications will be kept on file for up to one month.

After you complete the application, a staff member will conduct an application review that includes a vet reference check and a personal reference check.

Now, it’s time for the adoption counsel. Only the individuals who live in the household are asked to participate in this initial conversation. Some of the information we will cover includes:

• All of the animal’s medical history that the Humane Society has either performed or is aware of.  Shelter animals may break with diseases or viruses after adoption.
• HSSCM conducts a temperament test, and will provide suggestions on training or plans of action the new family should take in working with their new pet.
• Any containment options required for their new pet.
• The feeding schedule at the shelter, the food we feed and suggestions for how to choose the best dog/cat food.

After we discuss all relevant information and answer all your questions, we will bring your chosen pet into the room. We may also make suggestions for other animals that might be a good fit for your family. Sometimes, a family comes in expecting to take home one particular animal and falls in love with another! Keep an open mind; the best pet isn’t necessarily the one that looks the best, but the one that loves your family the best.

All individuals who live in the house must meet the animal before an adoption can be completed. If you have a dog in your home and are looking to adopt a dog from our shelter, we will need to schedule a match-up compatibility test between the shelter dog and your dog.

If everything checks out, you complete the final adoption contract and paperwork, and pay the adoption fee. All of HSSCM’s animals are fully vaccinated, spayed or neutered and microchipped prior to being available for adoption. You will also receive a starter bag of Science Diet food and an adoption kit that contains all kinds of helpful information. The kit is contained in a handmade keepsake box created by a very special friend of the animals in the shelter.

The process can take anywhere from between one and three hours to complete. Adopting a pet is a lifetime commitment. The adoption process is designed to help ensure the best fit for the animals in our care and your family!

Our goals were to raise community awareness of local animal care and control issues and to educate local officials on important issues facing the animal care and control community. HSSCM will not endorse any candidate, but we want to share the information gleaned from the surveys and conversations with you, our stakeholders.

As of Monday, October 3, HSSCM received completed surveys from the following:

Ward 1:

Ward 2: Lynn Ward Gray*

Ward 3: Sherry Sofia* and Laurie Sullivan*

Ward 4:

Ward 5: Jeff Domenico*

At-large: Susan Baldwin, Johnny Cash*, Andy Helmboldt*, Bill Morris, David Walters*

*denotes candidate came in for a tour and conversation

For the individuals who came in for a tour, we provided a printed copy of Chapter 608 – Animals from the Battle Creek Code of Ordinances (available online here), a copy of our most recent Critter Chronicles newsletter, information on our Low Income Spay and Neuter (LISN) program, and the 2010 Animal Statistics Table for the Calhoun County Animal Center (online available here), as that is the shelter that holds the City contracts for animal control. We talked about our facility, our programs and services, and encouraged them to visit the Calhoun County Animal Center on Union Street.

“Happy pets = happy people = community pride.”
–Andy Helmboldt, on pet-friendly policies

Do you have any pets?
All those who submitted a survey either currently have (or provide care for) a companion animal, or have recently had one or more in the past.  Cash, Helmboldt, Sullivan and Walters all have cats, while Sofia’s cat has passed away. Baldwin, Cash and Gray currently have dogs, while Domenico and Walters have had dogs recently pass away. Morris provides care for the dog of a friend who is ill. Sullivan also has a foster cat in her care, as she volunteers with both Alley Cat Angels and Companion Cats.

Sherry Sofia, candidate for Battle Creek City Commission

“Pet-friendly policies can be important factors contributing to quality of life issues which can, in turn, lead to a more fulfilled workforce.”
–Sherry Sofia, on pet friendly policies

Do you believe issues related to the population of stray dogs and/or cats negatively impact important development strategies in our community?
All candidates noted that stray animals are an issue in our community. Gray noted that in Ward 2, a walkable community is a challenge due to stray animals. Morris noted that abandoned buildings can become shelter for stray animals, and extra effort needs to be made regarding the problem in areas of the city undergoing revitalization. Cash specifically noted that our overpopulation of feral cats can affect the marketability of properties in the city. Sofia noted that animal welfare is a moral issue, and the impact on development strategies is secondary. Baldwin pointed out that the problem, real or imagined, affects both the animals and neighborhood revitalization efforts.

“It’s a social network. Any type of intangible is beneficial.”
–Jeff Domenico, on pet-friendly policies downtown

Do you believe the current municipal animal control budget provides adequate funding for its overall responsibilities?
Almost all candidates noted that the funding for animal control services in the City of Battle Creek is not enough, but acknowledged the difficulty in allocating funds in our current economic climate. Most recognized that the City only has two animal control officers, and those services are not available at night or on weekends. Baldwin noted that the Commission must balance all of the needs of the citizens and the city, and that includes making the most of the resources currently available for animal control.

“The city has only two officers and no one during weekends. How could that possibly address (let alone reduce) this growing problem?”
–Laurie Sullivan, on the current municipal animal control budget

Do you believe that pet-friendly policies, particularly in downtown areas, can be important factors contributing to economic development or a more livable community?
Cash noted it could be difficult to implement pet-friendly areas downtown due to the number of people and large amounts of concrete. Baldwin noted Battle Creek’s leash law and feces-removal ordinances along with owner responsibility. Walters suggested that pet-friendly policies should not just be limited to downtown, and specifically mentioned Willard Beach. Morris has been working to create a dog park within the city limits. Sofia noted that pet-friendly policies can contribute to quality of life issues.

“I am glad that the budget for animal control is still in place. I do wish we could expand the hours of operation.”
–David Walters, on the current municipal animal control budget

How would you handle the feral or stray cat overpopulation problem in our community?
Sofia noted the importance of promoting adoption programs, and that the problem will only truly be solved when owners spay and neuter their animals. Baldwin, Cash, Gray and Sullivan discussed trap-neuter-return programs currently operated within the city [however, Alley Cat Angels receives no governmental funding and operate only through donations]. Morris stated stronger regulations to hold individuals accountable for their actions would be helpful.

Lynn Ward Gray, candidate for Battle Creek City Commission

“The health of our community is hampered if you don’t feel safe to walk or be out in your neighborhood due to stray dogs and/or cats, so the development of a vibrant, alive and healthy community is impacted.”
–Lynn Ward Gray, on the population of stray animals in our community

If elected, would you support any form of canine breed restrictions?
The majority of the candidates did not support breed restrictions. Cash expressed concern over the number of pit bulls that are euthanized at Calhoun County Animal Control. Morris wrote that he would support breed restrictions, but did not elaborate. Sullivan turned to humor well-familiar to those who work in animal welfare, suggesting what she’d like to do with individuals who breed, train and sell animals without the compassion, knowledge or skill to do so. Baldwin length of service included the review of a proposed “bully breed” ordinance in 2005; the commission at the time voted to remove the breed-specific language from the ordinance.

Johnny Cash, candidate for Battle Creek City Commission

“No animal should be allowed to suffer at the hands of anyone.”
–Johnny Cash, on stricter penalties for animal abuse

If elected, would you support stricter penalties for animal related offences such as neglect and abuse?
Baldwin noted that Battle Creek was the first community in the state to enact a regulation on chaining dogs, an ordinance she supported. The majority of candidates would support stricter penalties for animal abuse and neglect. Walters suggested that more enforcement of current laws may help.

Susan Baldwin, candidate for Battle Creek City Commission

“As we encourage and plan for more downtown living, we must develop appropriate policies for regulating pets in the urban area. Pets should be welcome as we want to encourage people to live downtown and many will want their beloved companions with them.”
–Susan Baldwin, , on pet-friendly policies downtown

Current commissioners Bill Morris and David Walters both noted the need for the Humane Society to provide more information and education to the Commission on animal welfare issues in our community. We hope that, by inviting in candidates for a two-way conversation, we can continue to affect animal welfare issues in our community. However, talking to individuals prior to an election is just the first step.

Bill Morris, candidate for Battle Creek City Commission

“There needs to be a viable plan to remedy animal overpopulation for the revitalization of neighborhoods that the city is diligently working on.”
–Bill Morris, on the overpopulation of stray animals

The Humane Society will continue to work with local government officials, and will make sure that we share the information we receive with you, our stakeholders. In turn, we ask that you hold your local officials responsible for creating a more pet-friendly community, a society where every pet is a wanted pet. Make yourself knowledgeable on candidates and vote in every election. Write, call or visit your local governmental officials and make sure they know what is important to you regarding animal welfare issues. Together, we can make a difference in our community.

Links to pdf versions of candidate responses on the 2011 Legislative Questionnaire:

Susan Baldwin

Johnny Cash

Jeff Domenico

Lynn Ward Gray

Andy Helmboldt

Bill Morris

Sherry Sofia

Laurie Sullivan

David Walters

There is good news though. From the depths of this struggle an opportunity has risen. This crisis has provided us with the chance to put our collective compassion to work in order to address this very real, and very desperate, situation. The Humane Society of South Central Michigan is offering a Feral Cat Spay/Neuter program which affords concerned citizens the opportunity to take the reins and make a real difference their community by trapping, fixing and re-releasing local feral and barn cats at an extremely discounted rate.

According to a University of California-School of Veterinary Medicine study a single unaltered feral couple can produce up to 781,250 kittens in a seven year span. In response to these numbers and the current crisis we face, the Humane Society of South Central Michigan is willing to provide you with the tools and resources necessary to ensure that our community isn’t overrun with the famished, sick and often hostile offspring of these unaltered animals. The process simple, just follow these three easy steps in order to begin making a difference in the lives of these animals and your community today:

1. Rent a humane-trap from HSSCM for just a $50 deposit and $10 for the first seven days
2. Call or visit HSSCM for more information on scheduling a surgery date for the feral cats in your area. We’re happy to offer this program at an extremely discounted rate of only $40 for female cats and $20 for males.
3. After you’ve scheduled your surgery, captured the cat(s) and the sterilization is complete, simply re-release the feral cat back into the wild to live out the rest of its life in peace.

These three simple steps are all it takes to make a tangible difference in your community as well as protect future generations of cats from the pain and suffering associated with living under these dreadful circumstances. Please call the Humane Society of South Central Michigan today at (269)963-1796 to receive more information on getting started.

Dog fighting isn’t exclusive to big cities with ‘big crime’ problems. Dog fighting is everywhere, and the best tool we have to combat this atrocity in our community is a knowledgeable and attentive citizenry. And the best part about doing your part to prevent dog fighting in your community? You can have a big impact with just a little bit of knowledge.

The next time you’re out-and-about in the community, be on the lookout for the following signals common in dog fighting culture: 

• A curious amount of pit bulls, rottweilers or other such dogs in a particular area
• Locations where dogs are chained or tethered for several hours at a time
• Inordinate groups of unsocialized dogs or pups in one location
• Locations where people are coming and going with dogs at strange hours
• Physical signs of dog fighting, such as scars on a dog’s face, front legs, backside or even torn ears or broken tails on a dog
• Training equipment used in dog fighting, such as canine treadmills, break-sticks (long sticks used to break fighting dogs apart), automobile tires (often misconstrued as ‘toys’, but in reality used to strengthen the canine’s bite), spring-poles (springs chained to trees or other elevated items used to inhibit bite and pull-strength) or any other peculiar items being used as ‘toys’, particularly those being hung from elevated places
• A suspicious number of transport kennels on a property
• Trophies, calendars or other tools used to organize fights or recognize winners
• Suspicious individuals filming their dog(s) ‘playing’ or documenting their dog(s) personal features
• Any household featuring pro-dog-fighting publications such as; The Sporting Dog Journal, Your Friend and Mine, American Game Dog Times, The Scratch Line, Face Your Dogs, The Pit Bull Chronicle, The Pit Bull Reporter, The American Warrior

If you, or someone you know, have become aware of a potential dog-fighting operation avoid all contact with these individuals as they may be dangerous and call your County’s non-emergency hotline right away. In addition to calling the authorities, the Humane Society of South Central Michigan (269-963-1796) and the Humane Society of the United State’s tip-line (1-877-TIP-HSUS) are great sources of information linking you to other resources. Rewards for tips which lead to the successful identification of dog-fighting operations may also be available through the Humane Society of the United States.

-Make sure your dog always has access to water and shade during summer days. Dog houses don’t count, as they tend to trap heat and make your pet more uncomfortable.

-It’s a good idea to fill a child-sized pool with fresh (renewed daily in order to prevent flea larva and algae growth) water for your dog to cool off in during hot summer days while the family is outside.

-Never (ever!) leave your pet in a vehicle during warm weather. The temperature in a car can quickly rise to unbearable levels and in addition to this important health concern it’s often illegal to leave a pet unattended under these conditions.

-Always limit outdoor playtime with your pet to make sure they aren’t getting over-heated or stressed, as many dogs aren’t eager to stop playing in order to cool off.

-Don’t let you shorthair or lightly colored dog stay out in the sun for too long, as they may receive an uncomfortable case of sunburn.

-Fleas, ticks and mosquitoes often carry heartworm disease which could be potentially dangerous or fatal to your pet and are more prevalent during the summer months. Be sure to visit your veterinarian to receive appropriate preventatives.

-Avoid prolonged exposure to hot sand and asphalt which may burn your dog’s paws.

-Brachycephalic (short-faced) dogs such as bulldogs, boxers and pekingese breeds have an especially difficult time in the heat due to their inability to pant efficiently. Be sure short-faced breeds stay in a very cool environment during hot summer days.

These are just a few tips to keep your furry family members comfortable this summer. The best rule of thumb is to use extreme caution whenever your pets are outside during hot summer days. Be sure to call us at (269)963-1796 or check out http://www.akc.org/public_education/summer_safety.cfm for more great tips and information.

Each week HSSCM representatives visit local schools and daycares to teach kindergarten aged children the basics of pet care, from healthy food and water to proper shelter and licensing. The goal of our visits is to leave the children with a lasting impression of what it takes to care for their pets as well as give them the insight necessary to recognize improper care in their home and neighborhood. In addition to educating young minds, our visits also provide a unique opportunity to build strong bonds with our community, a bond we will continue to nurture and appreciate in the coming years.

We have received nothing but enthusiastic support from the educators we have visited and it’s important to remember that without their support, our mission of education would be all but impossible. If you or someone you know are interested in bringing the HSSCM early childhood education program into your child’s classroom or daycare, please call our Program Coordinator at (269)963-1796 x 11.

The good news is there’s a sure-fire way to reconnect you and your pets if they happen to wander–microchips. Upon receiving a stray animal nearly every animal shelter or veterinarian will first check for a microchip. By waiving an electronic wand over the skin of the animal the animal’s rescuer can instantly tell if a tiny microchip is present within the animal and if so, obtain the owners contact info instantly, reuniting the lost animal with its family.

While microchipping utilizes 21^st century technology to reunite families, there is a common misconception that microchipping a pet is a difficult and expensive process. The Humane Society of South Central Michigan offers resQ microchips for only $25. The best part about the microchipping service we offer is that it only takes a few minutes, your pet feels no more pain than a pinprick and it tracking capabilities last forever. From the moment you leave our facility you’ll have the peace of mind that you’ve done everything to protect your four-legged family member in the event they become lost.

You don’t need an appointment to microchip your pet at the Humane Society of South Central Michigan, just visit us at 2500 Watkins Rd. Tuesday-Friday from 12-6, Saturday 11-4 or call us at 963-1796

New at the reception desk is Emily:

Jake is also at the reception desk, in addition to running our volunteer and education programs:

Kristy is our new administrative assistant, working with Melissa:

Josh is our newest kennel technician:

Not pictured here is James, our new maintenance technician.

Please join us in welcoming our new staff members. We also have a new member on our Board of Directors, Steve Walman. There’s always something exciting going on at the shelter…stop out and see us this spring!

Dog Obedience and Dog Tricks classes are taught by certified behaviorist Tim Little. Tim is a certified dog trainer and groomer who was born in Marshall, MI but raised in a military family. His family always had dogs growing up by his real passion for dogs came in his adult life. Tim started the same as most pet owners, raising and training his dogs to sit, toilet outside, and not chew up the house. Everything changed seven years ago when he and his wife rescued an Airedale Terrier. They had never experienced a dog with severe behavioral problems that culminated into aggression. Tim began to look for help from trainers, but found they were leading him to solutions such as choke chains and forcing dogs into submissive positions. These proposed solutions did not help at all and he ultimately had to surrender the dog. Having had his heart broken and feeling frustrated and angry, Tim starting reading and studying dog training and behavior on a serious level and his suspicions were correct. This was not the way to treat the problems this dog had! Tim’s passion for wanting to help dogs like this and owners who may have similar problems lead him to Animal Behavior College. This was a good fit as they focus on positive reinforcement training and behavior modification. The program took about a year and half to complete including an excellent externship training experience at The Dog Zone in Battle Creek, MI and a volunteer program at the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. Tim graduated from the course in May of 2009. He continues to educate himself through books, videos, other professional dog trainers, and experiences with dogs and their owners. Tim owns a grooming and training facility in Albion, MI and hopes to continue to enrich the relationship between pets and their people.

Class start dates (six-week sessions): January 22nd, June 4 and August 13.

Dog Obedience and Dog Tricks classes will be announced shortly.

A good training class is fun for your family and your dog, and creates a family bond that lasts a lifetime. Too many dogs wind up at a shelter because their owners were unable to correct unacceptable behaviors. Often, these issues are easy to modify through basic training.

The registration form is at our website, www.hs-scm.org/canine training, and you can pay for the classes online!