Marquette, Ironwood animal shelters get state awards

The Michigan Pet Fund Alliance announced two U.P. animal shelters are among the state's outstanding shelters for their successes.

The alliance keeps tabs on Michigan's shelter statistics, especially the numbers of animals taken in, adopted or euthanized at each one, and ranks them annually by "save rate," or how many animals are successfully adopted out of the shelter.

The awards were given to shelters in each of five categories for their save rates, improvement over past figures, and their commitment to animals.

In the medium shelter category, for Michigan shelters that take in between 1,000 and 5,000 animals annually, the Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter in Negaunee was awarded the Outstanding Shelter award for its 87 percent save rate.

In the small category, for shelters taking in less than 1,000 animals a year, the Hope Animal Shelter in Ironwood was given the award, with a 100 percent save rate. Both are open admission shelters, meaning they don't turn away any animals for medical or aggression reasons, or refuse to accept animals when they are full.

"Each of this year's winners has shown an incredible commitment to animal welfare, adoption and saving lives," says Deborah Schutt, chair of the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance. "We commend these organizations for setting an example statewide of how we should all treat and care for our homeless animals."

The other award recipients were downstate, with the Outstanding Shelter Award in the large shelter category going to the Humane Society of Huron Valley in Ann Arbor, and the outstanding limited admission shelter award going to the Humane Society of Livingston County, in Howell. The most improved open admission shelter was Oceana County Animal Control in Shelby.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Deborah Schutt, Michigan Pet Fund Alliance
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