In this issue:

• Member Spotlight: Dog Aide
• Position Statement: Community Outreach
• Legislative Update
• YouTube With Us
• March Member Events

“A group of Dog Aide and Bark Nation volunteers started talking about what we could do to combat overpopulation in Detroit,” said Dog Aide Executive Director Jen Clarkson. “Our hope was to allow these families to keep their beloved pets; therefore, eliminating the need for owners to be forced to surrender their dogs to an overburdened shelter system or rescue organization.”

More than 2,400 Detroit dogs have been helped since the inception of Project Grace.

Like most people who are involved in animal welfare, Clarkson is a lifelong animal lover. “I would bring home strays all the time,” she said. “My poor mom – when I went off to college, she was left with a houseful of rescue cats.”

Clarkson’s husband and two sons, ages 20 and 18, are also animal lovers. They have long shared their home with rescue dogs, and Clarkson’s family members have all volunteered with Dog Aide in multiple roles.

“At Dog Aide, it’s about more than just the dog,” Clarkson said. “It’s about the whole family unit. It makes me proud to see how our volunteers interact with people when they understand that we’re there for them and not just their pets.” 

“I love the idea of being able to combat the rate of heartworm infections in the city, which is at about 50%,” Clarkson said. “It’s a huge educational program so people understand what heartworm is.” 

Dog Aide has two hotlines: 313-855-5866 for Project Grace and 313-744-6364 for Dog Aide. Detroit families can call the Project Grace hotline to request a voucher by mail for a free spay/neuter at All About Animals (also an MPA member) in Warren or at Comfort Place in Livonia. 

Michigan Pet Alliance member Clarkson serves on the MPA Policy & Advocacy Committee. “I serve because I value being able to be with like-minded individuals who are advocating for change,” she said.

“MPA is lucky to have Jen and Dog Aide as involved members, with such a vast knowledge and experience of feet on the ground and active community animal welfare experience,” said MPA Immediate Past Chair and Founder Deborah Schutt. “Michigan shelters that want to launch human/animal support services through active community outreach can learn a lot from these folks. They were ahead of their time, operating these programs for years before they became recognized as critical solutions by national organizations.”

Join Dog Aide in its mission to support Detroit dog owners and their dogs by providing underserved families with access to resources, care and the assistance they need to keep their pets safe, happy and healthy in their homes.

Follow Dog Aide and its life-saving initiatives at:

MPA's policy and advocacy committee researches and creates position statements to clearly declare where the organization stands on important animal welfare issues and programs.

Community Outreach Position Statement

MPA believes that outreach to pet-owning citizens in underserved communities is essential for promoting responsible pet ownership practices. This outreach is a key component of a healthy animal welfare system designed to prevent overcrowding in shelters and rescues while benefiting both animals and humans. Through accessible spay/neuter programs, education on responsible pet ownership and care, return-to-owner (RTO) initiatives, rehoming support, affordable veterinary care, and behavior support through fear-free training opportunities, outreach efforts foster proactive intervention within the community.

Additionally, outreach provides vital resources and services that help establish trust between animal welfare professionals and local residents. Outreach serves as a safety net, offering comprehensive support to promote a healthier pet population. These programs also create opportunities to identify households in need of additional resources and to address potential issues, such as:

• Negligence or cruelty 
• Criminal activity 
• Dangerous dogs 
• Indiscriminate breeding of animals

Community outreach programs also play a vital role in ensuring the health and well-being of humans. By addressing socio-economic barriers to resources, support and education, these outreach services not only enhance the quality of life for pets, but for people as they can improve mental and physical health, increase empathy and self-confidence in children, and alleviate loneliness and isolation. Such initiatives are crucial for creating compassionate, inclusive communities where all people have the opportunity to experience the profound benefits of the human-animal bond.

Michigan Pet Alliance and our lobbyists hit the ground running this year. We plan to reintroduce a bill to create Michigan's first pet license plate to help fund spay/neuter initiatives and training programs for animal shelters across the state.

Also high on our list to reintroduce and pass this session is Queenie's Law, which would outlaw painful dog experiments at public institutions in Michigan. This common sense legislation to prohibit tormenting dogs with our tax dollars has been met with fierce opposition in the past. 

Watch your your email and follow MPA's Facebook page for action alerts and updates. Lend your voice to help us pass this important life-saving, life-changing legislation.

Learn more about how you can help community cats where you live, work or play. Cats have lived outdoors for thousands of years, and they play an important part in balancing our natural ecosystem. Michigan's harsh winters can make survival tough, but there are ways you can help them. Check out our DIY videos on community cats.

A benefit of MPA membership is free promotion for the upcoming events and fundraisers of member organizations. Here are a few opportunities to support animal welfare organizations next month:

• March 5: Elder Abuse Awareness for First Responders Webinar, AnimalKeepers by McNeil & Co.
• March 8: 2nd Annual Spring Jubilee, Detroit, DogAide
• March 8: Shelter Buddies Reading Event, Osseo, Greater Hillsdale Humane Society
• March 8: Feral Spay Day, Flint, Feline Fund
• March 9: TNR Training - How to Care for Outdoor Cats, Warren, All About Animals
• March 11: Trivia Night Fundraiser, Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Pit Bull Alliance
• March 15: Euchre Tournament, Bay City, Humane Society of Bay County
• March 15: $25 St. Patty’s Adoption Event, Saginaw, Saginaw County Animal Care & Control
• March 15: Volunteer Orientation, Mason, Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter
• March 15: St. Patty's Day Roller Skating Party, Belleville, Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue
• March 16: Virtual TNR Training, All About Animals
• March 17: Bingo Night Every Monday, Boyne City, Charlevoix Area Humane Society
• March 21: 6th Annual Pets Are Family Fundraiser, Grand Rapids, Pleasant Hearts Pet Food Pantry
• March 21-23: Mid Michigan Pet Expo, Flint, Great Lakes Boxer Rescue
• March 23: Yoga With Cats, Ann Arbor, Humane Society of Huron Valley
• March 29: Feral Spay Day, Flint, Feline Fund
• March 30: Chow Hound Meet 'n Greet Event, Grand Rapids, Fig and Friends Pet Rescue

Join the fight and enjoy the benefits of being a member of Michigan Pet Alliance. Become a member today!

MPA Vision:

To achieve the best quality of life for Michigan’s companion animals. 

MPA Mission:

To work in collaboration and speak with a single voice to eliminate abuse and neglect of Michigan’s companion animals and to save all healthy and treatable homeless companion animals through training, technical assistance, education, and advocacy.

313-731-2244

info@michiganpet.org

 michiganpet.org 

Michigan Pet Alliance is a 501(c)3 charitable organization as defined by the IRS

(EIN 20-0399162) and is a GuideStar Exchange Platinum Participant.

Contributions are tax deductible.

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