In this issue:


  • Member Spotlight: Karma Kat Cafe & Rescue
  • Fall Regional Workshops Start Friday
  • Workshop Sponsorship Opportunities
  • Legislative Update
  • Thank You, Nonprofit & Rescue Members
  • October Member Events
 

Mystie Beckwith was an only child who spent her days in the woods with books and nature or just down the road at her grandparents’ farm, riding horses and caring for animals.

 

Then and there, in that childhood, Mystie’s love of living beings grew strong. Her desire to help animals in need began to sprout.

As an adult, Mystie owned and operated a large pet and farm supply store in Mount Pleasant, where she found homes for about 300 cats using a traditional shelter setting of cages and crates.

 

Every time a cat was adopted, Mystie viewed it as sending out a bit of good karma into the world.


From there, the name for the future Karma Kat Cafe & Rescue was born.

“Early on, most of our cat adoptions were the result of in-store events,” she said. “But as shopping habits turned to online purchasing, we decided to close the feed store and to open Karma Kat Cafe.”


The original dream was simple: to create a safe, communal and cage-free space for adoptable cats who were transferred from other shelters. They stay until they find their forever homes.

 

“Of course, that dream quickly morphed due to the desperate need for help for so many vulnerable cats in our county,” Mystie said.

Open seven days a week and located at 612 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant, Karma Kat Cafe opened in June 2018, adopting out more than 1,740 cats in those seven years. 


Just a year after opening, the cafe started its own spay/neuter clinics, performing 20 cat surgeries a month.


“After that first year, we were able to move our clinics to a more spacious location,” said Mystie. “We now fix about 90 cats a month, with more than 4,000 fixed to date.” 

 

The location change allowed Karma to offer spay/neuter services to the public, hoping to head off or at least diminish the overwhelming number of stray cats in the area, while also providing easy access to sterilization for those performing TNR (trap-neuter-return).

 

“Almost two years ago, we formed the non-profit portion of the rescue: Karma Kat Rescue,” said Mystie. “Our mission is to make sure that every cat in our care lives a life of love, safely and with dignity, while also making a positive impact on cats in our community, through adoption, sterilization, advocating and educating.”

Like all successful animal welfare organizations, Karma sets new goals each year.

 

“Our goals for this year include streamlining and improving our shelter protocols,” said Mystie. “We purchased shelter management software to help us do just that. And, we have a continuous goal to keep learning more and doing better for the cats in our care.” 

 

This year, Karma is also focused on networking and raising funds for its Spay It Forward program, which allows those with economic need to sterilize their cats for just $25. Last year, Karma was able to spay/neuter 42 cats through this program. 

 

“Our spay/neuter program is one of our proudest accomplishments,” said Mystie. “Our clinics are staffed completely by volunteers, with the exception of our veterinarian – proof that even a small group of people can make a huge impact.”


Karma is also proud to have helped more than 100 cats with FIP achieve a cured status over the last five years. Many of these cats were not from Karma’s facility. These FIP cats were intentional intakes.


“We pull many medical cases from other shelters because we have strong financial support that enables us to help out with these expensive cases,” said Mystie. “And while we all know it is impossible to save every cat, we sure try hard to do our best.”

Not only does Karma provide a safe and comfortable space for cats, but it also provides a safe and relaxing space for humans.


Cafe guests can hang out in the lounge while sipping coffee, doing homework or chatting - all in the company of furry, adorable friends.


People also find community through Karma’s volunteer program or by spending time in the communal cat lounge where they can unwind and seek comfort. 

“While we continue to advocate and educate for the improvement of the lives of cats in our community through outreach and networking, we would also like to focus on enlarging our pet pantry, which provides food to those with economic need,” said Mystie.

 

Karma is experiencing the same challenges from the economic downturn as other animal welfare organizations in Michigan.

“While we have built up a great network of financial support that enables us to do our work, donations and fundraising remain a challenge in our current economy,” said Mystie. “Getting creative and networking for a larger reach will allow us to continue this life-changing work.

 

“We live in a predominately rural area, with a large college population, so stray and community cats continue to be an ongoing issue. Changing the mindset of humans to respect and honor the lives of cats, instead of delegating their existence to merely being a ‘nuisance,’ is an ongoing challenge. Advocating and educating about the necessity of spaying and neutering will always remain a strong focus.”

 

Michigan Pet Alliance is proud of Karma Kat Cafe and all it has accomplished. Saving lives and improving the quality of care for animals in need is a goal we all share.

"Karma Kat Cafe joined MPA because there is strength in numbers, and we want to be involved not just at a local level, but at a political level, by being involved with policy changes to impact animal lives in a positive manner in our state. One of our favorite sayings is: Together we do great things!" 


-- Mystie Beckwith, director and owner, Karma Kat Cafe & Rescue

Follow Karma Kat Cafe & Rescue and its life-saving initiatives at:
Facebook      Web      Instagram
 

Michigan Pet Alliance supports its members. Speaking with One Voice, we can create lasting change. Lend your voice. Become a member today.

 

The first regional, one-day workshop is this Friday, Sept. 19 in Livonia.


This year's series of Michigan Pet Alliance One Voice training workshops is coming to you, starting this Friday in Wayne County, then in Kent County the following day.


All of the 2025 One Voice regional workshops are approved for continuing education credits for CAWA and for NACA.

Wayne County

Friday, September 19, Department of Public Works, Livonia

"Animal Handling and Capture for Professionals"
Instructor: John Peaveler, Humane Innovations


Humane animal handling and capture are central to our industry. How we perform these functions can have lasting implications for animals throughout their lives and have a direct impact on length of stay and shelter outcomes. 


Our understanding of animal needs has evolved from the early days of the ‘get it done by any means’ mentality to a push for fear-free methods. This session will benefit staff and volunteers in all areas of animal welfare and sheltering.

Kent County

Saturday, September 20, Kent County Health Department, Grand Rapids

  • "Decoding Canine Behavior" - sponsored by NACA
  • "Cat Body Language & Behavior"

Special guest speakers:

  • Amanda Foster, Human Animal Support Services
  • Mary Bart Houston, Mars Pet Nutrition - sponsored by Adopt a Pet Shelter Plus

CURRENTLY BEING RESCHEDULED: Ingham County

Sunday, September 21, Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter, Mason


Charlevoix County

Friday, October 3, Boyne District Library, Boyne City

  • "Meeting the Needs of Unique Shelters with Fear Free Strategies" - sponsored by Dechra
  • "Community Cat Caretaker Certification"

Special guest speaker:

  • Dr. Kathy Engler, Dechra


Marquette County

Sunday, October 5, UPAWS, Gwinn

  • "Tips on How to Improve Your Barn Cat Program"
  • "Animal Sheltering 102: Advanced Health & Safety Protocols" 


Wayne County

Saturday, October 18, Michigan Humane, Detroit

  • "Report and Document Animal Cruelty and Neglect"
  • "Advanced Investigation Procedures for Professionals" - sponsored by NACA and Maddie's Fund

Special guest speaker:

  • Elkie Wills, Human Animal Support Services


Oakland County

Monday, October 27, Oakland County Animal Shelter, Pontiac

  • "Dog Behavior & Body Language with Fear Free Shelter Tips"
  • "Cat Body Language & Behavior"

Special guest speaker:

  • Mary Bart Houston, Mars Pet Nutrition - sponsored by Adopt a Pet Shelter Plus


Roscommon County

Thursday, November 6, Roscommon County Building, Roscommon

  • "Dog Behavior & Body Language With Fear Free Shelter Tips"
  • "Cat Body Language & Behavior"


St. Clair County

Monday, November 10, St. Clair County Library, Port Huron

  • "Cat Body Language & Behavior"
  • "Creating a Successful Barn Cat Program"


Macomb County

Sunday, November 16, Humane Society of Macomb, Utica

  • "Dog Behavior & Body Language with Fear Free Shelter Tips"
  • "Cat Body Language & Behavior"


Space is limited. Reserve your seat today.
Register for Regional Workshops
 

Michigan Pet Alliance is offering sponsorship opportunities for the 2025 One Voice regional workshops.


Sponsorship opportunities are available for any budget, and sponsorship packages can be customized to ensure that MPA's members and animal welfare audience engage with your message. At the same time, your sponsorship dollars support the mission of Michigan Pet Alliance and its members.


If your target audience includes animal welfare advocates, rescuers and pet lovers, sponsoring a workshop can help you build business relationships, gain valuable insights, increase awareness, generate sales and so much more.
 
Sponsor Regional Workshops
 
 

The Michigan legislature is back from summer break, and Michigan Pet Alliance is back to working hard to pass our animal welfare bills.


MPA Animal Welfare License Plate – SB 106

Senate Bill 106, which will create Michigan's first pet license plate to help fund spay/neuter initiatives and training programs for animal shelters across the state, is currently in the House Transportation Committee. MPA expects a hearing soon.


Bond & Forfeiture Bills – SB 293/294

Senate Bills 293 and 294 passed out of the Michigan Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary & Public Safety Committee in a bi-partisan vote. The bills now go to the full senate for consideration.
 

Michigan Pet Alliance appreciates the partnership and engagement of our nonprofit and rescue members. Give these compassionate organizations your support. They understand the big picture and that together, with One Voice, we accomplish more.


All About Animals Rescue

Attorneys for Animals, Inc.

CHAINED Inc.

CSNIP

Eaton County Humane Society

Feline Fund

Fig and Friends Pet Rescue

Grand Rapids Pit Bull Alliance

Gratiot Animals In Need

Great Lakes Boxer Rescue

Leuk's Landing, Inc.

Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue (MWBTR)

NBS Animal Rescue

PASPort Home

Paws for Life Rescue

Pleasant Hearts Pet Food Pantry

Reflections Outcast Animal Rescue

SCC L.E.A.P.

Shelter to Home

The Cat Ambassador

Tyson's Place Animal Rescue

West Michigan Ferret Connection


Encourage your partner shelters to join MPA and to become a shelter member. Share the benefits of membership in MPA.
 

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:



Lend your voice and enjoy the benefits of being a member of Michigan Pet Alliance. Become a member today!
 

Michigan Pet Alliance

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.
Guidestar Platinum

Contributions are tax deductible.
 

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