In this issue:


  • Sponsor Spotlight: Adopt a Pet Shelter Plus
  • Legislative Update & Call to Action
  • DIY Community Cat Shelters & Feeding Stations
  • Save the Date: Disaster Planning Webinar
  • Welcome New Members
  • December Member Events
 

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

 

Ask Mary Bart Houston her job title, and she'll tell you she's a shelter account manager for Mars Pet Nutrition.


In reality, though, Houston is a connector.


Her job is to bring together pets, people, shelters, rescues, veterinarians and everything that's needed to keep the road to life-saving humming along.


It's a big job.

But, then again, Houston works for a giant company, one that began in 1911 as a candy company with a single product, one that has since grown into a global behemoth that measures its annual sales in the tens of billions of dollars.


On top of its core business, Mars is now a leader in, among other things, pet food and pet services. With that success, the company is proud to give back and to play a role in animal welfare. One of its more recent initiatives was launching Adopt a Pet Shelter Plus.

Matching pets and products, organizations and services is where Houston comes in. These days, her efforts are directed toward bringing together shelters, rescues, pets and the people who care for them, offering discounted food, veterinary services, and even training and counseling for the volunteers who care for pets who have yet to find homes.


Among their roster of products and services Houston can put in play for her connections are Eukanuba, Greenies, Iams, Nutro, Pedigree, Royal Canin, Whiskas, Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Banfield Pet Hospital, Blue Pearl, VCA Animal Hospitals and more ... much, much more.

"We're kind of all across the board," Houston said. "Our job is to do the best we can for the animals and the people who take care of them.


"For shelters, who have never had much of anything, this is great. Mars saw that as something that was so needed.


"The plan is to keep going until we can get every shelter as involved as possible and tap into all the rescues we can."

Just this year alone, they've added some 40 shelters across the country that can benefit from Mars' connections and the discounts they bring. More organizations, Houston said, are coming on board weekly.


Michigan is one of the territories Houston services. That's why their Adopt a Pet Shelter Plus program recently began an affiliation with Michigan Pet Alliance, sponsoring workshops and presenting information to attendees. 


It is, Houston said, a natural fit.

"Mars' slogan is 'Making a Better World for Pets,' so it all goes back to the ecosystem for Mars pets," she said.


Houston recalled her earlier experiences working with pets.


"Having been in the trenches in a shelter, you learn a lot," she said. "Most of all, everyone's just trying to do the best they can at the end of the day. A lot of times, it's just about access to resources. That's where we come in. I try to get involved as much as I can by networking with others, asking, what can we do to help?"

Besides the good feeling that comes with helping bring the pet care world what it needs, Houston said, there are other intangibles that come with the territory and the connections she makes.


"My favorite part is meeting people and connecting with someone else and helping spread good ideas," Houston said. "That's really cool for me."


Apply today to join Adopt a Pet Shelter Plus, an exclusive program that supports both shelters and adopters, making the adoption process easier for everyone. Gain access to competitive discounts, resources, expert guidance, vet assistance and other perks.


Michigan Pet Alliance appreciates the support of Mary Bart Houston and Mars Pet Nutrition. Thank you for bringing Adopt a Pet Shelter Plus to our community.

Mary Bart Houston and Marvin

Mary Bart's crew of Sadie, Stanley and Marvin, lovingly referred to as, "The Cartel."
 

HB 5208/5209: Cat Declaw Ban

Michigan Pet Alliance is excited to share that a bipartisan bill has been reintroduced to prohibit declawing of cats in Michigan. Introduced by Representatives Jimmie Wilson, Jr. and Stephanie Young, House Bills 5208 and 5209 were cosponsored by both Democrat and Republican Representatives. The bills have been referred to the House Agriculture Committee for consideration.


HB 4254: Queenie’s Law
Queenie’s Law, which prohibits public institutions from using dogs in painful experiments, passed the House Regulatory Reform Committee with a 12-0 vote (two members chose not to vote). The bill has now moved to the House Rules Committee.


CALL TO ACTION: please contact House Rules Committee members and ask that they support Queenie’s Law. Below is their information:


  • Bill Schuette, Chair, BillSchuette@house.mi.gov, (517) 373-0152
  • Joe Aragona, Majority Vice Chair, JosephAragona@house.mi.gov, (517) 373-1785 (sponsor of Queenie's Law)
  • Pauline Wendzel, PaulineWendzel@house.mi.gov, (517) 373-1799 (chose not to vote on this bill in the Regulatory Reform Committee)
  • David Martin, DavidMartin@house.mi.gov, (517) 373-0826
  • Bryan Posthumus, BryanPosthumus@house.mi.gov, (517) 373-0830
  • Nancy DeBoer, NancyDeBoer@house.mi.gov, (517) 373-0846
  • Angela Witwer, Minority Vice Chair, angelawitwer@house.mi.gov, (517) 373-0822 (voted Yes on this bill in the Regulatory Reform Committee)
  • Tullio Liberati Jr, tullioliberati@house.mi.gov, (517) 373-1776 (voted Yes on this bill in the Regulatory Reform Committee)
  • Peter Herzberg, peterherzberg@house.mi.gov, (517) 373-2275


We need every organization and every voter in Michigan to show strong support.


HB 4220/4221: Telehealth Bills 

The House Rules Committee passed a bill in the veterinary telehealth package, moving it to the House floor. Telehealth was permitted during the COVID-19 pandemic, but was limited again as executive orders expired post-pandemic. Michigan Pet Alliance strongly supports this bill package. It is desperately needed to help areas of the state where veterinary care is inaccessible. Both telehealth bills now await consideration on the House floor.


Thank you for advocating for animals. When we speak with One Voice, we accomplish more.
 

As winter nears, it's a good time to add or refresh community cat shelters and feeding stations. Learn how you can help community cats where you live, work or play. Michigan's harsh winters can be long and bitterly cold, but there are ways you can help. Check out our DIY videos on community cats.


TNR Management

DIY Outdoor Feeding Station for Community Cats

DIY Outdoor Shelter for Community Cats
Video on DIY Community Cat Shelters
 

Planning for Pets During an Emergency Evacuation

Save the Date: December 11, 2025


From weather emergencies to man-made and natural disasters, when it's time to evacuate to shelters and safe areas, what are your plans for pets and livestock? Have you thought about how to effectively gather your pets, their medications, medical records and food? How quickly can you get your pets into carriers or on leash?


What about your community? Is your county prepared?  


Join Michigan Pet Alliance and fellow rescuers and advocates from across the state for a December 11 webinar to learn more about disaster planning for you and your pets. Stay tuned for more information and the registration link.
 

Michigan Pet Alliance welcomes our newest members. Thank you for joining us. With One Voice, we accomplish more.


  • AKC Reunite
  • Animal Farm Foundation
  • Alyssa Apruzzese
  • Sandra Aspinall
  • Susan Atwater, SCC LEAP
  • Emma Baker, Roscommon County Animal Shelter
  • Hannah Chapman, Charlevoix Area Humane Society
  • Beth Conlin
  • Katie Dunaj, Roscommon County Animal Shelter
  • Kristine Foguth, Otsego County Animal Shelter
  • Jessica Franckiewicz, Lapeer County Animal Control
  • Sara Froude
  • Ruby Galloway, Roscommon County Animal Shelter
  • Pat Hendra, SCC LEAP
  • Chavenia Hernandez
  • Robin Hudson
  • Laurel Jones, CSNIP
  • Nicole Juchem, Animal Farm Foundation
  • Clarissa Koski
  • Emma Love
  • Monica Mak, AKC Reunite
  • Jennifer Mastbergen, CSNIP
  • Carol Maxbauer, Blue Water Area Humane Society
  • DeeDee Mendyk, Roscommon County Animal Shelter and Control
  • Natalie Moser
  • Jared Noggle
  • Bonnie O'Dell, Roscoe Rescue
  • Ashley Orebaugh, Lapeer County Animal Control
  • Charles Packman, Otsego County Animal Control/Shelter
  • Kathy Pardo, Roscoe Rescue
  • Maria Pfaff
  • Kristen Puckett
  • Brian Roberts
  • Devan Saylor
  • Stephanie Slater, Roscommon County Animal Shelter
  • Nicole Somoski
  • Renay Ternan, Hummingbird Equestrian
  • Bernadette Vogt
  • Breyana Wilson
  • Lori Yankel
  • Ashleigh Ybarra


Encourage your partners and network to join MPA and become a member. Share the benefits of membership in Michigan Pet Alliance.
 

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! It's only $35 a year for an individual. That's less than $3 a month to support pets and life-saving initiatives.

 

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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