In this issue:

• Chair's Note
• June Member Spotlight
• Call to Action: Teddy's Law
• 2023 One Voice Conference & Expo
• Welcome New Members
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Member Events in July

One of our MPA board members recently asked me if our members understand what One Voice means. It's the name of our monthly member newsletter and our biennial animal welfare conference.

My first reaction was to think, of course they do.

But a recent event forced me to rethink my initial reaction and give further thought to its meaning for MPA.

Our mission is to work in collaboration, to 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.

I realize that’s a mouthful, but it’s a big task we’ve undertaken.

We advance that mission by establishing standards often spelled out in position statements guiding and advancing support of legislation or policy initiatives.  

An easy example of One Voice is a call for legislative action and a response from our members to deliver a single unified message. Our lobbyists have worked as legislative staff and have told us on more than one occasion that when a legislator receives a call or two, it’s noted. But, when they receive six or more calls, they begin to really pay attention to the wishes of their constituents.  

So, when our members are asked to reach out to their legislators with the same message – as One Voice, as we are with Teddy’s Law – and we tell our legislators that we want the law passed, we’re speaking on behalf of all those animals in laboratories, giving them one loud voice for a chance to live.

As animal advocates, if we each speak at different times or if our message is even slightly different, it loses its impact and effectiveness and, because dogs and cats can’t speak on their own behalf, their needs often go unaddressed.

We’re lucky to have some of Michigan’s leading animal welfare professionals on our board and committees representing shelters, home-based rescues, animal control, educational training and the law. 

This September in Grand Rapids, our One Voice Conference will deliver industry standards, new discoveries and best practices. This newsletter, our One Voice monthly member newsletter, keeps our members up to date on what’s happening at MPA, from legislative initiatives and new industry best practices to welcoming new members and spotlighting existing ones.

One Voice doesn’t mean we won’t have discussions and occasional disagreements. But, when it comes to best practices or the change we need, we must speak as one for the sake of those who can’t speak for themselves.

Julie Duke with her dog Jessica

Julie Duke was in her late 40s before she adopted her first pet, a toy poodle she named Mardi because the puppy was born on Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday. Because her mom didn’t want animals in the house when Julie was growing up, she didn’t know what to expect.

“I found out, much to my surprise, that I was a dog person,” Julie said. “Once I had Mardi, a new world opened up to me. I started volunteering as a dog walker at the Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter.

“There, I had the opportunity to foster a badly abused dog and that experience really ignited my passion for trying to strengthen animal welfare laws in the state of Michigan.” 

Over the years since, Julie has fostered many different dogs from many different rescue organizations, primarily dogs in need of hospice care. 

Julie now has three dogs of her own after losing a fourth just a few weeks ago.

Another of Julie’s passions is participating in animal transport, moving animals from places where they’re in danger of being killed to places where they’re more likely to be adopted. 

“I have driven thousands of miles for volunteer transport networks in the last 10 years,” Julie said. 

Currently, Julie serves on the Michigan Pet Alliance membership and certification committee and is also a member of Attorneys for Animals.

“I’m just a person who loves animals and wants to see them protected,” Julie said. “I think the only way we are going to see meaningful change is through legislation and having the people say these changes are needed.”

That’s why she’s also involved with fundraising for Protect MI Pet, a ballot initiative drive for the 2024 election to create a registry of convicted animal abusers. The proposed legislation would also change forfeiture laws to spare abused animals from being incarcerated for months or years while their legal case awaits trial.

In addition to her volunteer work for animals, after her retirement in 2015 from a career in arts administration and philanthropy, Julie launched Prancing Poodle Pet Care & Dog Walking Services for the greater Lansing area. Her organization provides in-home care services for companion animals, dog walking and even wedding services for couples who want their pets to be part of the celebration. 

“I’m involved in animal welfare because I really want to see our culture and the way we treat animals change,” Julie said. “I started out not knowing anything about animal abuse. Over the years, I’ve been exposed to a lot of different situations where animals have suffered at the hands of humans and I want to personally do something about it and encourage others to do the same.”

On June 6, the Michigan Senate Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee took testimony on Teddy’s Law, Senate Bills 148 and 149.

Under SB 149, facilities that use cats and dogs for research purposes would be required to offer them to animal shelters for potential adoption prior to being killed.

One week later, on June 13, the committee voted and passed the bills.  

MPA Vice President Tanya Hilgendorf was present at the June 6 committee hearing and submitted these comments.

MPA also submitted a letter in support of the bills along with 60 signatures from Michigan animal welfare organizations.

Make a call for Teddy's Law

Now we need you to contact your Michigan senator’s office and let them know that, as their constituent, you want them to vote in support of Teddy’s Law. It's that simple.

Our special thanks to lead bill sponsors Senators Kevin Hertel and Dayna Polehanki. 

Let’s speak with one voice and make sure these bills become law. Call today and ask your friends and colleagues to do the same.

The 2023 One Voice Conference & Expo is going to sell out, so register now before it's too late.

Need a little motivation? Check out a few of these can't-miss sessions:

Everyone who plays a role in matching animals with adopters will want to join April Huntsman from Adopt-a-Pet.com for a 90-minute workshop on what applicants search for when looking to adopt, how best to deliver what they're looking for and the success of the owner-to-owner Rehome program.

Get your Return to Home program off the ground with Gina Knepp from Michelson Found Animals Foundation. Walk away with a toolkit of immediate action steps. Topics will include lost and found website strategies, using technology and incorporating volunteers. 

Change your perspective to better meet the social and emotional needs of the animals in your care. Find your lightbulb moments as Dr. Frank McMillan explains social pain, the emotions that arise when one’s social bonds with another are impaired or lost. While animal welfare has primarily focused on physical pain and treatment, social pain also plays a powerful role in one’s well-being and quality of life.

Additional sessions available that focus on what's new and what's next:

• FIP, FIV and FeLV treatment and management
• Matchmaking adoptions
• Community cat programs
• Legislation and advocacy
• Crisis housing
• Community outreach
• Shelter diversion and surrender prevention
• Behavior management
• Volunteer and foster care programs
• Hiring and retaining talent
• Scentwork and enrichment
• Customer service
• Using data to save lives
• Humane education

Just to a name a few. Register today while space is still available.

Shelter Tours

As an added bonus for conference attendees, you can register to tour an area shelter or two. Check out the full schedule for specific times and details to tour:

• Humane Society of West Michigan
• Kent County Animal Shelter

Scholarships

The deadline for members to submit a scholarship application to attend the conference is July 31, 2023. Initially, 10 scholarships were available to reduce the two-day conference registration fee, including lunch during the general sessions, to just $50. There are still a few scholarships available. Based upon financial hardship, scholarships are being offered on a first-come, first-approved basis only to MPA members. 

Calling All Exhibitors

There are still a few open spots for exhibitors at the 2023 One Voice Michigan Pet Alliance Conference & Expo. Thirty exhibitors will be able to take advantage of this opportunity to connect with more than 300 staff, volunteers and advocates from Michigan animal welfare organizations, shelters and rescues at the 2023 One Voice: Michigan Pet Alliance Expo on September 21-21 in Grand Rapids. 

The cost for an exhibitor booth is just $250 and includes a 6-foot table, two chairs, and power and wireless internet access. The deadline to register as a conference exhibitor is July 31, 2023.

Sponsor the Conference

Don't miss another opportunity to reach animal welfare advocates and pet owners across the state of Michigan. Join renowned organizations, like Fear Free, Adopt-a-Pet.com and 24Pet, and choose a sponsorship option.

For just $250, an organization or business can sponsor the Rejuvenation Station or Well-being Session and receive recognition in the conference program and website, as well as in onsite signage.

From sponsoring keynote presentations to sponsoring the Beer & Pretzels ask the experts reception, additional a-la-carte sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information and payment options, visit the conference website.

Jo Bollman

Gretchen Harrison

Rachel Horton

Sarah Krizan

Renena McCaskill

Michigan Pet Alliance is looking for volunteers. Check out a few of the opportunities currently available:

Tabling Events - coordinate opportunities for MPA to have a booth or table at events around Michigan

Online Research - find upcoming events for member organizations and record the event name, date, location and website address

Please remember to update your contact information in your online MPA account to keep receiving all membership benefits and our latest news. 

Add info@michiganpet.org and membership@michiganpet.org to your contact list or address book so our communications land in your inbox, not in your junk/spam folder.

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.