In this issue:

• Buddy's Law Legislative Update
• Welcome to the Board, Jen Clarkson
• Volunteer With MPA
• March Lunch & Learn Webinar
• Changes to Membership Dues
• St Clair County Community Townhall
• Safety Response Planning: ICE
• Welcome New Members
• March Member Events

Note: the next local advocacy committee meeting is Wednesday, February 25. MPA members who'd like to join, please reply to request the meeting link.

Buddy’s Law Remains in Committee While Weather Extremes Continue

As many of you know — and have experienced firsthand through your calls and outreach (thank you!) — Buddy’s Law (HB 4130, 4131, 4132) still sits in the Michigan House Judiciary Committee.

The recent cold snap may have passed, but the summer heat is coming, and winter will be back soon enough. Outdoor dogs remain vulnerable in both. 

This bipartisan package seeks to clarify standards for adequate shelter, to close loopholes and to allow quicker intervention during extreme weather. These are not radical measures. They are basic protections meant to prevent avoidable suffering.

Many of you have been told to call the committee chair and members — and that matters. But it’s also fair to ask: what is your own representative doing to help move this and other animal protection bills forward? That is part of their job.

It’s been many years since we’ve seen meaningful animal protection legislation pass. When most of us see animals as family, and while so many industries profit off the backs of animals, basic welfare standards should not be this hard to pass.

Take a look at this list of pending companion animal bills that have not received the attention from legislators that they deserve.

In the meantime, local governments can strengthen their own ordinances and ensure enforcement. Michigan’s existing cruelty statute (MCL 750.50) already requires adequate care and shelter. Enforcement is critical.

Click to read the full article, including what you can do to pass local ordinances to protect pets in your community.

Michigan Pet Alliance proudly welcomes Jen Clarkson to its board of directors.

Jen is a prominent animal welfare leader and community advocate who has been a driving force in Detroit’s outreach landscape since 2011.

After witnessing the systemic gap in support and resources for Detroit pet owners, Jen co-founded Dog Aide, where she serves as executive director.

Her mission is to prevent animals from being surrendered to shelters by providing families with the education, medical resources and support systems necessary to keep their pets at home.

A veteran of systemic reform, Jen served on the 2016 shelter transformation committee for Detroit Animal Care and Control. Jen's leadership extends beyond Michigan. She frequently provides guidance on structural development to organizations across the country that want to establish successful community outreach models.

Bringing a unique approach to animal welfare, Jen draws from her extensive background in health care, having served as a nursing home administrator and as an emergency medical technician (EMT). She holds a bachelor’s degree in community development from Central Michigan University, a foundation she uses to bridge the gap between public health, community needs and animal advocacy.

Michigan Pet Alliance and its members are excited to welcome Jen and her community outreach expertise to its board of directors.

Michigan Pet Alliance is recruiting a volunteer to take on the role of volunteer coordinator.

Role description: Provide an organized and welcoming onboarding process to integrate both new and experienced volunteers in the needs, processes and policies of MPA. Responsibilities include contacting applicants, maintaining the volunteer database, distributing the MPA volunteer handbook and helping new volunteers get started in their roles. The volunteer coordinator will work with the membership committee to develop a volunteer recognition and retention program to reward and show appreciation for MPA volunteers.

Join a leadership team that works together to improve the lives of pets in Michigan and has fun while doing it. Please email membership@michiganpet.org with questions.

"From Conflict to Cooperation: How to Turn Community Cat Skeptics Into Supporters"

Free Webinar: Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at noon Eastern

Mark your calendars and register today for next month's free lunch & learn webinar. Community cat programs often face resistance from neighbors, businesses and even local officials.

Join Holly Thoms, a licensed veterinary technician and the Spay & Neuter Clinic director at Capital Area Humane Society, as she equips you with strategies to navigate tough conversations, address common concerns with facts and turn skeptics into allies. Learn how to foster understanding, build trust and create a more supportive community for humane community cat management.

If you can't make it live, register anyway to receive the replay link.

Beginning April 1, Michigan Pet Alliance membership dues will change, but don't worry. It's all good news.

Membership dues for businesses and individuals remain the same. Shelters, rescues and nonprofits will be combined into one category: Organizations.

Membership dues as of April 1:

• Individuals: $35
• Organizations: $250
• Businesses/Corporations: $300

As an added benefit, all member organizations (at the new rate) will be able to enroll an unlimited number of employees, volunteers and board members to receive an MPA membership. This gives your staff and leadership direct access to networking opportunities, the local advocacy committee, and discounts at conferences, workshops and trainings.

Members who were paying dues less than $250 have been offered the option to switch or be grandfathered at their current rate and enrollment limitations.

Please reply or email membership@michiganpet.org with questions or concerns.

St. Clair County residents and beyond are invited to a community townhall meeting, led by MPA member organization SCC LEAP. Everyone interested in improving the lives of pets in St. Clair County is invited to attend.

Next meeting: Saturday, February 28 at 5 p.m. at Indian Trail Mobile Home Park 3650 Metcalf Road in Burtchville Township.

Email sccanimaladvocates@gmail.com for more information.

Crisis planning is part of running any animal welfare organization. Organizations review and update their plans on a regular basis, then communicate those plans to their staff and volunteers.

Recently, organizations have added ICE to their list of potential crises. This article provides planning tips and resources to ensure your organization is prepared.

To prepare yourself and your teams should ICE agents show up at your site, focus your planning on:

• SAFETY
• Self Regulation
• De-escalation
• Legalities
• Compassion

Safety is paramount. You cannot care for others – for animals, for community members, for colleagues – if you do not take care of yourself.

• Establish ICE points of contact at each location and event site
• Train and prepare your staff and volunteers (no different than a fire or tornado drill)
• Provide resources

Guidance and Resources

Create or order, then distribute Know Your Rights Cards (aka Red Cards) - www.ilrc.org/redcards. Make them readily available, in multiple languages, to your colleagues, patrons and community members. 

COPAL: https://copalmn.org/knowyourrights/

Monarca Rapid Response: 612-441-2881, https://monarcamn.org/resources

Communicate guidance to all staff and volunteers, including:

• Employee Assistance Program contact information
• Protocol for responding to ICE activity at your sites
• Community resources
• Encourage discussion and freedom to ask questions 
• Availability of local community response and ICE observer training

Gather resources to provide to affected communities, including:

• Food delivery
• Coalitions’ contact information
• Local and free immigration legal aid contact information
• Immigrant-owned businesses
  

Click to read the full article and learn about points of contact, safe spaces and more.

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

• Matthew Avery, City of Romulus Animal Shelter
• Caroline Bucholz
• Adam Duberstein
• Connie Kapugia
• Kelsey Maccombs, Saginaw County Animal Care & Control
• Rachel Marchena, City of Romulus Animal Shelter
• Philip Rase, City of Romulus Animal Shelter
• Lindsey Sammons, Saginaw County Animal Care & Control
• Carol A Snodgrass
• Maxine Wood
• Michael Workings

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:

• March 1: Humane Education Day, South Haven, Al-Van Humane Society
• March 2: Bingo Night, Boyne City, Charlevoix Area Humane Society
• March 7: Open Skate Fundraiser, Belleville, Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue
• March 8: TNR Training, Warren, All About Animals
• March 10: Low Cost Vaccine Clinic, Adrian, Lenawee Humane Society
• March 12: Human Commonalities Webinar, online, HASS
• March 14: Kitten Shower, Lansing, Happy Feet Pet Rescue
• March 14: Euchre Tournament, Bay City, Humane Society of Bay County
• March 15: TNR Best Practices Training, online, All About Animals
• March 18: Bingo Night, Muskegon, Noah Project
• March 19: Applebee's Fundraiser, Holland, Tyson's Place Animal Rescue
• March 21: Volunteer Orientation, Mason, Ingham County Animal Control
• March 22: Yoga With Cats, Ann Arbor, Humane Society of Huron Valley
• March 27-29: Mid Michigan Pet Expo, Flint, Great Lakes Boxer Rescue
• March 28: 2nd Annual Bowling Fundraiser, Harrison Township, I Heart Dogs Rescue

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 in Michigan.

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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