In this issue:

• Member Spotlight: DocuPet
• June Lunch & Learn Webinar: Grant Writing
• 2026 Awards & Grants Program: Now Open
• Conference Scholarships: Now Open
• Replay Lunch & Learn: Outreach Programs
• Job Opening: Saginaw County
• Local Advocacy: Regressive Ordinances
• Welcome New Members
• July Member Events

Note: the next local advocacy committee meeting is Wednesday, June 24 at 7 p.m. MPA members who'd like to join, please reply to request the meeting link.

Every day in the United States, more than 4,600 pets go missing. That amounts to more than 1.7 million dogs, cats, and other furry or feathered companions separated from their families. 

Many of them, far too many, will never see their homes again. How many? About 37% of dogs and about 50% of cats will remain lost, according to the Pet911.org’s 2024 Lost Pets in America report.

That’s a lot of numbers to absorb; more to the point, that’s a lot of our pets. 

Enter Jackie Rose, chief strategy officer for DocuPet, a third-party, pet licensing provider that helps bring together owners and their lost pets through registration and its 24/7 lost and found recovery service. 

“Our focus today is helping to keep pets out of shelters,” Rose says. “We are 100% committed to helping lost pets find their way home. It’s a mission-driven focus for us. Our goal is to get a tag on every pet.” 

That’s why DocuPet, which operates in both the U.S. and in Canada, provides free pet tags to owners. It can, then, enter the information it gathers into its database and use it to locate the owners of a wandering pet, notifying them that he or she has been found. 

“We have about 5 million pet records in our system with data that includes information about a pet,” Rose says. “It’s detailed information that even includes physical descriptions and distinguishing physical traits.  

“Every pet in our system has a data profile. We’re the only organization that can check by visuals.”  

The roots of DocuPet go back to a modest launch by its founder, Grant Goodwin, in Kingston, Ontario, with five employees and a dream to expand coverage as far and as fast as Goodwin and his colleagues reasonably could. 

Today, DocuPet partners with more than 350 jurisdictions across North America to help provide safe and happy homes for all pets through proper registration. According to its website, DocuPet developed the National Animal Shelter Network to connect shelters across hundreds of jurisdictions. Together, they collaborate, access real-time pet data and reunite lost pets more efficiently than ever before.

Today, DocuPet adds a new partner every three days. 

With pet reunification at the heart of DocuPet’s business, the initial tags that identify a pet are provided for free.

However, if a pet owner wants something a bit more fun and personal, they can purchase a “designer tag” with enhanced graphics, or they can design their own tag.

DocuPet also offers pet owners the opportunity to purchase a GPS tracking device for their dog, which not only provides location services but also measures health and activity levels. 

Rose’s company is now a member of MPA because she sees awareness of DocuPet’s services as an important way to spread the word about what they can offer and speed reunifications, shortening the time gap between when a pet becomes lost and its owners are located and notified. 

Rose’s involvement with DocuPet comes from a 20-year career managing shelters and gaining a close look at the gaps in the system that make reunification of pets and owners more difficult. 

“In many ways, we’re more of a data company,” Rose says. “Because we’re all about reunification, we try to move our data as quickly as possible for that pet and make it as easy as possible to bring them home.” 

Michigan Pet Alliance is proud to have DocuPet as a member. Meet them and learn more in October at the 2026 One Voice Conference & Expo.

Today! Join us for this month's free Lunch & Learn webinar.

"How to Get the Most Out of Grant Writing"

Free Lunch & Learn Webinar

Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at noon ET

Join Julie Townsend today at noon for a free webinar to unlock the potential that grants can provide. If you feel overwhelmed by the process, don’t worry! This short program will break down the steps of finding grants, collecting data and applying for funding into simple, manageable concepts.

It’s easier than you might think, and funding is available if you’re willing to take a chance.

If you can't attend these webinars live, register anyway to receive the replay links. Continuing education credits are available for most MPA webinars.

Save the Date: July 17, 2026

Free Lunch & Learn Webinar: Scent Work Programs for Shelter and Rescue Dogs with Laurie Horn

The 2026 Better Together Awards & Grants program is now open.

Michigan Pet Alliance offers $10,000 in grants and awards every year to shelters and nonprofit organizations that support impactful programs that serve animals and the people who care for them across the state of Michigan.

Apply for one award or for all of them. There is no limit, and there is no fee to apply.

Next Level Innovation in Animal Welfare

Presented to an organization that demonstrates forward-thinking ideas and creative solutions to improve the lives of animals and strengthen animal welfare practices. This award recognizes innovation that drives meaningful progress in pet retention, progressive adoption practices or access to veterinary care through programs, partnerships or lifesaving initiatives that create lasting positive change for animals and the community.

Grant Award: $3,000

Next Level Community Impact

Presented to an organization whose dedication and service have made a significant and lasting impact on the community and the animals within it. This award honors those who build connections through humane education, inspire involvement through volunteering, and strengthen community support through advocacy, outreach and collaboration.

Grant Award: $2,000

Next Level Compassion in Action

Presented to an organization that consistently demonstrates exceptional compassion, empathy and dedication in the care and treatment of animals and people. This award recognizes those who lead with kindness, integrity and a commitment to making a difference in their community and beyond through everyday actions that embody the heart of animal welfare.

Grant Award: $2,000

Training Grant: Scentwork in a Shelter or Foster Home

Boost your enrichment and training programs by learning how to add scentwork. If you don’t have a program, scentwork is a great start to creating one. Scentwork helps dogs reduce stress and anxiety. It’s a great outlet for reactive dogs, too. Tell us about your current dog training and enrichment program, how many dogs you serve annually, why you need this training and what goals you currently have to improve your dog enrichment program.

Training Award Value: $400

Animal Control Officer of the Year

The work performed by animal control officers demands strength, compassion and diligence, and their efforts and achievements should be celebrated. Nominate an animal control officer who tirelessly serves animals and their people by connecting with the community, collaborating with agencies and organizations, communicating effectively with a diverse population and creatively diverting animals from entering the shelter. 

Grant Award: $500

Joel Penny Volunteer of the Year Award

In memory of Joel Penny, this award honors an individual who gives selflessly of their time volunteering in various aspects of animal welfare and who takes every opportunity to learn and know more. Nominate a volunteer who exemplifies these characteristics for the betterment of animals in Michigan.

Grant Award: $100 gift card

Eligibility

To be considered for the above grant and training awards, organizations must meet one of the following criteria:

• Animal shelters must be licensed with MDARD
• Home-based rescue and community outreach organizations must be based in Michigan, designated 501(c)3 nonprofits and registered with the Michigan Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Section
• ACOs must serve in the state of Michigan and have a current certification

Deadline to apply: July 31, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET.

Awards and grants will be presented at the 2026 One Voice Conference & Expo in October.

The 2026 One Voice: Michigan Pet Alliance Conference & Expo is less than four months away. Registration opens August 3, but scholarship applications are open now.

We are also accepting donations for raffle baskets and prizes to be awarded at the conference. If you have products or services you'd like to donate, please email conference@michiganpet.org. All donations are tax-deductible.

Thanks to the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA), Michigan Pet Alliance is excited to offer scholarships to reduce the two-day conference registration fee to just $50 for MPA members and $85 for non-members.

Scholarships will be based on financial hardship and are being offered on a first-come, first-approved basis.  

Application Timeline:

• Applications must be submitted by July 31, 2026
• Notifications will be made by August 16, 2026
• For approved applicants, registration and the $50/$85 non-refundable registration fee are due by August 31, 2026

Check out the webinar replay from our Creating an Outreach Program or Outreach Organization Lunch & Learn, May 20, 2026.

Communities thrive when people and animals are supported together. Join Jen Clarkson, founder of Detroit’s Dog Aide, as she discusses the essential steps for building an effective, sustainable outreach program that improves animal welfare in meaningful ways.

Whether you’re part of a shelter, nonprofit, school or grassroots initiative, this session equips you with the tools to turn compassion into organized action.

MPA member Saginaw County Animal Care & Control is hiring an ACO supervisor.

• Starting at $24.16/hour ($24.16-$31.82/hour range)
• Full-time position with benefits
• Supervise and mentor animal control officers
• Lead field operations, investigations and emergency response
• Work alongside law enforcement, prosecutors, veterinarians and shelter staff
• Help shape the future of animal care and control in Saginaw County

If you're passionate about animal welfare, public safety and leadership, Saginaw County would love to hear from you.

What would you do if your board of commissioners or city council changed your animal control ordinance to intentionally undermine and limit animal control's authority?

MPA member and former St. Clair County Animal Control Director Melissa Miller discusses her recent resignation, after a controversial vote by county commissioners to rewrite the county’s animal control ordinance, on the "Keep it Humane: The Podcast."

The new ordinance shifts criminal animal cruelty investigations away from animal control and places those responsibilities with untrained local law enforcement agencies, a move Miller publicly opposed before stepping down.

Is your organization or your community in compliance with the PETS Act (Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act) for disaster preparedness?

Upcoming Training: Local Approach to Discussion-based Disaster Exercises and Readiness (LADDER) Training

June 25, 2026

9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET

University Center

80 Livingston Blvd

Gaylord, Michigan 49735

Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on June 19, 2026.

Are your community's animals being properly protected?

MDARD provides annual grants to support anti-cruelty training for animal law enforcement to improve investigations into cruelty and fighting incidents. Grants can be used for various programs, including:

• To improve knowledge of the proper care of animals pursuant to state animal anti-cruelty laws by training personnel authorized by law to enforce state anti-cruelty laws
• To support programs that provide for the costs of care for animals that are housed for violations of state animal anti-cruelty laws
• To support programs that support the proper care and protection of animals pursuant to state animal anti-cruelty laws
• To support public education to improve community knowledge of the proper care of animals pursuant to state animal anti-cruelty laws

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

• Jamie Allor, SCC L.E.A.P
• Anna Breithaupt, Capital Area Humane Society
• Ryan Gardner, Little Woods Animal Sanctuary
• Carrie Genoff, SCC L.E.A.P
• Kim Hanschen, Jackson & Ryan Architects
• Randi Harrington, Charlevoix Area Humane Society
• Jackson & Ryan Architects
• Kathy LaTurno, SCC L.E.A.P
• Collin Lovik, Charlevoix Humane Society
• Julie Mahan, Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter
• Sherrie Mallon, Charlevoix Humane Society
• Amanda McCann, CSNIP
• Allie Neaves, Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter
• Megan Tarvas, Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter

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:

• July 1: Dog Vaccine Clinic, Mason, Ingham County Animal Control
• July 4: Meet & Greet, Grand Rapids, Fig and Friends Pet Rescue
• July 10: Dance for a Chance, Essexville, Humane Society of Bay County
• July 11: Meet & Greet, South Haven, Al-Van Humane Society
• July 12: In-person TNR Training, Warren, All About Animals
• July 12: Bike Night, Gwinn, UPAWS
• July 13: Bingo Night, Boyne City, Charlevoix Area Humane Society
• July 15: MPA Lunch & Learn Webinar, Scent Work Programs for Shelter and Rescue Dogs, online, Michigan Pet Alliance
• July 17: Garage Sale 2026, Warren, I Heart Dogs Rescue & Animal Haven
• July 18: Little Paws Toddler Time, Ann Arbor, Humane Society of Huron Valley
• July 19: Microchip & Vaccine Clinic, Grand Rapids, Pleasant Hearts Pet Food Pantry
• July 19: TNR Training, virtual, All About Animals
• July 23: Ales for Tails 2026, Holland, Harbor Humane
• July 26: In-person TNR Training, Flint, All About Animals
• July 31: Blu Dot Farm & Vineyard Adoption Event, Charlevoix, Little Traverse Bay Humane Society

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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