In this issue:

• Member Spotlight: Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue
• Fall 2025 One Voice Regional Workshops: Registration Open
• Call to Action: Lapeer County
• Lunch & Learn: August 7
• Thank You, Corporate Members
• August Member Events

It always starts with a need, a passion and a drive to help homeless pets. Rescues are born from those ideals, and most strive to one day grow into a shelter. The dream of walls and a roof to provide a haven to animals in need, beyond the foster care network, is present day and night. It’s a goal that many rescues strive to accomplish. 

MPA member Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue (FMAR) is one such organization.

“One of our proudest milestones was securing a physical shelter location,” said FMAR Board President Orsi Dezsi. “While many rescues operate solely through foster networks, having both a dedicated facility and an active foster program allows us to help a greater number of animals and to respond more flexibly to urgent needs. This has been a game-changer in how we serve the community.”

Founded in April 2003 by Pete and Marcy LaFramboise, with the help of numerous volunteers and supporters, FMAR established its mission to offer compassionate care, to ensure every animal receives the medical attention and socialization that they need and to work tirelessly to place them in loving forever homes. FMAR is also deeply committed to community education and outreach, promoting responsible pet ownership and celebrating the unbreakable bond between people and animals.

“One of our biggest challenges is capacity. We receive calls every day from individuals who need to surrender their pets and, while we help whenever possible, we simply don’t have the space or resources to meet every request. It’s heartbreaking to turn animals away, but we must prioritize the ones already in our care.”

Located in Sumpter Township, Belleville, a rural area with a large and growing stray and community cat population, FMAR recognizes that many residents face financial hardships.

“It’s not uncommon for animals to be abandoned, especially cats, who are often left to reproduce unchecked,” said Dezsi. “We see dogs dumped in the countryside, too. More targeted TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) initiatives and accessible resources for pet retention would go a long way in supporting both animals and their owners.”

FMAR’s core goals remain consistent from year to year: to secure the sustainable resources needed to care for every animal that comes through its doors and to help each one find their forever home, including comprehensive medical care, enrichment and socialization. 

In 2025, FMAR is working to strengthen its fundraising programs and to increase community engagement.

FMAR was born from passion and determination, nurtured by hard work and compassion, which has led to successful partnerships with its growing community and continued life-saving initiatives.  

Michigan Pet Alliance appreciates and values FMAR's membership and its continuous contributions to animal welfare in Michigan.  

"Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue joined Michigan Pet Alliance to connect with like-minded organizations, share knowledge and resources, and to stay informed about funding opportunities and legislative updates. Being part of this network allows us to collaborate, learn and grow alongside other rescues working to improve animal welfare in Michigan." 

-- Orsi Dezsi, president, board of directors, Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue

Follow Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue and its life-saving initiatives at:

Registration is now open.

This fall, we're bringing our One Voice training workshops to you ... 10 workshops in nine counties, tackling the topics that these communities want most.

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"

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

Ingham County

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

• "The Why Behind the Goodbye: Preventing Pet Surrenders"
• "From Conflict to Cooperation: How to Turn Community Cat Skeptics Into Supporters"

Special guest speaker:

• Amanda Foster, Human Animal Support Services

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"

Reserve your spot before August 19 to take advantage of early registration pricing: 

• MPA members: $50
• Non-members: $85 (includes one-year MPA membership)

Space is limited. These workshops will sell out. Reserve your seat today and save with early registration prices.

Free Registration

If your shelter, rescue, outreach or nonprofit organization is not yet a member of Michigan Pet Alliance, here's your chance to fix that and to earn two free tickets to the workshop of your choice. Check out our list of current members and join the pack.

The next three organizations or shelters that join MPA will receive two free registrations. Join now.

Your voice is needed now.

Lapeer County Commissioner Scott McMahan has proposed a policy to kill all dogs at the county shelter 30 days after intake.

McMahan of District 1, which represents the residents of Deerfield Township (precinct 2), Marathon Township and Mayfield Township (precincts 1 and 3), has not reached out to any local, state or national animal welfare organizations requesting assistance. Instead, he prefers a "kill them all" approach.

Lapeer County has a myriad of solutions before it, but has chosen not to explore any of them. Lapeer County has not instituted best practices for sheltering. Lapeer County has not used the statewide ListServ to partner with other organizations. Lapeer County has not removed its numerous barriers to lifesaving that exist within its policies and procedures.

Michigan Pet Alliance and its members implore Lapeer County to enact best practices throughout its sheltering and animal control programs. MPA recognizes the dedicated, hard-working employees and volunteers of Lapeer County. The change that is needed has to come from the top, from the decision makers. Those working tirelessly through blood, sweat and tears to care for the shelter animals and to find them homes should not bare the burden that this kill policy will create.

What you can do:

• Attend the Lapeer County commissioners meeting this Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the commissioner chambers on the lower level of the County Complex, 255 Clay Street, Lapeer, Michigan
• Speak during public comment at this Thursday's July 24 meeting. You will have three minutes to state your opposition to this proposed kill policy
• Call and email the commissioners to politely and respectfully express your opposition
• Vote in every election and remember who supports animal welfare and who does not

Contact information:

• Scott McMahan, District 1, 810-245-4757, smcmahan@lapeercounty.org
• Gary Howell, chairman, District 2, 810-245-4768, ghowell@lapeercounty.org
• Kevin Knisely, District 3, 810-245-4756, kknisely@lapeercounty.org
• Brad Haggadone, vice chairman, District 4, 810-245-4767, bhaggadone@lapeercounty.org
• Ian Kempf, District 5, 810-245-4754, ikempf@lapeercounty.org
• Greg Wise, District 6, 810-245-4755, gwise@lapeercounty.org
• Bryan Zender, District 7, 810-542-2575, bzender@lapeercounty.org

Shane is an adoptable dog at Lapeer County Animal Control. Intake date March 14, 2025. Shane is a 2-year-old, 56-lb, neutered male dog awaiting his forever home.

Sheila is an adoptable dog at Lapeer County Animal Control. Intake date June 19, 2025. Sheila is a 2-year-old, 33-lb, spayed female dog awaiting her forever home.

Both Shane and Sheila would have been victims of Lapeer County's proposed "kill them all" policy if it were currently in place.

Please speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. They need your voice now more than ever.

Join us August 7 from noon to 1 p.m. for MPA's free August Lunch & Learn webinar, "Great Customer Service for Great Animal Outcomes."

An engaging and welcoming customer experience can make all the difference! When shelters and rescues create a positive, engaging environment, it helps homeless animals find loving families more quickly and makes the experience better for everyone involved.

Join Michigan Pet Alliance (MPA) for a fun and practical session with Tanya Hilgendorf, MPA board chair and president and CEO of the Humane Society of Huron Valley. Tanya will share proven tips and easy to implement ideas for building a supportive, people-friendly experience that also improves outcomes for animals. Whether you're greeting adopters, working with volunteers, or creating community connections, this session will leave you ready to roll out the red carpet, for both pets and people!

Registration: This workshop is offered free of cost. To receive the link to join, please complete the registration. The link will be emailed to you. A reminder about the event will also be sent the day before. Can't attend? A recording will be available after the event and all registrants will receive the link via email. 

Michigan Pet Alliance appreciates the partnership and engagement of our corporate members. Give these animal-loving companies your business. They support the work and missions of animal welfare organizations in Michigan.

If you know a business owner who cares about dogs and cats, too, encourage them to join MPA and to become a corporate 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:

• August 2025: Vote - Photo Calendar Contest, online, UPAWS
• August 2025: Pampered Chef Party, online, Great Lakes Boxer Rescue
• August 1: Animal Defenders Gathering, Plymouth, Humane Society of Huron Valley
• August 1: Paw Print: Animal Art Exhibition, Clio, Pet Angel Adoption & Rescue
• August 3: Pedal for Paws Pub Crawl, Muskegon, Noah Project
• August 5: Dancing With Dogs, Grand Rapids, Fig and Friends Pet Rescue
• August 7: 4th Dining 4 Paws, Charlevoix, Charlevoix Area Humane Society
• August 8: Vaccine Clinic, Adrian, Lenawee Humane Society
• August 8: Microchip & Vaccine Clinic, Olivet, Eaton County Humane Society
• August 8-10: Mint Festival Souvenir Booth, St Johns, Happy Feet Pet Rescue
• August 10: How to Care for Outdoor Cats TNR Training, Warren, All About Animals
• August 10: Vaccine & Microchip Clinic, Dearborn, Feline Fund
• August 11: Golf Scramble, Flint, Humane Society of Genesee County
• August 17: TNR Best Practices Training, online, All About Animals
• August 20: Dog Vaccine Clinic, Mason, Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter
• August 30: Distribution Day, Grand Rapids, Pleasant Hearts Pet Food Pantry

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

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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