Eleven rescue groups awarded certification by the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance

Eleven rescue groups have been certified by the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance as following Best Practices and upholding a Code of Ethics. This wholly volunteer program is designed to:

• Save more lives and maximize the capacity of animal shelters
• Establish best practices and a code of ethics
• Encourage more collaboration between rescues and shelters
• Advance Michigan to become a No Kill state

"Shelters" and "Rescues" are not one in the same

The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development is responsible for the oversight of 188 licensed animal shelters. The public should keep in mind that there are different types of shelters – not for profit, municipal, traditional open admission, traditional limited admission, no kill open admission and adoption guarantee limited admission and sanctuary.

In the case of animal rescues there has not been up until now an organized structure to establish best practices or provide a model for the rescue community. Rescue organizations, most of which use a home-based fostering system and consist mainly of animal-loving volunteers, are often left to re-create the wheel or learn the ropes through trial-and-error.

Certified rescues are those that employ best practices in their operations, including standards for animal care, preserving animal records and maintaining financial reports for the organization. Certified rescues also operate according to the Michigan Certified Rescue Organization Code of Ethics. These ethics dictate transparency, honesty, respect and operations that further the goal of ending the killing of healthy and treatable homeless cats and dogs in Michigan. - Michigan Rescue Certification Program – August 17, 2012, page 5.

Apply to certify

Applications to become a certified rescue will be available on March 1st for a second round of rescues to be considered for certification. See www.michiganpetfund.org/rescue-certification/application for more information.

Congratulations!

Eleven rescue organizations met the standards set forth in the certification program and are representatives spanning southeast Michigan.

The 5-Star Platinum list recognizes those that go above and beyond. Two of the eleven certified organizations achieved this 5 star rating and include All About Animals (Warren) and NBS Animal Rescue (Madison Heights).

1. All About Animals Rescue, Warren - 5 star!
2. Canine Companions Rescue Center, Clarkston
3. Furry Friends Rescue, Inc., Brighton
4. Leuks Landing Inc., Ann Arbor
5. Last Chance Rescue, Howell
6. Michigan Orphan Kitten Rescue, Saline
7. NBS Animal Rescue, Madison Heights - 5 star!
8. PapAdopters & Placement Service, Wolverine Lake
9. Paws for Life Rescue and Adoption, Troy
10. Richland Animal Rescue, Richland
11. Up-Cycled Pets, Three Rivers

It is our expectation that, with the establishment of standardized practices within the certified rescue community, shelters will eagerly embrace collaboration with these organizations, which will greatly benefit the homeless pet community. - Michigan Rescue Certification Program – August 17, 2012, page 3.

Licensed shelters who follow best practice

Although the program was targeted for home-based rescue groups, four licensed shelters applied and are acknowledged for their efforts to follow best practices:

1. Animal Welfare Society of Southeastern Michigan, Madison Heights
2. Eaton County Humane Society, Charlotte
3. Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue, Belleville
4. Sanilac County Humane Society, Carsonville