Hailey Druart Bunnies-R-Us – Page 23
Black kittens and tabbies need homes Pet Tales Rescue – Page 11
Operation Solo
Two of the dogs they help – Page 18
Icelandic horses at Hestovin Stables Therapeutic Riding Center – Page 13
Scarlett's Cat Sanctuary is up to its whiskers in cuteness with 150+ cats pouncing around West Michigan foster homes! We took in a whole clowder of cats, expecting a big donation—but the family ghosted us, leaving us with a mountain of vet bills. Now, we're on a mission to raise funds for spay/neuter surgeries and fur-raising medical cases.
Every dollar you donate is a lifesaver!
Donate via Venmo @ScarlettsCatSanctuary
PayPal atscarlettscatsanctuary@gmail.com
ScarlettsCatSanctuary.org
Help us turn this ghostly tale into a purrfectly happy ending for our feline friends!
Bunnies-R-Us: Rescuing domestic bunnies can be so rewarding and also so heartbreaking. The number of domestic bunnies being dumped into the streets keeps growing. Fleas and ticks have been so bad this year that the bunnies are getting them and some do not survive by the time we get to them. People don't realize this can be so deadly when the fleas eat away at the bunnies and the bunnies cannot protect themselves when they are in the wild. Surviver was left in a cat carrier in the woods. He was so full of fleas he was losing his hair, and it was full of flea blood. He only made it 24 hours in our care. Please help donate to so we can pay for the medical bills on saving these bunnies that people just dump.
Bunniesrusrabbitry.com
Vemo @bunniesrusrescue
Cash app $bunniesrusrescue
Paypal@bunniesrusrescue@gmail.com. Thank you for caring.
BellwetherHarbor: Join us on September 14th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for our Craft and Vendor Market! Discover handmade items, enjoy direct vendor sales, and savor delicious food from trucks. Don't miss our Bargain Barn Sale with amazing deals.Mark your calendars for our Fall Festival on October 14th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of family and pet-friendly fun with games, raffles, and more.We’re excited to announce that we’re now on Patreon! Support us there for exclusive updates and benefits.
Patreon.com/bellwetherharbor
West Michigan Ferret Connection: What started out in October 2001 taking in two ferrets while living in an apartment and driving a Mazda Miata convertible morphed into 23 years of the West Michigan Ferret Connection. I have been dedicated to advocating for ferrets through rescue, surrender, adoption, education and boarding. I gave up the Miata and apartment a long time ago for a house and minivan. The West Michigan Ferret Connection is a 501c3 non-profit charity.We receive no government or corporate funding.
CELEBRATE WITH US BY DONATING $23
PayPalddmgage@att.net)!
Visit us atwww.westmichiganferretconnection.com. LIKE us on Facebook: West Michigan Ferret Connection. Emailwmfc2001@att.net.
Pleasant Hearts Pet Food Pantry: Final FREE Microchip Clinic Sunday, Sept. 15, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
8274 Alpine Ave NW Sparta 49345. Fifty Rabies Vaccines will be available. No cost, donations accepted, first come first served, while supplies last. Dogs must be leashes, cats must be in carriers.
Please consider making a donation as the need in our community is only growing and we want to help keep all pets with their families!
Venmo: @petpantrygr
CashApp: $petpantrygr
PayPal: @pleasantheartsgr Website:www.pleasantheartspetfoodpantry.org ****We moved to 1035 Godfrey SW Ste A
Pet Tales Rescue: Meet Cookie, a lovable and sweet dog searching for her forever home! This affectionate girl adores kids and gets along great with other dogs. Not only is Cookie incredibly smart, but she's also highly trainable and eager to please. Though younger puppies often steal the spotlight, Cookie has a heart full of love and loyalty just waiting to be shared. Her sweet demeanor and gorgeous champagne-colored coat will steal your heart. If you’re looking for a dedicated companion with a warm, gentle nature, please consider meeting Cookie! Apply atwww.PetTalesRescue.com.
FaithfultoFelines: Looking to add a feline companion to your home? Look no further. We have them in all color varieties and personalities. Are you looking for a cat that minds its own business or one that is up in your business? Shy, outgoing, or somewhere in between, your new best friend is here waiting for you.
www.faithful2felines.com Info@faithful2felines.com 231-773-3030.
Please meet Gene Simmons, Wyatt, Paris, Tic, and Sonny Each of these five wonderful cats has been in our rescue for over six months, in most cases, the majority of their lives. Studies have shown that shelters can be stressful for cats, especially since their stay at the shelter may be the first time they encounter an environment other than the one they came from. While some cats adjust quickly to shelter life, others may remain impacted by shelter stress and, therefore, may not show their true personality.
Although we at Second Chance Cats of West Michigan are committed to giving the cats in our care as much time as they need to become their true selves, we can see the toll taken on some of our cats by not having their own home with their own people. Please keep in mind when you have decided to adopt a new family member, that the shyer, more reserved cats you meet- maybe even those you can’t pet right away- may just need a place where they can feel at home to blossom.
Third Annual SCCWM Rummage (and Bake) Sale
September 7 and September 8 11am to 3pm
Come buy our stuff and pet some cats!
1120 Knapp St. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
info@sccatswm.org www.sccatswm.org
Follow us on social media!
A special thanks to Noah’s Pet Cemetery & Crematory for sponsoring our page.
By Ginny Mikita
As I shared in last month’s column, I have been facilitating a monthly in-person Animal Companion Loss Grief Support Group in West Michigan for many years. Each month, I post an invitation on social media. To ensure folks know what to expect, I include this line: “During our time together, we will gently explore all the feelings - grief, guilt, fond memories - with which we’ve been left and support one another by our presence and sometimes with our words.”
In the course of gently exploring feelings, what often emerges are ways in which attendees have lived with and through those feelings. In the August gathering, after our introductions, I invited participants to close their eyes and/or soften their gazes, if comfortable, and listen to these words by the 13th-century Persian and Sufi mystic, Rumi:
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
What if we were to notice a feeling and rather than run - not walk - from it, we imagined opening the door and inviting the feeling in, offering it a comfortable chair and a cup of tea and asking “What is it you are trying
to teach me?” While this may seem outlandish at first because who in their right mind wants to sit with painful feelings, what this practice does is create a separation between the feeler and the feeling I often hear statements like, “I am heartbroken and will never get over this grief” or “I am unforgivable for not noticing my dog’s symptoms sooner” or “I am mad at the veterinarian who told me my cat’s quality of life had diminished to the point that the only humane thing to do was euthanize her.” Rather than identifying with a feeling - “I am sad” or “I am guilty” or “I am angry” - this practice allows us to imagine sadness, guilt or anger as merely temporary visitors sitting across the table from us. They are not who we are.
Most of us begin to feel uncomfortable and, rather than embrace the feeling as a guest and not a new roommate, we do anything we can to not stay in the moment. We busy ourselves with other tasks, we overeat, we use alcohol or other substances, we engage in other unhealthy behaviors – all of which are temporary escapes and only serve to delay healing. We finish the tasks, we wake up - overfull and/or hungover, and the feeling remains.
What if, with a gentle spirit of welcome and inquiry, we ran toward - rather than away from - the feeling? In my experience, staying present to the feeling allows healing to begin. If you are a journaler, you could frame your discussion with the feeling in a question and answer format. If you prefer to process with others, you are more than welcome to join our monthly gathering with others who are courageously engaging with the feelings that have shown up in the loss of their beloved animal companions.
This being human is hard work. Feelingstemporary guests - may very well be guides from beyond showing us the way to more deeply love ourselves and others as we have unconditionally loved our beloved animal companions.
Ginny Mikita, JD (she/her)
www.animalblessings.love
ginny@animalblessings.love
By Kristina VanOss
Pet ownership in America has reached a record high, with 70% of households hosting at least one pet. This has not gone unnoticed by private equity investors who have poured $51.6 billion into the veterinary sector from 2017 to 2023, and another $9.3 billion in the first four months of this year, seemingly convinced that it had discovered a foolproof investment.
Private equity buys the most successful veterinary practice in an area, then courts the local competing clinics to sell as well. This buy-and-build strategy often looks good on paper, after all, office work can be streamlined by assigning one person to manage the books from multiple clinics, there is access to more resources, and power to negotiate better deals with pharmaceutical suppliers. In theory, this would all seem to benefit clients but the truth of it falls short.
In my own personal experience, as well as other people I have spoken with, clinics under these conglomerates, if anything, have much higher prices. Sometimes, they are shockingly higher. The reason for this pricing is more complicated than just paying overhead on all the bells and whistles offered.
Private equity is a factory for turning out billionaires. It is largely unregulated, and all about monopoly power. Conglomerates are essentially playing with other people’s money so maximizing profit for their private investors is the priority over the needs of the vets, the staff, or your pet.
There are six chains currently controlling the veterinary market. Interestingly, the largest private equity corporate consolidator is Mars, the same entity that brings us M&M’s and other candies. They also make pet food and own on-line pet pharmacies. The second largest conglomerate is National Veterinary Associates (NVA) under JAB a company owned by the second richest family, not in the U.S., but in Germany.
Consolidators such as these seldom change the names of the small clinics they buy, and the names of the chain clinics they own are named to sound like cozy, family-owned businesses. Do you feel snookered yet? It gets better.
This segment of the veterinary industry could be blamed for unnecessary pet death, or at the very least pet loss. Faced with an astronomical estimated vet bill a pet owner cannot afford to pay; the only option may be euthanasia if the situation is urgent and the animal in pain. Sometimes, these clinics offer the option of
accepting the pet as an owner-surrender with the intention of finding a rescue to take on the financial burden. It is a lot of pressure on the already overloaded rescue community that is seldom given a break on costs and must then fundraise for the animal, if they can take it. And what happens when they can’t? These are cruel choices for an owner under emotional duress. The veterinarians offering them must carry a weight on their consciences. No wonder the turn-over rate for vets and staff at these facilities is high. They have no power to negotiate company standards.
My own experience has shown that these clinics sometimes exaggerate diagnoses beyond what is actually needed. Amputation seems to be one particular suggestion quickly jumped to when cage rest or tumor removal is all that is really called for, and much cheaper I might add. But how is a pet owner supposed to know that without paying for a second opinion elsewhere?
On the plus side, what this type of clinic does offer that few independently owned clinics can is emergency care. I took comfort in knowing a new ER clinic is in my area, until my friend relayed the story of his recent dog emergency. His enthusiastic dog discovered a fishing line baited with a small fish hiding a large hook and swallowed it before anyone could stop him. Of course, this would have to happen on a Sunday. When the clinic gave him an estimate of $5,000 for surgical removal, he was shocked but agreed to it for lack of another option. He was lucky to be able to afford what many others could not, even for a best friend. The procedure was a success, but the next day my friend discovered that two sutures had become undone on the dog’s belly. Upon his return trip, he was charged an additional $400 for new sutures. I don’t know about you, but I find this astounding. I cannot imagine this would ever happen at my clinic, which is soon to gain a new client.
The good news is that so far, the majority of veterinary practices are still independently owned and operated by caring vets and staff who still put your pet as their priority. I hope it stays that way. So do ask who owns your vet. Your pets and mine are always more important than the portfolio of any private investor.
As kitten-season tends to do—it came at us quick and hard this year. Kitten fosters tend to embrace this time with a sense of joy, excitement, and of course trepidation (we always want to save more).
As usual though, we found the rescue full to the brim of black cats and tabbies! One thing these two types of cats have in common is they are often overlooked. They can come off as unimpressive, run of the mill, not shiny or flashy—and pictures often just don’t do these kittens justice. They need you to meet them in person! Feel their energy, connect with their uniqueness, and take some time to make that connection that will feed your soul for a lifetime. Here's your chance to admire and appreciate these oftenoverlooked kitties and see the potential in their eyes.
Please visit www.PetTalesRescue.com to view and apply for our available pets!
This page is sponsored in the memory of Dick and Penny Mercer.
Dick and Penny Mercer were lifelong animal welfare advocates. Dick was a founding member of CSNIP, which strives to prevent pet over population and improve the quality of life for dogs, cats, and their care givers with accessible, high--quality, reduced–cost veterinary care.
Both Dick and Penny spent many volunteer hours working with animals in need. It was their wish to keep their legacy alive by supporting animals, long after they were gone.
We are a community-funded nonprofit that provides animal intake and adoption services, supportive resources, and low-cost vet care for people and pets in need. Our shelter and clinic are working hand in hand to offer services and supportive resources that reduce the pet over-population and keep pets in loving homes.
3,659
1,685
410
16,315
97%
3,659 Owned pets were vaccinated at Big Lake Community Clinic
Vaccinating pets help prevent the spread of infectious diseases within the pet population, ensuring a healthier community of animals.
1,685 Pets were sterilized at Big Lake Community Animal Clinic
Sterilizing owned and shelter pets is essential for controlling the pet population, reducing the number of homeless animals and overcrowded shelters.
410 Homeless pets found shelter with Big Lake Humane Society
We provided a safe haven for homeless, abandoned, and surrendered animals, offering them care, medical treatment, and the opportunity to be adopted.
16,315lbs of pet food was given to local families with pets in need
Ensuring that pet owners facing financial hardship can continue to care for their pets, preventing pet abandonment and promoting animal welfare.
Big Lake Humane Society had a 97% save rate
As a private shelter, we never euthanize to make space for more pets, but we do take in difficult cases. We are often faced with the difficult decision of doing what is right for each pet and our community. We do not adopt animals that could be a danger to our community and do not let animals suffer if they have critical or painful conditions.
Community support, encompassing donations, volunteers, adopters, and fundraiser event attendance, forms the lifeblood of Big Lake Humane Society's mission to rescue and safeguard the lives of animals in need. Through the generosity of individuals and businesses alike, vital resources are provided, enabling the organization to offer shelter, medical care, and rehabilitation to animals facing adversity.
By Roger Rittenhouse
Located across from the large Corewell Health complex on East Paris Avenue in Grand Rapids is one of the gems of western Michigan, Hestovin Stables Therapeutic Riding Center, a nonprofit organization. In 2021, Laura Huizenga, saved a former horse farm from development and created Hestovin Stables.
Hestovin is the Icelandic word for horse oasis. The stables enhance the lives of children and adults through safe guided interactions with Icelandic horses. They have a herd of 5 Icelandic horses, Gunnar, Gloa, Jorda, Saer, and Tatari, who were imported from Iceland with the exception of Gloa, who was born in America soon after she arrived with her mom and dad. She is the only one at the stables who does not have a passport. Icelandic horses are unique in the United States. They are about 4 to 6 inches shorter than most American horse breeds, which makes them more approachable for children, but are ridden by adults as well.
Icelandic horses were horses of Norsemen and Vikings. Because the horses traveled on the open-air Viking longboats they were bred to have shorter legs to be more stable in the boats while crossing the Atlantic Ocean to new lands. For over a thousand years Iceland has prohibited other horses from being imported into Iceland, keeping the genetics of the Icelandic horse breed specific and pure. The horses are sturdy and sure footed. They grow thick winter coats and can withstand Michigan winters easier than other horses. They actually prefer to be out in the pastures all winter rather than inside in their stalls. The horses have five gaits (leg movements), two of which are specific to their breed; the tolt, a smooth trot, and the flying pace, both of which make riding them very comfortable. They are social, inquisitive, and enjoy companionship with humans, which makes them great partners for therapy and friendship.
Why are horses good for therapy? Horses are amazing. They can hear your heartbeat when you are four feet away. They are big animals and have big hearts. Their hearts beat much slower than ours. As we near a horse our heart wants to sync with the horse’s, slowing our heartbeat and lowering our blood pressure. There is a Bedouin saying when God made up his jewels he blew his breath in a southerly wind and he created horses. I volunteer at the stables and know that just being around horses is therapeutic. Like cats and dogs, they accept you for who you are. They don’t care what color you are, what sex you are, or how you look. To me volunteering at the stables is therapeutic. Interacting with horses leads to solid friendships. My T-shirt says “My
Icelandic horses at Hestóvin Stables Therapeutic Riding Center in Grand Rapids.
therapist lives in a barn.”
Just by being around the horses, I relax. I enjoy their company. When I was younger, I learned confidence from the horses I was around. It helped my self-esteem and the confidence I learned has helped me all my life. Riding taught me how to be a good partner, how to work together. You learn that horses can do what we want them to do, you just have to let them do it. You learn partnership. You learn to be considerate. You learn to be compassionate. When riding the horse’s movement unites everything from the hips to the shoulders. You learn coordination. I have been in many stables, including thoroughbred stables in the bluegrass around Lexington, Kentucky, and Hestovin stables is the nicest stable I have ever seen. It is clearly a gem in west Michigan.
The stables offer many programs, ranging from reading to the horses, mindfulness workshops, therapeutic riding lessons, and equine assisted learning. On ground lessons are available such as grooming, feeding, and how to safely interact with horses. Individual lessons are available. The stables hold several holiday events, which is a great way to visit and meet the herd. Scholarships are also available. The stables operate year-round and have a heated indoor riding arena. Come experience the power of the horse to teach, inspire, and heal.
Hestovin Stables is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Member Center, which has the highest standards for equine assisted activities and therapies. The team at the stables are PATH certified therapeutic riding instructors (CTRI) and PATH certified equine specialists in mental health and learning (ESMHL) and in addition there is a certified therapeutic recreational therapist. Even volunteers complete a PATH volunteer training.
You can check out all the stables have to offer at their website, Hestovinstables.org, and on Facebook at Hestovin Stables. They are located at 1217 East Paris Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49506. 616 2284140.
By Jane Urbanski
Try to name an animal shelter or rescue that doesn’t struggle to find enough food to keep its residents’ bellies full and its supply shelves stocked. Kind of hard, isn’t it?
Well, now there’s help. Because Harbor Humane Society has recently become an ambassador for the Greater Goods Charities program.
Greater Goods sources surplus food and supplies from manufacturers, distributors and retailers, and makes the products available to qualified and approved 501(c) organizations through ambassadors – like Harbor. These ambassadors ensure that items reach the nonprofits who need them most.
“It came as no surprise to us that, in our first month as an ambassador for what we call our Helping People, Helping Pets Food Bank program for Greater Goods, we had 27 animal rescue organizations sign up,” says Jennifer Self-Aulgur, Harbor’s Executive Director. “There is a Greater Goods pet food ambassador in the Detroit area, but it wasn’t easy for West Michigan area rescues to find volunteers willing and able to drive to the east side of the state for large distribution pickups. Harbor can now help more people and pets by making it much simpler for rescues in our area.”
Pleasant Hearts Pet Food Pantry, based in Grand Rapids, was one of the first to sign up for Harbor’s new program.
“We were elated when we learned that Harbor would be a partner with Greater Good Charities,” says Rachel Jensen, PHPFP President and Founder.“We have already gotten a couple pallets of canned cat and dog food as well as over a hundred pet beds. We are always in need of wet food, and it has gotten very expensive to have to purchase it for our bi-weekly pet pantries when we don’t get enough donated. And we absolutely loved giving our clients a free new bed for all of their pets. That’s a luxury that many of our folks don’t have.”
Del Dozeman, Harbor’s Donations Manager, says being able to help organizations get pet food is so important because it is often a rescue’s biggest cost.
“We are helping them help pets by offering food and other supplies at a drastically reduced cost,” Del says. “Being able to offer animal rescues these items, especially small rescues who have little or no staff, is a tremendous opportunity and an absolute blessing.”
In its first month as an ambassador, Harbor had already received five semi-truck loads, including 48
Harborʼs Del Dozeman (right) graciously accepts a fork lift, donated by Morrison Equipment, to help with distributing pet food and supplies through the Pet Food Bank program.
pallets of dog beds, to distribute. Now – speaking not in terms of pounds or bags, but in terms of truck loads, pallets and skids – Del and a team of volunteers work to get the goods to those in need. What might have once seemed like an excessive amount of surplus food and supplies, impossible toplace, is quickly finding homes with grateful recipients.
“Harbor’s Helping People, Helping Pets Food Bank is an amazing program to help the rescues that are in dire need right now,” says Wendee Hofbauer, Executive Director and Founder of Piper’s Palace, a foster-based rescue for cats and dogs in Zeeland. “With all rescues filled to the brim with cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets, having the resource nearby is going to be a life saver for these pets.Del and his amazing team are working hard to help every rescue that needs them. They are easy to work with, and you know they are there to help with anything you may need.”
Participating rescues pay a very small, per-pound fee for food to help cover freight costs, and must have proper transportation and storage space. Once approved to participate in Harbor’s program, they are given access to a private Facebook page where loads are offered. They simply reply with what they want and make arrangements for pickup.
If your animal rescue is interested in becoming a recipient partner of Harbor’s Helping People, Helping Pets Food bank program, please apply at harborhumane. org, Resources, Harbor Pet Food Bank. Applications are being accepted from organizations throughout Michigan and northern Indiana.
By Amy Venlos
It’s very important to know when to intervene. Knowledge can mean life or death. You want to help, but your actions may cause damage or death.
First, look for the mom and any other kittens; the abandoned kitten may have simply wandered off. If you find a litter of kittens under eight weeks old whose mom is missing, but they’re quiet and healthy looking, leave them alone (unless you have a cat shelter willing to help you) and let mom return. A mother cat can become very stressed if she and her kittens are moved. Instead, do what you can to make them comfortable. (See alleycat. org for more information.)
Second, wait and watch— the mom may be waiting for you to leave. Wait indoors, if possible, but check on the kittens periodically. If they’re fine, they’ll look pink, warm and clean. To be sure mom is coming and going, sprinkle a little flour near the kittens’ nest; paw prints will reveal if the mother has been back. If the mom hasn’t returned after a day, you can probably consider them abandoned.
If you take in the kitten or kittens, educate yourself on how to care for them. A kitten under eight weeks old shouldn’t go to a shelter because of diseases it might pick up from the adult cats and the care required to nurse an unweaned kitten. A rescue or shelter may have provisions to care for the kitten, but they’re likely full to the brim with kittens already. This is where you need to step up! Go to alleycat.org or kittenlady.org for information on what to do, what supplies you’ll need and what to expect.
Never give the kitten cow’s milk. Try milk replacement formula (at most pet stores) or wet kitten food, depending on the age. Place just a little on its tongue to get it interested. Add a bit of water to the wet food if necessary.
Check the kitten out. Does it have fleas? Is it lethargic? Does it have goopy eyes?
Fleas: If the kitten is under two pounds, and especially if the kitten’s gums are turning white, get those fleas off it immediately. (Do not apply any chemicals; it’s too young.) Give it a diluted Dawn dish detergent bath to remove as many fleas as possible; comb it if you have a flea comb. Dry it gently and place it on a heating pad afterward, because the water in the bath is never warm enough for the kitten.
Lethargic: The kitten needs its blood sugar raised promptly, whether it has fleas or not. Before you wash it, give it a tiny bit of Karo syrup immediately then a few more times an hour until it isn’t acting lethargic any longer.
Goopy eyes: Clean its eyes with a cotton pad dipped in warm water, then apply Terramycin ointment (found at Tractor Supply or elsewhere) three times a day until the goop is cleared up.
By eight weeks old, your kitten should be about two pounds, and is ready to be spayed or neutered. If you’ve gotten this far with your kitten, consider yourself lucky. You’ve saved a life.
After seeing the overcrowding in a Muskegon animal shelter, Kendra Boos knew she had to do something.
“I wanted to look at the problem through a different lens and thought maybe if we tried to help owners with financial support that that would help them keep their dogs in their homes,” she said.
Kendra, a vet assistant at Glenpark Animal Hospital, started Operation Solo in July, 2023. The group’s focus is Muskegon County.
The organization is named after a shelter dog who stole Kendra’s heart. Solo had a contagious personality and an unbreakable spirit. The eight-year-old dog was being held for a court case involving neglect. As an outside dog, Solo didn’t do well inside the shelter and was eventually housed outside to wait the court date.
“He was happier outside,” said Jordyn Hallberg, board president of Operation Solo. “He was our focus, our passion for bettering lives of outside dogs.”
The group’s mission is to reduce the number of animals entering shelters because of their owners’ financial hardships. They offer pets supplies including food, treats, leashes, collars, food/water bowls, identification tags and toys. They also offer help with spay/neuter and free microchipping.
“Pets are family. No one wants to give up their dog,” Jordyn said. Animals are her passion, she works at CSNIP’s Fruitport clinic.
Another focus is helping dogs who are kept outside. They offer igloos dog houses, straw and tie-outs (not chains) along with other supplies. A long-term goal is to have the finances to offer fencing so dogs can be off-tether.
Jordyn stressed they aren’t encouraging people to keep their dogs outside, but until mindsets are changed some dogs will be outside. She also said they don’t want people to surrender their dogs to them.
“We want to better their care,” she explained.
Operation Solo, now a nonprofit, just celebrated its first anniversary. “It feels unreal reaching our first-year anniversary,” Kendra said.
In their first year:
* They provided 75 igloos for outside dogs.
* Microchipped close to 200 dogs.
* Supplied ten microchip scanners to the City of Muskegon Police Department.
* Had six dogs spayed and eight dogs neutered.
* Assisted dog owners with vet care totaling $2,115.
* Hosted weekly pantries where dog owners could pick up supplies.
* Gave away close to 1,000 pounds of dog food each month.
* Made weekly care visits to dogs living outdoors in the winter to ensure they had shelter, straw, thawed water, food and more. Jordyn said the dogs get wiggle-butt excited when they arrive for a care visit. They also walk the dogs if the pet owners approve.
When Kendra started Operation Solo, she said she didn't know what to expect. She’s excited about the group’s accomplishments. “I cannot wait to see what our second year holds for us.”
In the first month of their second year, they have donated microchip scanners to police departments in Whitehall and Fruitport. “Our goal is to reunite the dog
Middle: City of Muskegon Police Department accepting 10 microchip scanners with Kendra Boos
Middle: Volunteers for Operation Solo.
Bottom: Oreo, left, and Kyro, two of the outdoor dogs who get weekly visits.
with its owners before it gets into the shelter,” Jordyn explained. The scanners are in the police cars so officers can use them as needed.
Operation Solo is funded through donations.
The group has about 15 consistent volunteers who each have a full time job. Their volunteer hours are in the evenings and weekends.
“It’s our life at this point and we love it,” Jordyn said.
You can follow Operation Solo on Facebook. If you would like to donate, they have a Wish List on Amazon or use CashApp: $operationsolo.
Their email is operationsolo23@gmail.com.
By Jodi Jarvis -Therrian CPDT-KA CTDI Certified Pet First-Aid & CPCR Instructor AKC CGC Evaluator
A Wise ol’ bear named Winnie the Pooh tells us, “Some people talk to animals.Not many listen though.That's the problem.”
In my heart, I believe that we need to listen closely to the silent wisdom animals have to share with us.
“Olaf for President.” That is as political as I get!
Do you remember the line from the movie “Frozen”? What was Olaf's favorite line? It was “I like warm hugs!” That is definitely Olaf’s campaign slogan. Right now, I do believe with his kindness and his easiness he would make an amazing leader and role model for us all.
My dog Olaf has a kitty sister Raven, he also has lots of good dog friends.
Raven loves to sleep by my head, but Olaf, oh no, he has to be down further on the bed. Raven is obsessed with going into my closet, Olaf is petrified of it. Olaf loves the kayak; Raven says no way in heck. Olaf's dog friend Eli loves Speedway. Olaf loves rally and tricks. Eli thinks HIS mom is the best, however Olaf thinks HIS mom is the best! Do you see where I am going with this?
I can honestly tell you Olaf loves his kitty sister with his whole entire heart, and he loves Eli just as much. It is a grand celebration every time Olaf and Eliget to together and they romp with joy. Raven is not mad at Olaf because he likes to kayak. Eli is not mad at Olaf because he thinks his mom is the best. They do not even give the differences a second thought, they just accept each other for who they are.
I truly hope and believe with my whole entire heart that we can all take lessons from our furry friends this year during election time and everything leading up to it. I hope we can remember just because we may believe differently, everyone has a reason for what they believe. I hope that we can learn to still like and respect one another without letting politics get in the way. I believe we need to show love for our fellow man and respect our differences, agreeing to disagree. You don't have to love how someone votes, but the beauty of this country is that we get to vote however we want. What would happen if we stood together instead of apart from one another? I know that Olaf is a happier dog when he has his friend Eli or Raven sister by his side. I hope we can be more like animals, such as Olaf who likes warm hugs and also Winnie the Pooh. We would all be happier if we could just BE.
I believe this is very well stated in the “Tao of Pooh” by Benjamin Hoff,
“While Eeyore frets ... and Piglet hesitates ... and Rabbit calculates ... and Owl pontificates ...Pooh just is.”
I hope we can remember our friendship and our human innate bond with fellow human beings. It is no way to live a life, hating each other. If you see a post you don't like on social, media scroll by it. Think like a dog. Dogs live in the moment. Go chase a ball, go for a run with your dog, laugh and be silly. Please remember the important things. We do not have control over others. We only have control of ourselves and how-to bring joy into the world like dogs do every day.
Let's try to think like dogs and show unconditional love and friendship.
By Amy Pietras, DVM
The American Association of Feline Practitioners has just released updated guidelines for tension between cats: catfriendly.com/tension. This website also has a wealth of information ranging from behavior to pet care, and we strongly recommend cat owners review the free information available, in order to give their cat its best life!
Introducing animals into a new home can be tricky. It is natural for an animal to be wary and nervous when taken to a new place. There is plenty of online guidance, but I’m here to tell you what has worked for me.
I have a multi-cat household, and when I’m bringing in a new pet that is going to stay for a while (either because I’m keeping it or will simply have it for a few months while I work on a medical condition of theirs), I always start by putting the new cat in a room of its own. Every household should have a room with a closed door— even if it’s a bathroom. I keep the cat in this room, visiting it as often as I can, until it seems comfortable there. I make sure this room has scents from my animals—maybe a bed or some toys that I put with the new cat, for it to get used to. Additionally, the cats can smell each other under the door. This could take anywhere from a few days to 3 weeks.
After that, if any of the cats seem to still be hissing at the door or acting agitated, I take it to Step 2. Even if the animals seem to be adjusting well, Step 2 is still valuable in doing. The key to harmony in the household is to take it slow. I’ve learned that the longer I draw out this process, the better the outcome.
Step 2 involves putting the newcomer in a different room, and feeding my cats and spreading catnip in the room that the newcomer was in. This acclimates my cats even more to the newcomer’s scent, while associating it with something positive. Step 2 typically takes less than a week.
When I think the animals are ready to meet, I let the newcomer out of its room, and observe. This is Step 3. There can and likely will be a little hissing and minor swatting between some of them, which is fine as long as there is no outright attacking. Over time they learn who they like and who they choose to keep their distance from. If there is physical fighting I go back to Step 2 and also consider putting calming collars on the animals that aren’t adjusting well.
I return to Step 3 when the animals have settled down and I think they’re ready to try again—typically within a week. There are very few cats that cannot learn to at least tolerate each other and coexist.
I wish you a harmonious life and a multi-cat household.
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Clock Timeless Pets
1469 Peck St., Muskegon, MI 49441 231-722-3721 - www.clocktimelesspets.com
Noah’s Pet Cemetery & Crematory 2727 Orange Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-949-1390 – noahspc@comcast.net www.noahspetcemetery.com
Trusted Journey Pet Memorial 2755 64th St. SW, Byron Center, MI 49315 616-538-6050 – www.trustedjourney.com
A Feral Haven
Supportingferal/communitycatsinOttawaandAlleganCountiesby loaninglivetraps,andprovidingspay/neutervouchersandfood. http://www.aferalhavenmi.org – 616-377-4783 a.feral.haven.mi@gmail.com
Allegan County Animal Shelter 2293 33rd Street, Allegan, MI 49010 269-686-5112 - www.petfinder.com/shelters/MI299.html
Harbor Humane Society 14345 Bagley Street (at US 31), West Olive, MI 49460 616-399-2119 - www.harborhumane.org
Humane Society of West Michigan 3077 Wilson Drive NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534 616-453-8900 - www.hswestmi.org
Ionia County Animal Shelter 3853 Sparrow Drive, Ionia, MI 48846 616-527-9040 - www.petfinder.com/shelters/MI342.html
Kent County Animal Shelter
740 Fuller Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 616-632-7300 - www.accesskent.com/kcas
Pound Buddies Animal Shelter & Adoption Center
3279 E Laketon Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442 231-724-6500 - www.poundbuddies.org
Heaven at Home Pet Hospice — In-home pet hospice, palliative pet care and euthanasia for companion animals 616-498-1316 – doc@pethospicevet.com www.pethospicevet.com
Pleasant Hearts Pet Food Pantry 705 11th St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 info@pleasantheartspetfoodpantry.org www.pleasantheartspetfoodpantry.org
Distribution is every other Saturday, email with any questions
Paradigm Dog School, LLC
Professional dog training and doggie daycare 616-796- 2275 – paradigmds@gmail.com www.paradigmdogschool.com
Bellwether Harbor Animal Shelter and Training Center
PO Box 475 - 7645 W. 48th St. Fremont MI, 49412 Call for an appointment 231-924-9230 www.bellwetherharbor.org
BestPals Animal Rescue Center 13888 Blair St., Holland, MI 49424 Call for appointment, 616-212-3368 www.bestpalsarc.wix.com – bestpalsarc@gmail.com
Big Lake Humane Society - a no kill, non-profit shelter Formerly Muskegon Humane Society 2640 Marquette Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442 231-773-8689 - www.muskegonhumanesociety.org
Bunny Adoption & Rescue Services
www.bunniesrusrabbitry.com Bunniesrusrabbitry@hotmail.com Owner/Founder Diane Dykema
Cannonsville Critters
Michelle Hocking — Helping cats in Montcalm County 989-287-2553 — www.cannonsvillecritters.org
Faithful to Felines
Adult Cat Companionship www.faithful2felines.com Info@faithful2felines.com 231-773-3030
Fig and Friends Pet Rescue
Every pet deserves a chance Facebook.com/figandfriendspetrescue 616-320-2400 — figandfriendspetrescue@gmail.com www.figandfriendspetrescue.org
Pet Tales Rescue
A non-profit, volunteer, foster-based, all-breed dog/cat rescue. Kathy Brown, P.O. Box 88084, Kentwood, MI 49518 616-446-1591 – pettalesrescueboard@gmail.com www.pettalesrescue.com – www.facebook.com/pettalesrescue
Reuben’s Room Cat Rescue
Jeanine Buckner
A no-kill, non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization www.reubensroom.org catrescuereubensroom@gmail.com
Continued on page 22
Cats and Dogs - 21 Fall 2024 • www.catsanddogsmagazine.com
Scarlett’s Cat Sanctuary & Furry Friends Pet Recovery
A non-profit 501c3 in-home based cat and kitten rescue Recovering lost pets & finding homes for the homeless https://www.facebook.com/furryfriendspetrecovery scarlettscatsanctuary@gmail.com
West Michigan Ferret Connection
Rescue - Adoption - Boarding - Education Dee Gage, 616-447-2978 - wmfc2001@att.net www.westmichiganferretconnection.com LIKE West Michigan Ferret Connection on Facebook
C-SNIP
Reduced cost, high-quality, non-profit veterinary services
Spay/neuter, vaccinations, wellness and basic treatments For appointment and more information visit www.csnip.org or call 616-455-8220
Quick Fix Veterinary Clinic
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Affordable routine care,dental cleanings, spay/neuterand more.
1st Micro Greenery
Fresh living micro greens
433 Broadway NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 huntoon@1stmicrogreenery.com www.1stmicrogreenery.com
Wishbone House Thrift Store and Cat Adoption Center
Household items, pet items and more 165 Blue Star Hwy, Douglas, MI 49406 269-455-5247
Laketown Cat Hospital 3604 64th Street, Saugatuck, MI 49453 (269)455-5056 mail@laketowncathospital.com www.laketowncathospital.com
Mercy Veterinary Coalition (The Veterinary Group)
Stacie Kreiser 529 N Lafayette, Greenville, MI 48838 mercyveterinarycoalition@gmail.com Like Mercy Veterinary Coalition on Facebook
Michigan Pet Surgery & Dentistry Clinic
Quality care — Affordable prices www.michiganpetsurgery.com (616) 232-6005 By appointment only
Quick Fix Veterinary Clinic
www.quickfixvet.com
Affordable routine care,dental cleanings, spay/neuterand more.
West Michigan Wildlife Center
Call 616-361-6109 or text 616-606-5805 www.westmichiganwildlife.org westmichiganwildlifecenter@gmail.com
All pet owners like to come home to a pet who is happy to see them. However, over excitement and over stimulation can lead to a puddle on the floor that is no fun to clean up. This is not a house breaking issue, this is a submissive or excited urination issue. With some solid rules and a little knowledge you can stop this from happening.
There are two times that are critical and are the set up for this loss of bladder control. The first is fear of the environment, the second is over stimulation. For example, fear of the environment can occur when the pup has been scolded to harshly for the peeing and then expects the same, which will trigger a submissive state of mind resulting in the loss of bladder control due to fear. In the case of over stimulation, the puppy is just excited to see you and inevitably loses control of bladder.
There are a few helpful tips to decrease or stop this behavior and make greeting your pet a more pleasurable experience. As a general rule you should always rule out any and all medical issues. It’s never a bad idea to contact a vet to make sure the issue is in fact behavioral and not biological. Some biological issues such as UTI’s may be confused with a behavioral issue.
The best practice is “no touch, no talk, no eye contact” for about 15 minutes or until the dog naturally settles down. Once you do interact with the pup, keep the excitement level low. Do a few calm pets palm up scratching under the chin, and walk away. Another good tactic is to ask the dog to think and ask for a sit or a shake in effort to keep the dogs mind on staying calm and cooperative.
Most dogs tend to outgrow this behavior naturally when they reach social maturity (approximately 1.5 – 2 years old). If you find yourself struggling with getting this behavior under control, it is always a great idea to contact a professional trainer to help assist you.
Robert Crough Owner/Professional trainer Paradigm Dog School
My name is Diane Dykema and I am the founder and owner of Bunnies-R-Us Rescue. I’ve always had a passion for animals. I grew up in Caledonia on a farm which had bunnies, chickens, goats, dogs, cats and my biggest love, my horse.I always entered the horse and bunnies into the 4-H fair in Lowell when I was in my teens and younger.
I was always told I had a heart of gold and my love for kids and animals grew as I got older. I had my four children in my early twenties and we had a house full of dogs, cats and bunnies. As life got busier and I wanted to stay home with my kids I started a group daycare.
As my kids grew older and moved on I also had to go out to the working field. No jobs filled the joy of being home and running my own business. Since I was at the age and had a knee replacement, running and kids were not in the cards. I also remarried, and my new husband was not too fond of animals. But he did find his love in bunnies when I decided to get a few of my own. I decided to breed since I had not raised babies before. I learned a lot and I am glad I did this process, but trying to find homes for the babies did become a problem.
After a year, people started to come back and wanted to give up their bunnies. I then had people contact me saying they found a bunny on the streets. I could not let this happen anymore. I then started to accept bunnies from the streets. I went to taking in only two to four at a time to now 40. It grew so fast my heart breaks knowing how many unwanted bunnies are on the streets or people not wanting them and having no place to take them. This is when Bunnies-R-Us Rescue went into full gear and started to help so many bunnies.
I am in my fifth year as a rescue. I have rescued 441 bunnies and adopted out 402. Thank goodness I have had only 23 who needed medical care. I run this business on my own. I have volunteers who help but it never is enough.
Running a non-profit organization is something I never thought I would do on my own, let alone be as busy as it is. I run my business out of my basement, I live in my basement 12 hours to 14 hours a day, 7 days a week. I have not been able to go on a vacation for years. These bunnies need my help and I will not abandon them.
I never have enough funds to spay/neuter all the bunnies. If I had the funds we could maybe stop so many bunnies being abandoned. Please don’t support breeders, these people are just adding to the problem that I am trying to avoid.
How can you help? Adopt, foster, donate and get the word out.
I can’t do this without your help. Every penny counts. It is always about “Saving one Bunny at aTime.”
WaystoContactme:
bunniesrusrabbitry.com
616 617 7710
bunniesrusrabbitry@hotmail.com
Waystodonate:
checks payable to Diane Dykema
3902 Perry Ave Wyoming, Mi 49519
Vemo @bunniesrusrescue
Paypal @bunniesrurescue
Cash App $bunniesrusrescue
This page is sponsored in the memory of Dick and Penny Mercer.
Dick and Penny Mercer were lifelong animal welfare advocates. Dick was a founding member of CSNIP, which strives to prevent pet overpopulation and improve the quality of life for dogs, cats, and their caregivers with accessible, high--quality, reduced–cost veterinary care.
Both Dick and Penny spent many volunteer hours working with animals in need. It was their wish to keep their legacy alive by supporting animals, long after they were gone.
Bladder stone removal
Mass removals
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We’re here to help your family gain access to quality care at an affordable price. We don’t want finances to keep your pet from receiving high-quality surgery and dental care. We are a part-time clinic. We have top of the line equipment and supplies to perform surgery and dentistry services. We are able to offer lower prices than many hospitals by minimizing overhead costs.
If your pet has breathing difficulty, trauma, blood loss. etc., or cannot wait at least 24 hours before needing surgery, you should seek treatment at an ER.