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During the past several months, mid-Michigan has experienced two catastrophic events: the COVID-19 pandemic and a flood that destroyed homes and required evacuations of more than 10,000 families. As a result, our community experienced economic trauma, physical losses and the emotional stress that accompanies these monumental events. Difficult times bring out the best and worst in people. Locally, we saw unprecedented generosity and compassion from both local and national organizations who responded with financial assistance and other resources to help heal the damage and start putting our community together.
Through all of this hardship, the HSoMC continued our mission to serve animals and help our community. We pivoted and found different but just as meaningful ways to serve people. Our Pet Pantry was expanded to non-shelter locations to provide pet owners with pet food and other supplies. Then, as a result of the flood, we opened our shelter to house the pets of families displaced by the flood. In addition, individual donors stepped up to help along with local organizations such as the Midland Area Community Foundation, Dow Inc., Soldan’s Pet Supplies and Walmart to help us with our Pet Pantry.
While the timing of a full reopening is uncertain, the needs of animals and pet owners remain, and the HSoMC is committed to continue our mission to serve our community. We will adapt to these challenging times through imagination, innovation and the continuing support of our Board of Directors, dedicated staff, generous donors, committed volunteers and our compassionate community.
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HSoMC Seeks to Raise $50,000 with August Mutt-a-ritaville Fundraiser
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During the entire month of August, the HSoMC is throwing a virtual fundraising event titled Mutt-a-ritaville – and YOU are invited to join us on GoFundMe and our social media pages to participate!
Since March 2020, we have faced increased challenges due to COVID-19, forcing us to limit operations for safety reasons. We faced even more adversity in May 2020 when our community was ravaged by a catastrophic flood.
During a time of tremendous hardship, we continued to welcome homeless pets and provide emergency services and shelter to pets and families in need. We provided temporary housing for pets who were displaced during the flood and our Pet Pantry continues to expand its availability for those families who need food for their pets.
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NOW, WE NEED YOUR HELP TO KEEP OUR DOORS OPEN.
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We need your help so we can continue to be a voice for the voiceless.
Our Mutt-a-ritaville virtual fundraising goal is to raise $50,000 by August 31 – and to have fun doing it! Your donation will help us continue our operations and support initiatives such as:
- Extensive medical care, including veterinary exams, microchipping, vaccinations, dental cleanings, X-rays and emergency medical treatment
- Low-cost spay/neuter procedures
- Pet Pantry Network – supplemental pet food for qualifying Midland County residents
Unlike many other animals shelters, the HSoMC does not receive city or county funding. Instead, we rely on operational revenue, private donations, fundraising and grants to keep our shelter running. This year, more than ever, we need your help since adoptions and in-person fundraising were and continue to be adversely impacted.
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And although we operate out of a small, outdated and deteriorating facility that is more than 50 years old, we don’t let that stop us from giving back. We know that our pets play a vital role in keeping communities safe and healthy.
Mutt-a-ritaville events include two social media photo contests with grand prizes for winners. The virtual event will include a grand finale on August 31 featuring giveaways and music.
“We hope that Mutt-a-ritaville will help put some fun into the Midland summer after the recent floods while also helping us keep our doors open,” said Beth Wellman, shelter director of the HSoMC. “To continue to provide a safe haven for homeless pets, we need our community to show its support for pets and residents in need.”
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Local Foundations and Organizations Support Pet Pantry Expansion as Need Increases Due to COVID-19 and Flood
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The HSoMC extends a huge thank-you to the Midland Area Community Foundation, Dow Inc., Soldan’s Pet Supplies, Loyal Paws Crematory, Premiere Pet Supply, Paws to Remember, Salvation Army of Midland, and all of the individuals who donated pet food and supplies to the HSoMC. These donations enabled the HSoMC to supplement and expand our Pet Pantry.
As a result, thousands of pounds of pet food were distributed to hundreds of families at local food pantries and flood distribution centers, including West Midland Family Center, Salvation Army, Meridian Elementary School and Sanford Senior Center.
“The Humane Society recognizes the emotional support pets provide,” said HSoMC board member and Pet Pantry organizer Jesse Donahue. “During stressful times, it is even more important that people be able to provide for their pets. Love, affection and constant companionship from a pet is a true lifeline for many.”
One appreciative family at a local food pantry stated: “We needed dog food, too. When they offered it to us here at the giveaway, we were so incredibly thankful for the donation of pet food to the family center. A lot of places don’t think of it as a necessity, but our dog is our family, too.”
Like many other local nonprofits, the HSoMC has been economically impacted by COVID-19, with dramatic reductions in the organization’s two primary sources of income – adoptions and fundraising. Fundraising has been hit particularly hard due to continued social distancing. Notwithstanding financial challenges, the needs of the animals and people the HSoMC serves continue: No family should have to choose between feeding their family or their pets.
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A generous MACF grant enabled the first drop off at West Midland Family Center. It was such a success that the HSoMC donation has become a routine component.
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The HSoMC delivered pet food and supplies at Meridian Elementary School multiple times after the flood.
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The Salvation Army shared their pet supply donations with the HSoMC for further distribution to pet owners in need.
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The HSoMC van on the move with pet supplies.
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Pet supplies were added to Sanford Senior Center food pantry.
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Dow Inc. donated 14 pallets of dry dog food!
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Soldan's Pet Supplies stepped up with pet supplies!
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If you would like to donate to the HSoMC, we are particularly in need of cat food (wet and dry) and cat litter.
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The BISSELL Pet Foundation has sponsored two Empty the Shelter events in the past three months, resulting in more than 100 animals finding new homes. Dogs were transferred in from shelters in Texas, Saginaw and Clare when those shelters had reached capacity or had been overlooked for adoption. By taking in those dogs, the HSoMC created space for other displaced animals in those locations and gave the transferred dogs a chance for adoption. The HSoMC literally lived up to the event’s name as animals were adopted and the shelter was emptied! Thank you to BISSELL, our staff and volunteers, other cooperating shelters and the adopters who opened their hearts and homes!
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Delilah was in a Saginaw kennel for almost 8 months but was adopted within 24 hours of arriving at the HSoMC!
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The HSoMC staff proudly celebrates the empty dog kennels and a job well done!
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Other lucky adoptees and their new families are pictured below.
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Give Local Midland Surpasses Goal
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The Give Local Midland fundraiser sponsored by the Midland Area Community Foundation (MACF) was held on May 5. Despite this year’s fundraising challenges, the HSoMC surpassed its goal. Donations to this fundraiser go directly to the Animal Assistance Endowment Fund supporting our spay and neuter programs for qualified Midland County residents, our own shelter animals and feral cats. Spaying and neutering is crucial in controlling overpopulation and promoting responsible pet ownership. THANK YOU to MACF for organizing this event and our generous donors!
Spay and neutering directly benefits the animals and our community as a whole by reducing the number of unwanted animals and reducing disease. For more information about the HSoMC spay and neuter programs, see our website at hsomc.org.
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Thank You St. John's Episcopal Church
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The HSoMC extends a big thanks to St. John’s Episcopal Church for a grant dedicated to the purchase of an X-ray machine. This is extremely important on multiple levels. On average, we encounter three animals per week who require X-rays. Now we can perform X-rays onsite, which avoids the discomfort of moving hurt animals and simultaneously saves significant costs. This helps us move toward our goal of becoming more sustainable. THANK YOU, St. John’s!
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Upcoming Events
Please save the dates on all of our confirmed events below.
Cats on Yoga Mats
Friday, September 18
6-7 p.m. with Sarah Nelson
7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. with Keri Kenney
Ashman Lofts
Alignment 8 Yoga & Cycle and Yoga with Sarah Nelson are thrilled to bring you Midland’s fourth annual fundraiser featuring yoga + cats, benefiting the Humane Society of Midland County!
Auction and Garage Sale to Benefit the HSoMC
Sunday, September 20
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
While clearing out your house this summer, please consider donating your items to the HSoMC's auction. We can store your household goods, toys, furniture, sporting goods, tools and more (no clothes please). Drop off items during our business hours, please. Contact Erica at erica.pina@hsomc.org for more information. The garage sale will take place in our storage pole barns across the street from the HSoMC.
Mutt-a-ritaville Virtual Fundraiser
August 1-August 31
We're barkin' away in Mutt-a-ritaville at our month-long virtual fundraiser! Mutt-a-ritaville events include two social media photo contests with grand prizes for winners. The event will also feature a grand finale on August 31 featuring giveaways and music. Look for more information coming soon on our social media channels about how you can participate!
To get more information, suggest an event, or become an event volunteer, please email Erica at erica.pina@hsomc.org.
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Thank you to all of our Ties and Tails Gala sponsors and supporters including our partnership level sponsors below.
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Melanie Kalmar &
James Cordes
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James Fitterling &
Alex Lee
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Thank you to our donors, members, volunteers and staff! And a special thanks to Midland Neighbors for featuring the HSoMC in their monthly issues.
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Photography by Deb Lambesis and Lisa Weldy.
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Adoption Hours: Monday-Friday 12-7 p.m. & Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Intake Hours (By Appointment Only): Monday-Friday 12-6 p.m. & Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
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