Several years ago Chippewa County, Michigan, had an animal shelter that killed just about every cat and kitten and dog and puppy that made it inside the building. It was privately managed by brutal individuals that were totally heartless. They would pile dead animals in a corner and ask for animal control to come to collect their day's carcasses of destruction.

A group of concerned animal folks began to have bi-monthly meetings hoping to change what they considered to be mass murder of their county's companion animals. After many letters written and many public education events and many Chippewa County Commission meetings attended by the members of this group, the country agreed to spend the money to erect their own shelter and to hire their own staff. At a time when money was extremely tight - the County Commission took a very bold step.
I am SO PROUD to say that I was a part of the core group that attended those meetings and did her best to convince our county commissioners to make changes where so many didn't believe changes were necessary. A shelter manager was hired that took her job to heart and made it her goal to have our public animal shelter create and enforce a 'no kill' policy. She got her wish. Please stand with me to applaud the Chippewa County Animal Control Shelter and it's manager, Holly Henderson, for having the third highest 'save rate' in the State of Michigan. 

Shelter Manager Holly Henderson, states she is very proud of the shelter's ranking.
"We have worked very hard to ensure no healthy adoptable animal is euthanized at our shelter. I credit this success in part to financial assistance we receive through FOCAS who sponsors our rigorous spay and neuter program, and Guardian Angels for Animals who covers all medical costs for shelter residents. I would also like to thank our amazing staff who goes above and beyond their job description and our phenomenal group of volunteers, who dedicate their time to not only the animals' care, but promote them in our community and beyond.  I also can't say this enough, but we are only as great as our community allows us to be, so a big thank you to our County Commissioners and the general public, for your support and commitment to the homeless animals in Chippewa County."

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I have NO WORDS to completely express my unbridled joy. It is unheard of for a publicly funded shelter to have a 'no kill' policy and I have the distinct pleasure to live in one such county.

Most importantly, DON'T EVER GIVE UP - NEVER! I live in a small farming community with few tax dollars and an historical mind-set that animals are animals - no big deal. Change CAN take place. It REALLY and honestly can take place. DON'T EVER GIVE UP!

We are one world and one humanity. Far or near, what happens to the least among us affects all of us. My wish is that when I no longer walk this planet my feet had tread gently on the tender hearts and souls of our animal friends.