Community answers humane society’s call for foster homes, more still needed
HARBOR SPRINGS — Within two hours of the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society putting out an urgent call for foster homes on Monday, community volunteers had stepped up and fulfilled the need.
“We’ve been really pleased with the response so far,” said Jessica Evans, communication and marketing coordinator at the humane society. “People in this community are wonderful. When we have a need and we put it out there, people respond in a big way and that’s very much appreciated.”
The humane society asked for those interested in fostering dogs as they’re preparing to welcome several Detroit-area dogs rescued from a suspected dogfighting operation.
Six dogs were transferred to the humane society on Monday, and shelter staff said they expected more to arrive in the near future.
“We are so grateful to be trusted with these beautiful souls who have been through so much,” said Little Traverse Bay Humane Society Director of Operations Elise Ramsey in a statement. “Many of us have connections to the city of Detroit and have experienced firsthand how heartbreaking this work can be. Already overloaded agencies are tirelessly putting in the work to educate, offer resources and prosecute when appropriate. Unfortunately, so many of these operations are impeded by animal placement, and we couldn’t let that stop lives from being saved. Although we literally have no open space, we just couldn’t say no to taking in some of these survivors.”
The humane society is working with the nonprofit Bark Nation in a situation involving the removal of 133 dogs from multiple locations in Detroit in January. According to the humane society, most of the dogs were found to be living outdoors with little to no shelter and chains attached to their necks. Most will require immediate medical attention.
According to Bark Nation, they deployed 66 responders to assist local, state and federal law enforcement officers with the documentation and removal of the dogs in what is believed to be the largest operation to combat dogfighting in Michigan’s history.
The local foster homes were needed for both the new arrivals, which Evans said were mainly dogs 6 months old and younger, as well as for dogs already at the shelter.
The humane society will transport an additional six dogs up north later this week. The organization is still seeking foster homes as more dogs are scheduled for transport.
“We had a really good response so far (Monday),” Evans said. “However, with this unknown number of other dogs that are going to be coming up here soon, anybody who is possibly interested in fostering, if they could reach out to us that would be very helpful. If we have an approved foster application for them, if we have the need arise and we can contact them when we are in need, it’s really, really helpful not to be scrambling at the last minute.”
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Anyone interested in fostering can contact foster coordinator Shannon Graves at 231-347-2396 or sgraves@ltbhs.com.
“We are so fortunate to have an incredible community who immediately stepped up to help us move many of our current animals into homes and make room for the new ones, but we are still in need of additional fosters,” Ramsey said. “If ever you’ve considered fostering, adopting, or even having a dog over for a sleepover, you could truly help us to save more lives by doing that now. If you can’t bring an animal into your home, we can still use your help. Share the word about our available dogs, drop off a bag of dog treats, collars, food or a monetary donation. Every little bit helps. We are so excited to get these dogs up north and into new homes of their own!”
For information on fostering or to make a donation, go to www.ltbhs.com or call 231-347-2396.
— Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Community answers humane society’s call for foster homes, more still needed
