THECONNECTION

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A p r i l 1 9 , 2 0 1 9 - I s s u e 3

N E W B E G I N N I N G S B y P r e s i d e n t a n d C E O , M a t t h e w P e p p e r

As fellow representative of Michigan Humane and our mission, you deserve to know what this organization stands for and how we act on those beliefs.

Michigan Humane impacts the lives of close to 100,000 animals every year through our various activities both in the community and in the field making us the most impactful animal welfare

organization in the state. That’s what makes our work so special. The individuality of each animal is never lost. Each animal is a life and has its own story that we play a part in.

At Michigan Humane we believe that individuality extends to those victims of dogfighting. Because of this belief, in 2018, our advocacy efforts resulted in the passage of Senate Bill 416. SB 416 does two things: (a) creates a bond and forfeiture process whereby dogs confiscated in dogfighting cases are forfeited for disposition if the owner does not pay for care 30 days in advance and (b) allows for the

individual evaluation of dogfighting dogs for placement. It is a chance at life that never existed before. Recently, a series of events happened that allowed us to take advantage of the new bill.

On March 8, investigators from Michigan Humane and the Detroit Police Department raided three homes and confiscated 35 dogs in conjunction with dog fighting activity.

In the past, we could find some pride in the fact that their suffering had ended but any resigned positive feelings would have ended there. That is because prior to January 1st of this year, Michigan law required

dogs confiscated in dog fighting cases to be euthanized – to include first generation offspring.

The dogs from the March 8th raid are being evaluated. That, in and of itself, is a sea of change and something that all of us at Michigan Humane should be proud of. We are all a part of our

successes and this is clearly a big one on behalf of the animals.

We are all heartbreakingly aware of the lives these dogs have had. We also have to be realistic about what that life, that cruelty, has done to them. For many, an end to their suffering through euthanasia is still a likely and appropriate outcome. However, for those that can be safely and humanely placed into

a family, and a new life, there is an opportunity – an opportunity that never existed before this year.

This is something Michigan Humane should be proud of and it is a characteristic of the commitment and compassion that defines our organization and the people who represent it.

STAFF NEEDED FOR THE PURRFECT BOW WOW BRUNCH

Would you like to wear some fancy clothes and gives us a hand at this year’s Purrfect Bow Wow Brunch? If so, speak with your supervisor about helping the event team check-in our guests and getting them ready to bid on auction items on Sunday, April 28th from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Detroit’s Cobo Center.

We are looking for about 10 staff to help us in this role and breakfast and lunch will be provided. Further details will follow for staff working this event, but questions can be directed to Greg Harris at gharris@michiganhumane.org.

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T R I V I AQ. What year was the first Protect-A-Pet clinic?Send your answers to theconnection@michiganhumane.org and the first person to answer correctly gets a free Michigan Humane t-shirt!

M I C H I G A N H U M A N E I N AC T I O N

What do the Red River Flood of 1997, Hurricane Charley in 2004, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, Hurricane Ike in 2008, the Enbridge Oil Spill of 2010, and Hurricane Harvey in 2017 all have in common? The Michigan Humane Society played a role in rescuing and saving pets in all of them! A lot has changed in the realm of animal search and rescue since 1997, with the largest change coming from The National Alliance of State Animal and Agricultural Emergency Response Programs. The NASAAEP,

with funding from USDA Animal Care, convened a series of working groups from 2010 to 2014 and identified animal emergency response best practices that ultimately ensured disaster responder compliance with FEMA resource typing.

So, what does all of that really mean? Well, it ensures that all of those who partake in Animal Search and Rescue, or ASAR, are highly trained and credentialed to a level at which they can be deployed when local, state and national emergency operation center commanders request them.

MHS is in the process of training, credentialing and equipping its very own team of Animal Search and Rescue responders. Originating from the Statewide Response section, these team members come

from CID, Rescue and Statewide Response backgrounds.

Their current training regimen encompasses the ASAR Operations guidelines, which include the following courses: FEMA Incident Command Systems Levels 100 and 200; FEMA Independent Studies Levels 10, 11, 700 and 800; Animal Control, Capture and Behavior, Awareness Level HAZMAT course; Animal Handling Experience; Introduction to Search and Rescue; Animal Emergency Sheltering; Human First Aid and CPR; Pet First Aid; United States Coast Guard approved Safe Boat Handling; Slackwater Rescue; Wildland Fire Safety Awareness for the Animal First Responder; and Animal Decontamination.

Additional ASAR levels include ASAR Technician, which requires: ASAR Operations Certification, FEMA Incident Command System Level 300, Swiftwater Rescue, High/Low Angle Rope Rescue, Awareness Level of Large Animal Rescue, Introduction to Assessment, Fundamentals of Search and Rescue, Wildfire Operations for the Animal First Responder, Compromised Structure Rescue, Wilderness First Aid, and OSHA HAZWOPER (8 hours). An ASAR Specialist, on the other hand, requires the following training: ASAR Technician Certification, FEMA Incident Command System Level 400, Experience as a Team Leader/Commander, OSHA HAZWOPER (24 hours), Operational Level Large Animal Rescue, Wilderness First Responderand Advanced Search and Rescue. These trainings are very intensive and MHS will have the only ASAR Team in the Midwest and will be amongst a limited few nationwide.

The MHS ASAR Team is also fielding new equipment to perform their mission. Dry suits with the associated harnesses, life vests, helmets, boots and gloves are on hand, as well as z-drags with ropes sufficient enough to staff a team of 8 responders. The team is in the process of procuring a 16-foot flat bottom rescue boat with a 20-horsepower

motor, along with two, 2 ½ horse-power motors to propel two existing flat bottom boats.

Once all of the training is completed and rescue equipment is obtained, the team looks forward to quarterly internal trainings to maintain proficiency in their acquired skill sets and will stand ready to respond nationwide if called upon to assist in whatever disaster

may strike in the future.

B y V i c e P r e s i d e n t o f F i e l d S e r v i c e s , A n d y S e l t z

I N T E R E S T E D I N S U B M I T T I N G C O N T E N T F O R T H E N E X T I S S U E O F T H E C O N N E C T I O N ? S E N D YO U R S U G G E S T I O N S

T O T H E C O N N E C T I O N @ M I C H I G A N H U M A N E .O R G

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U P C O M I N G E V E N T SPurrfect Bow Wow Brunch: • When: Sunday, April 28 • Where: Cobo Center - Detroit, MI

Protect-A-Pet Clinic• When: Sunday, May 5 • Where: Balduck Park - Detroit, MI

Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo• When: Friday and Saturday, May 17 & 18 • Where: Detroit Zoo - Royal Oak, MI

2019 Fur Ball• When: Saturday, May 18• Where: Cyrstal Gardens - Howell, MI

Bark in the Park• When: Tuesday, May 21• Where: Comerica Park - Detroit, MI

Mutt March• When: Sunday, June 2 • Where: Edsel & Eleanor Ford House - Grosse Pointe Shores, MI

J O B B OA R D

Annual Fund AssociateClinic Receptionist - Rochester HillsClinic Veterinary TechnicianCustodian - DetroitCustodian - Rochester Hills

Custodian - WestlandCustomer Service Rep - DetroitCustomer Service Rep - PetcoCustomer Service Rep - WestlandDomestic Animal Trainer

Licensed Veterinary TechnicianMission Support Services CoordinatorVolunteer Programs Coordinator

Know someone that would be a great fit for the Michigan Humane team? Check out our job openings at michiganhumane.org/careers