2024 Better Together Award Winners




The 2024 Better Together Awards and Grants Program celebrated people and program that focus on innovation and promote collaboration to improve the lives of companion animals.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Deborah Schutt, immediate past chair and founder of Michigan Pet Alliance (MPA), is a remarkable figure in animal welfare who has dedicated her life to improving the lives of companion animals in Michigan. Her accomplishments make her a deserving recipient of MPA’s 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award.

MPA Tech Coordinator Sara Atkinson (left) and MPA Secretary Michelle Spranger (right) present the Lifetime Achievement Award to MPA Founder Deborah Schutt (center).

MPA Tech Coordinator Sara Atkinson (left) and MPA Secretary Michelle Spranger (right) present the Lifetime Achievement Award to MPA Founder Deborah Schutt (center).

Better Together Removing Barriers Award

Kent County Animal Shelter received a plaque and $3,000 grant for their Stray to Foster program which offers a finder to foster and adopt, successfully reducing the average length of stay from 17 days to 1 day.

Scott MacKenzie (left), Director, MPA presenting Angela Hollinshead (right), Director, Kent County Animal Shelter the Better Together Removing Barriers plaque.

MPA emcee Scott MacKenzie (left) presents the Better Together Removing Barriers Award to Angela Hollinshead (right), Kent County Animal Shelter director.

Better Together Creative Program Award

Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control earned the Creative Program Award and $2,000 grant for its Pet Ownership 101 program, a series of free educational programs to promote responsible pet ownership.

Dana Eldred (left), Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control, receives the Better Together Creative Program award from MPA emcee Scott MacKenzie (right).

Dana Eldrid, Friends of Detroit Animal Control receiving the Better Together Creative Program plaque from Scott MacKenzie

Better Together Fundraising Award

Feline Fund earned the Creative Fundraising Award and $2,000 grant for their Premium Purrs for Felines program, a collaboration with retailers and restaurants.

Tara Tomcski (right), Founder & CEO, Feline Fund receiving Better Together Fundraising award from Scott MacKenzie, Director, MPA

MPA emcee Scott MacKenzie, (left) presents the Creative Fundraising Award to Tara Homcsik-Husak, (right) Feline Fund Founder and CEO.

Michigan Dogs and Cats Advancing Literacy

Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control earned the Michigan Dogs and Cats Advancing Literacy Award and $2,000 grant for their Paws and Pages: A Community Storytelling Project.

Literacy Legacy Fund of Michigan Awarded to Friends of Detroit Animal Care

MPA CEO Sarah Devaney (left) with Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control.

Karen Brocklehurst Volunteer of the Year Award

MPA emcee Scott MacKenzie (left) presents Vengu Lakshminarayanan (right) of Human Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) with the Karen Brocklehurst Volunteer of the Year Award. Vengu was nominated by Tanya Hilgendorf, President of HSHV.

Scott MacKenzie (left) presenting Vengu Lakshminarayanan (right) of Humane Society of Huron Valley the Volunteer of the Year Award.

Animal Control Officer of the Year Award

Scott MacKenzie (left) presenting Abbe Balderstone (right), Saginaw County Animal Care & Control, ACO of The Year Award

Abbe Balderstone (right), ACO out of Saginaw County Animal Care & Control receives the 2024 ACO of the Year Award from MPA emcee Scott MacKenzie (left). Nominated by: Elise Ramsey, Executive Director, Little Traverse Bay Humane Society AND Rachel Horton, Director, Saginaw County Animal Care & Control

Best Friend to Animals Award

Cathy Bissell (left), Founder BISSELL Pet Foundation receives the Best Friends to Animals Award from Sarah Devaney (right), CEO, Michigan Pet Alliance.

Cathy Bissell, Founder BISSELL Pet Foundation (left) receving Best Friend Award from Sarah Devaney (right), CEO, Michigan Pet Alliance

Legislative Award

Senator Dayna Polehanki (left) receiving the Legislative Award from Deborah Schutt, (right) Founder, Michigan Pet Alliance

Senator Dayna Polehanki, (left) receives the Legislative Award from Deborah Schutt, (right) Founder, Michigan Pet Alliance.

Onsite Dog Training Grant

Awarded to Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit

Onsite Cat Training

Awarded to Cherryland Humane Society

Scentwork for Shelters/Foster Homes Grant

Awarded to I Heart Dogs Rescue & Animal Haven