Position Statements

Michigan Pet Alliance believes every animal has the right to high quality and affordable veterinary care. The veterinarian shortage in Michigan is causing animals to suffer while waiting weeks, even months, to be seen. Delays in obtaining spay and neuter services will only further contribute to overpopulation and compound the scarcity of veterinary services. 

 

Telemedicine provides a means of access to services for those animals who may not be able to receive care otherwise. Advances in telemedicine technology make it possible to establish a safe veterinarian-client-patient relationship in order to provide routine care and to triage emergent concerns when veterinary services are unavailable due to being in a remote location or a shortage of veterinarians accepting new patients in the area.

Public and private policies, as well as laws, that ban or restrict dog ownership based upon a dog’s known breed, perceived breed or appearance negatively impact individuals and society at large in many ways. Breed discriminatory laws are bad public policy solutions and have been shown to be ineffective at protecting the public and are costly to enforce. Studies have repeatedly shown that these laws and policies do not keep communities safe. Rather they deny individual dog owners equal opportunity, cause strife and conflict between neighbors, and in some situations have resulted in family pets being forcibly removed from their homes.

For these reasons Michigan Pet Alliance and its members are vehemently opposed to any law or policy, public or private, which restricts ownership of a certain dog based upon the breed or perceived breed of that dog.

Further, Michigan Pet Alliance and its members encourage the adoption of comprehensive breed-neutral dangerous dog/reckless owner laws and policies which ensure due process protections for owners, encourage responsible pet ownership and focus on the behavior of both dog owners and dogs.

Finally, Michigan Pet Alliance and its members encourage the immediate repeal of any breed specific provisions in current laws or policies, both public and private.

MPA believes that no companion animal should live their life in a cage or kennel, or as a strictly outdoor animal, aside from community cats and barn cats. It is well-proven that animals that live long-term/life-long in cages are known to suffer emotionally, mentally, and physically. This applies to animals used in research; animals kept as show animals; animals kept for breeding purposes; animals used in entertainment; and dogs used for specific jobs such as guarding and hunting. Homeless and abused dogs and cats should be placed in loving, responsible homes, or home-like settings, and be cared for by human families.

Further, every shelter and rescue should pay close attention to an animal’s length of stay and pathway planning as a part of population management. It is critical to identify and eliminate bottlenecks to get an animal to a positive outcome as quickly as possible to best protect their physical and mental health, prevent shelter overcrowding, and make room for other animals in need.

Length of stay should be based on individual animal needs, sheltered only as long as necessary to make them adoptable and get them placed. Animals with medical or behavioral needs that might prevent adoption should have appropriate treatment plans developed and implemented.

Time in a shelter or rescue should only be viewed as a temporary and brief “pit stop”. While animals may linger in shelters due to adoption and transfer rates, each organization and rescue group should do everything within their resources to publicly promote adoptable animals; be easily accessible and welcoming to the adopting public; follow progressive and inclusive adoption practices; and offer good customer service to help ensure that move to an appropriate and loving placement as soon as possible.

Burdensome screenings filled with long applications and other red tape, required appointments for adoptions in shelters, and long delays in responding to public inquiries regarding adoptable animals create unnecessary barriers and bad will with a public trying to make the ethical and responsible choice of adoption and helping save a life.

When an outcome is known, the animal should be moved to that outcome as quickly as possible. This includes not just adoptions and transfers, but returning lost animals to their owners, return-to-field, and the euthanasia of animals considered too dangerous or unhealthy to be placed or transferred.

Abused animals held during prosecution cases should be placed in foster care whenever possible and legal, and civil forfeiture should be pursued to prevent animals from an extended shelter stay that can harm their physical and mental health.

Only untreatable unadoptable animals should be placed in sanctuaries and only so in sanctuaries that provide housing and care consistent with the 5 Domains.

Michigan Pet Alliance is opposed to the elective declawing of cats. Declawing a cat is not a trivial procedure similar to trimming fingernails, but an amputation of the third bone in each toe. The procedure can lead to physical, emotional and behavioral complications, including inappropriate urination, biting, chronic back pain and overgrooming.

 

Scratching is a natural behavior for cats, and a cat’s claws are a vital part of her anatomy, essential to balance, mobility and survival. Problem scratching is best addressed through the use of behavioral modification.

Michigan Pet Alliance is opposed to the breeding and sale of companion animals for profit. Commercial breeding encourages a frequency of pregnancies that is unhealthy for the mother, utilizes breeding programs that perpetuate hereditary defects, and increases the likelihood of animals being kept in unsanitary conditions.  

 

Dogs bred in these facilities often spend their entire lives in stacked, cramped wire cages, producing litter after litter until their bodies wear out. Dogs in commercial kennels often lack human contact, protection from extreme weather, adequate veterinary care, and opportunities to exercise.

 

Commercially raised puppies frequently suffer from genetic defects, injuries, infections, and diseases. Inadequate socialization and the trauma of transportation at an early age can lead to ongoing behavioral problems.

 

Pet shops sell puppies for thousands of dollars to consumers unaware of their inhumane background. Many consumers are faced with significant veterinary bills or even the death of their puppy soon after purchase. In a 10-year study of more than 5,000 puppy buyer complaints received by The Humane Society of the United States, Michigan ranked 6th in number of complaints about puppies purchased from pet stores.

 

Consumers can put a stop to harmful breeders by adopting from an animal shelter or rescue group, or purchasing from a humane and responsible breeder that can be carefully screened in person. Responsible breeders do not sell their animals to pet stores or use third party sellers. Instead, responsible breeders sell directly to the new owner to ensure a successful placement.

 

Michigan Pet Alliance supports laws prohibiting the retail sale of commercially raised companion animals.

Michigan Pet Alliance (MPA) endorses the practice trap-neuter-return (TNR) as the most humane and effective way to manage community cats, addressing overpopulation, reducing nuisance complaints and preventing the spread of disease. 

 

TNR involves humanely trapping community cats which are then evaluated.  Healthy cats are then sterilized by a licensed veterinarian, vaccinated against rabies and distemper, and then returned to the location at which they were found. The tip of one ear is often clipped at the time of sterilization surgery, as this is the universally recognized indicator that a community cat has been sterilized and vaccinated. In many instances, a colony caregiver provides food and shelter in a safe location, and routinely observes the health of colony cats. If new cats join the colony, they are also trapped, sterilized, vaccinated and returned.

Relocation of outdoor cats should only be used as a last resort.  Unless the cats are in imminent danger, they should go back to the territory in which they were found.  Taking a cat out of his or her home area and relocating to a completely unknown location can cause undue suffering.  Further, a stable, largely sterilized colony will shrink over time.  Whereas creating a sudden vacuum will create space for new cats to enter the area and will increase fertility rates of any unsterilized animals.  Kittens and easily observable friendly cats may be put up for adoption. 

While some have concerns about outdoor cats on ecosystems, TNR is actually the only viable way to address population concerns. Further, scientific re-examination of alarmist reports on the impact of cats on bird populations have been dispelled.  In fact, some studies show that outdoor cats can have a protective value on bird populations by preying on rodents that invade bird nests. 

MPA opposes trap and kill methods, as they are not just inhumane but proven to be ineffective at stemming overpopulation. MPA opposes feeding ban ordinances, which punish responsible caregivers and undermine efforts to care for barn cats and community cats. MPA also opposes housing feral cats in animal shelters beyond initial assessment, spay/neuter and recovery time, in accordance with the Association of Shelter Veterinarians Guidelines. 

MPA urges government and private entities to adopt laws and policies which allow the implementation of TNR programs for community cats within their shelters, jurisdictions and communities so as to promote the effective, efficient, and humane management.

Michigan Pet Alliance (MPA) believes that outreach to pet-owning citizens in underserved communities is essential for promoting responsible pet ownership practices. This outreach is a key component of a healthy animal welfare system designed to prevent overcrowding in shelters and rescues while benefiting both animals and humans. Through accessible spay/neuter programs, education on responsible pet ownership and care, return-to-owner (RTO) initiatives, rehoming support, affordable veterinary care, and behavior support through fear-free training opportunities, outreach efforts foster proactive intervention within the community.

Additionally, outreach provides vital resources and services that help establish trust between animal welfare professionals and local residents. Outreach serves as a safety net, offering comprehensive support to promote a healthier pet population. These programs also create opportunities to identify households in need of additional resources and to address potential issues, such as:

• Negligence or cruelty
• Criminal activity
• Dangerous dogs
• Indiscriminate breeding of animals

Community outreach programs also play a vital role in ensuring the health and well-being of humans. By addressing socio-economic barriers to resources, support and education, these outreach services not only enhance the quality of life for pets, but for people as they can improve mental and physical health, increase empathy and self-confidence in children, and alleviate loneliness and isolation. Such initiatives are crucial for creating compassionate, inclusive communities where all people have the opportunity to experience the profound benefits of the human-animal bond.

Michigan Pet Alliance is opposed to the use of live companion animals used in laboratories for research/testing and killing animals solely for the sake of such. 

Though no official record exists, it is believed that tens of thousands of dogs, cats, and rabbits are kept in laboratories and used for research and product testing.  When the experiments are complete nearly all are put to death. 

Companion animals are highly sentient, social, and intelligent animals who have been bred for millennia to live alongside humans.  Living indefinitely in isolation in confined housing and being exposed to experimentation almost always involves some level of pain, distress, discomfort, and inability to express normal species-specific behaviors, inconsistent with the Five Freedoms. 

While the use of companion animals continues, all efforts should be made to maximize animal welfare, based on the Five Freedoms, beyond the minimal government regulatory standards.  All animals should receive prompt and sufficient medical treatment and pain reduction by trained professionals when sick or injured or be euthanized when pain and suffering cannot be mitigated with veterinary care.

When there is no health or safety threat to people or other animals, animals who have been retired from research should be made available for adoption to state-registered shelters, rather than being killed at the end of the study. 

MPA also believes animal research should be transparent, making public the number and type of animals used by both public and private institutions. 

Conversational/open adoption is a compassionate, effective way to connect homeless animals with loving homes while making the process enjoyable and accessible for adopters. Unlike traditional methods involving extensive paperwork and rigid criteria, open adoption focuses on creating a good match through meaningful conversations. This approach prioritizes the needs and preferences of both the adopter and the animal, focusing on education and fostering trust and a shared commitment to the pet’s well-being.

Adoption counselors use open-ended questions to understand the adopter’s lifestyle, experience and expectations. Topics like daily routines, family environment, and preferences for an animal’s energy level or temperament are explored. This dialogue also highlights the animal’s specific needs, such as medical care or behavioral tendencies, and the resources required to meet these needs, ensuring a thoughtful match.

By removing barriers like lengthy applications, home checks and vet record requirements, the process becomes more inclusive, attracting adopters who may provide an excellent home, but feel intimidated by traditional methods or lack certain documentation. This streamlined approach is particularly valuable for finding homes for harder-to-adopt animals by broadening the pool of potential adopters.

Ultimately, open adoption, based on conversation rather than a pass/fail checklist, shifts the focus from scrutinizing adopters to supporting them, creating lasting, happy matches for both pets and people.

Michigan Pet Alliance fully supports the Fear Free movement. Animal shelters, veterinary clinics, boarding facilities, groomers, pet daycares and any location where there is a gathering of cats and/or dogs can produce a fearful and stressful environment for the animals. These environments may introduce confinement, new people and animals, loud noises, unfamiliar voices, strange smells, loss of family, home and familiar routines, invasive medical or grooming care and handling, and loss of choice and coping strategies inherently causing fear, anxiety and stress.

While some animals adjust easily to these environments, most experience some level of fear, anxiety and stress. This is particularly true for animals with prior trauma and/or less socialization. Fear, anxiety and stress not only cause emotional distress and discomfort, but they also make animals more vulnerable to behavior problems and disease. Stressors can also cause animals to be more difficult and dangerous to handle and more difficult for those in shelters to be adopted, causing longer length of stay and increased risk for euthanasia. 

To reduce fear, stress and anxiety in animals, for the emotional comfort, health and well-being of animals in these environments, and to protect people from injury, Michigan Pet Alliance supports the requirement that all volunteers and staff who work with dogs and cats become Fear Free certified and that Fear Free practices are integrated into policies and procedures related to animal care, handling, and internal and external housing. Michigan Pet Alliance supports, to every extent possible, changes and improvements to facilities’ physical infrastructures to support a Fear Free environment. Fear Free continuing education should be required annually. 

MPA supports force-free, fear-free dog training and behavior management methods that encourage desired behaviors without using pain, physical punishment, or intimidation.

This position is consistent with the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, other leading experts, and mounting research that shows positive, force-free methods are the most effective in creating long-lasting behavior improvement.

Force-free training includes:

1. Positive Reinforcement: Rewarding desired behaviors with treats, praise, toys, or playtime to encourage dogs to repeat those behaviors.
2. Clicker Training: Using a clicker as a marker to signal to the dog that they’ve done something right, followed immediately by a reward.
3. Building Trust: Creating a positive, trusting relationship between the dog and the trainer, which enhances the learning process.
4. Focus on Understanding: Training is about teaching the dog what you want them to do, rather than just correcting unwanted behaviors.
5. Gradual Progression: Training sessions are typically kept short and positive, gradually increasing difficulty as the dog learns.
6. Avoiding Fear and Stress: Emphasizing a calm, safe environment to help dogs feel secure and open to learning.
7. Avoiding Painful Aversives: Current research indicates painful tools such as shock, choke, and prong collars are linked to an increase in psychological damage, physical injury, and the development of fear- and anxiety-related behavior problems such as reactivity and aggression.

Force-free, fear-free training promotes a collaborative approach between handler and dog that improves behavior, strengthens the human-animal bond, and supports lifelong, safe, trusting relationships between dogs and their people.

MPA believes gas chambers are inhumane and should be banned at the state level.

Gas chambers are a method used to kill companion animals where a chamber is filled with carbon monoxide or dioxide until the animal inside is asphyxiated. At one point, many gas chambers were used in Michigan. The last county to use this inhumane method banned them in 2016. As of March 2024, only the states of Wyoming and Missouri had active gas chambers in use.

The AVMA (American Veterinary Medicine Association) states that euthanasia by injection (EBI) is the preferred method to euthanize dogs, cats, small animals, and horses. All national veterinary and humane organizations accept EBI as the most humane method currently available for euthanasia. When performed properly by trained personnel, EBI is painless to the animal and begins to take effect within seconds. The animal loses consciousness before vital organs begin to shut down. Gas chambers can take 25 minutes or longer, and their vital organs begin to shut down before the animal loses consciousness. This causes unnecessary suffering and distress.

Gas chambers are ineffective and inefficient for use on most companion animals. The gas chamber cannot be humanely used for most animals that require euthanasia, including the old, very young, sick, pregnant, or injured. Under the best of circumstances, animals can only be gassed one at a time, and the 25 or more minutes it can take to end that animal’s life can be agonizing.

Studies show that gas chambers are also more expensive than EBI and pose a risk to shelter staff. Carbon monoxide is highly toxic and is one of the leading causes of accidental poisoning in the U.S. Shelter workers have been injured and even killed by malfunctioning gas chambers.

Additionally, EBI provides the dignity shelter workers deserve when dealing with the stressful and sad reality of euthanizing companion animals.

Although Michigan currently has no active gas chambers, the option is still available without legislation in place.

Michigan Pet Alliance (MPA) endorses pediatric spay/neuter for dogs and cats. Pediatric spay/neuter, also known as early-age spay/neuter, refers to the practice of sterilizing cats and dogs at a young age, typically starting at 8 weeks old.

Pediatric spay/neuter has been proven to be safe and effective, significantly reducing the risk of certain cancers and other health issues in cats and dogs. Additionally, it prevents accidental litters that can occur while waiting for pets to reach full maturity. Pediatric spay/neuter also helps decrease the number of animals that end up in shelters and, ultimately, reduces the number of animals euthanized due to overpopulation.

As the human population continues to grow in the U.S., so does the pet population. Today, roughly 70% of households own one or more pets, totaling hundreds of millions of companion animals, making animal control services more important than ever. Public education and support services, humane care of homeless and abused animals, and enforcement of sound laws are critical to community health and safety.

Unfortunately, animal control services are often insufficiently funded, and frequently the first line reduced or eliminated in tight budget years. As a result, localities are dramatically under-funding their animal control services, creating compounding problems and unsafe situations for both their human and animal community members. Rather than cost savings, this results in cost-shifting to less obvious places that weakens the overall fabric of a community.

Funding decisions are commonly based on misguided arguments around animals v. people. Pets are our family, essential to our well-being. Services that support pet families, protect animals from harm, and prevent overpopulation and dangerous situations save more tax dollars than they cost and improve community well-being.

Companion animal care and control-related services should include:

• effective field enforcement of local ordinances
• protection from animal cruelty
• robust lost and found services
• humane, no-kill sheltering and adoption
• free/low-cost spay/neutering
• community cat programs (Trap, Neuter and Return, barn placements)
• pet guardian support such as free pet food, veterinary care, and behavior assistance
• public education
• restrictions on intentional breeding (not breeds)

Though shining exceptions exist, many communities suffer major service gaps within systems stretched too thin. Too often staffed by volunteers and/or employees who are underpaid, overworked, under-trained, and emotionally drained. As animal welfare and human welfare
are inextricably tied, under-resourced communities that need comprehensive animal control services the most, often have the least.

While not-for-profit organizations provide a crucial role in augmenting animal welfare and pet owner support, the role of government in protecting the health and welfare of a community should not be left solely to the inclinations of private groups (many of which are also poorly
funded, unregulated, and/or unaccountable to the community at large).

Effective, adequately funded animal care and control services, led by expert leaders and backed up by comprehensive animal control ordinances, all rooted in current best practices, are key to the well-being of the entire community.

Shelter Euthanasia

The term euthanasia has been inaccurately used in sheltering for decades.  The definition of the word contains two requirements:  painless death and act of mercy. MPA supports the correct usage of the term. Ending an animal’s life which does not meet the two requirements is not euthanasia.  Killing is defined as an act of causing death, deliberately.

 

MPA supports the no-kill movement, which seeks to eliminate the killing of healthy and treatable (manageable or rehabilitatable for medical or behavioral conditions) companion animals in our communities.

 

Euthanasia should be reserved to end an animal’s irreparable suffering.  Suffering includes physical pain that cannot be remediated, as well as psychological suffering in which the animal’s quality of life is unacceptable – such as animals that are a danger to the community and life would require indefinite confinement and/or isolation. In either case, experts in behavior and/or veterinary medicine should be involved in the evaluation.

 

Euthanasia of companion animals should only be performed by injection, with two certified technicians present to ensure safety and comfort, in accordance with veterinary medical standards for euthanasia by injection using Fear Free^© handling standards that minimize stress, fear, and physical pain and discomfort.

 

Organizations should create written policies on the conditions that warrant euthanasia and the evaluation and decision-making process. Organizations should also have clearly written procedures for those who perform euthanasia. All euthanasia technicians should receive proper training and certification, as well as access to emotional support.

 

Euthanasia should only be used as an act of mercy, administered with respect and sensitivity without pain or discomfort. Once a decision is made, animals should be euthanized as soon as possible to avoid additional suffering.

 

Healthy cats not suitable for in-home placement should go through trap, neuter and return (TNR) or be placed in a “working cat” or barn program. (See MPA Community Cats Position Statement) 

 

While in care, all animals, regardless of condition and eventual outcome, should be provided with quality welfare according to the Five Freedoms. 

 

Owner Requested Euthanasia  

 

Owner requested euthanasia should follow the same medical and ethical standards as those for shelter animals – reserved to alleviate suffering for those with severe or terminal medical conditions or those who are psychologically suffering and are a danger to the community.  

 

Owners with animals with treatable conditions should be offered assistance with veterinary care or relinquishment to the shelter as an alternative to euthanasia. Owners with animals in a suffering state should not be turned away without options.

 

Out of respect for the emotional bonds humans have with their pets and for the comfort of the animal at the end of life, euthanasia services should allow for the presence of a willing owner.  Further, because owners who use euthanasia services through shelters are often low income or reside in communities where it difficult to access veterinary care, we believe allowing owner presence is an important equity issue.   

 

Only animals surrendered with the stated intent for euthanasia, with behavioral or medical assessment for such need, should be documented as owner requested euthanasia in shelter reporting.

 Whether running a public or private facility, shelter leadership requires a diverse set of leadership skills to ensure the well-being of the animals, the satisfaction of the staff and volunteers, adopters and other customers, the community, and the overall success of the shelter.

Key leadership skills for an animal shelter director:

1. Servant Leadership Orientation: Being a mission-driven leader focused on the greater good rather than personal benefits of title, money, power, and/or status.
2. Compassion and Empathy for Animals: Understanding and caring deeply for animals, striving to mitigate harm and suffering, and saving as many lives as humanely possible. Embracing a life-affirming attitude and approach.
3. Compassion and Empathy for People: We can’t help animals without people. Leaders need to care about and support staff, volunteers, adopters, and other service recipients, and the community at large and be committed to great customer service.
4. Communication: Clear and effective communication with staff, volunteers, Board members, officials, the public, and supporters. This includes both verbal and written communication skills.
5. Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills are critical to efficient, well-funded operations that minimize unnecessary delays, bottlenecks, and animal length of stay.
6. Decision-Making, Courage, and Critical Thinking: Making informed, difficult, and timely decisions, often in stressful situations, regarding animal care, staff management, and operations. This includes crisis management and handling emergencies effectively. To take calculated risks with a focus on the benefit to the mission. Using data and analysis to inform decisions and apply new and best practices.
7. Creativity, Openness, and Adaptability: Animal welfare is a dynamic field, and leaders need to embrace change and new ideas, and to innovate and adapt to trends, best practices, process improvements, and new threats and opportunities. To pivot strategically to address setbacks and challenges. Being open and receptive to feedback from staff, volunteers, and the public yet still steadily “steering the ship.” Black and white thinkers who cling to “the way we’ve always done it” do not fit well in a shelter environment.
8. Team Leadership: Inspiring and motivating staff, volunteers, and supporters. Building a cohesive team, providing training & development opportunities, and fostering a positive & inclusive work environment.
9. Fundraising and Financial Management: For developing & implementing fundraising strategies to ensure financial sustainability. Managing budgets, grants, and donations responsibly to maximize resources.
10. Public Relations and Advocacy: Acting as the public face of the shelter, engaging with the community, and advocating for animal welfare and protection. This includes building relationships with public officials, media, local businesses, supporters, and other organizations.
11. Problem-Solving: Swiftly addressing challenges and conflicts arising within the shelter, finding solutions to improve operations, and enhancing animal care practices.
12. Strategic Planning: Setting long-term goals & developing plans to achieve the mission. This includes identifying areas for growth & improvement, and staying informed about industry trends/best practices.
13. Emotional Regulation and Resilience: Managing stress and intense emotional challenges associated with animal welfare work. Maintaining a calm, professional disposition, a positive can-do attitude, and supporting the mental well-being of the team.
14. Collaboration and Networking: Building connections with other shelters, rescue groups, veterinarians, and animal welfare organizations to share resources, knowledge, and support.
15. Animal Care Knowledge: Having a solid understanding of animal health, herd health, behavior, and welfare to make informed decisions, set effective policies/procedures, and provide guidance to staff, volunteers, and the public.

Michigan Pet Alliance opposes surgical alteration of companion animals for cosmetic reasons or convenience. Tail docking, ear cropping, declawing, and devocalization are examples of procedures that lack medical necessity and cause unjustifiable pain to the animal.

Surgical alterations due to injury, health reasons or for identification of spay/neuter status in Trap, Neuter, Return programs are not considered cosmetic.