Vision and Goals

Michigan has many pet guardians who love and value their companion animals. At the same time due to lack of information, many may be unaware of the role of over-population in the plight of homeless animals.

Michigan Pet Fund Alliance will make the State of Michigan, a nationally-recognized model of “no more homeless pets.” The Michigan Pet Fund Alliance will achieve this by providing expertise and guidance to county animal control agencies and friends group in preparing plans to accomplish “no-kill” counties and by funding and supporting outstanding humane services and programs that seek to improve the welfare of homeless pets by finding permanent and/or foster homes and ending unnecessary suffering and euthanasia of unwanted and abandoned companion animals. Working in collaboration with animal control organizations, shelters, rescue groups, governments and volunteers, our goal is to place Michigan at the forefront of humane efforts in the United States.

What We Envision

A population balance of companion animals and support of programs to eliminate euthanasia of adoptable and treatable homeless animals. Homeless animals are cared for in state-of- the-art, home-like shelters and/or foster homes until permanent families are found. A farm/camp is home for animals that are difficult to place or require long-term treatment where they receive training or medical treatment so that they may become adoptable. Animals requiring extraordinary medical care or those that for other reasons may not become adoptable are cared for at a pet sanctuary.

Financial support and programs are widely available to provide and promote:

• Pet sterilization;
• Pet training;
• Medical treatment;
• Assistance to needy individuals in keeping and caring for their companion animals;
• High-visibility adoption events; and
• Community education

Our Mission

To be the keepers of the Vision, ensure collaboration among partners and generate the necessary resources to eliminate euthanasia of healthy and treatable homeless pets in Michigan. Financial resources will be obtained through:

• Individual Contributions
• Corporate and Foundation Support
• Grants
• Fundraising Events and Programs
• Endowments
• Bequests

The Michigan Pet Fund Alliance accomplishes its mission through support, collaboration, and coordination with county animal control agencies and private shelters and rescue groups, the veterinary community, local governments, the business community, and concerned citizens.

The term "healthy" means and includes all dogs and cats eight weeks of age or older that, at or subsequent to the time the animal is taken into possession, have manifested no signs of a behavioral or temperamental characteristic that could pose a health or safety risk or otherwise make the animal unsuitable for placement as a pet, and have manifested no sign of disease, injury, a congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the health of the animal, or that is likely to adversely affect the animal's health in the future.

The term "treatable" means and includes all dogs and cats that are "rehabilitatable" and all dogs and cats that are "manageable."

• Rehabilitatable: The term "rehabilitatable" means and includes all dogs and cats who are not "healthy," but who are likely to become "healthy," if given medical, foster, behavioral, or other care equivalent to the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community.

• Manageable: The term "manageable" means and includes all dogs and cats who are not "healthy" and who are not likely to become "healthy," regardless of the care provided; but who would likely maintain a satisfactory quality of life, if given medical, foster, behavioral, or other care, including long-term care, equivalent to the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring owners/guardians in the community; provided, however, that the term "manageable" does not include any dog or cat who is determined to pose a significant risk to human health or safety or to the health or safety of other animals.

The term "unhealthy and untreatable" means and includes all dogs and cats who, at or subsequent to the time they are taken into possession,

1. have a behavioral or temperamental characteristic that poses a health or safety risk or otherwise makes the animal unsuitable for placement as a pet, and are not likely to become "healthy" or "treatable" even if provided the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community; or

2. are suffering from a disease, injury, or congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the animal's health or is likely to adversely affect the animal's health in the future, and are not likely to become "healthy" or "treatable" even if provided the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community; or

3. are under the age of eight weeks and are not likely to become "healthy" or "treatable," even if provided the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community.