Mackinac County Animal Shelter
Our Featured Pet...
Debbie is a German Shepherd, husky mix. She is a nice dog who loves to have you pay attention to her. She is now our gal who has been here the longest. She would love to have her own home and someone to love. Please come and see her.
News
News release-
Mackinac County has found tempory homes for 55 animals taken in because of alleged abuse. More to follow as to when these animals will be ready for adoption.
If you'd like to make a donation, please send to
Mackinac County Animal Shelter/Rexton Animals
980 Cheeseman Road
Saint Ignace, MI 49781
For more information please call;
Wendy Frosland 906-298-1670 or
shelter 906-643-7646 from 9-1
If you happen to receive the answering machine, kindly leave a short message, your name & phone number. Thank you. (^^)
God Bless you all!!!
Who We Are
This is the story of Mackinac County Animal Shelter how it went from the conception of animals are disposable property to a state of the art successful adoption center. The only names mentioned are those who directly work for and in the Shelter. I am hoping no credit or blame given for any of the problems that have occurred through this transition. The focus is on the shelter and the animals who come there.
Fortunately, Mackinac County has many advocates willing to provide its animals with both care and protection. An animal welfare partnership between Ginger Valentine, manager of The Shelter; Mackinac Animal Aid Association, an all volunteer nonprofit group; Wendy Frosland, Mackinac County Animal Control Officer; the Mackinac County Board of Commissioners, and the Community have one goal in common, saving the lives of abandoned, neglected, or abused animals in this county.
In the beginning, the Mackinac County had no Animal Shelter. It was contracted by an individual. Animal Control or the police picked up stray running animals; kept them minimum amount of required time by State law; and then they were put down. Wendy Frosland wanted to stop the unnecessary “killing” and gave them their first chance at finding a new home when she contracted the “animal shelter” out on her property. The county commissioners only appropriated enough funds to provide the minimum care. Wendy ended up spending her own money to provide for their care while she found good families who would adopt them. A group of concerned people formed a nonprofit group, called the Friends of the Animal Shelter, they volunteered their time and brought much needed supplies to help Wendy with the cleaning and feeding of the dogs. They discovered some changes and additions were necessary in order to provide the right shelter and care for these dogs and cats. This started their fundraising, which provided the extra money needed to provide the necessary equipment, food, and veterinary care. This original group was instrumental in getting the Board of Commissioners to build the current shelter now located at 980 Cheeseman Road in St. Ignace as a county run facility for strays, neglected and abandoned pets of Mackinac County. The group, The Friends, contracted to operate the facility the first year and in return would be allowed to keep animals longer than the state required time allowing owners to reclaim their pet. They were paid by the County to be totally responsible for the adoption and care while the pets were housed in the shelter.
The Friends of the Animals, as they are now called, left the shelter in 2003 to pursue their interest in providing a low cost spay and neuter program called Pet Fix and no longer are involved with the Mackinac County Animal Shelter. The shelter than became the responsibility of Lela and Robert Robach. The commissioners provided funds for the days State law required of them. After this Bob and Lela were responsible for feeding, caring, and adopting out the animals, they did the best they could. They also had to use their own money to buy food, litter, and pay the veterinary bills. Former members of the Friends of the Animal Shelter formed a new group called the Mackinac Animal Aid Association in January of 2004. They focused on fundraising for them in order to subsidize spay and neuter, veterinary costs, and promote the adoptions. They became a federally recognized 501 (c) (3) organization and are still raising funds for necessary improvements, adoption promotions, and medical care for the animals housed in the shelter.
When Lela Robach passed away in 2005, the County Shelter came under the management of Ginger Valentine. Robert Robach retired from Animal Control in 2006 and the position has been filled by Wendy Frosland. The Mackinac County Board of Commissioners has cooperated with MAAA to help fund the shelter with the necessary equipment and improvements for the comfort and care of the animals and cleaning of the building. The Commissioners have updated the County’s Animal Laws and support Ginger, Wendy, and MAAA as they continue to make a difference in the plight of animals’ lives in this county. We have formed a partnership with each other to advance the goal for all animals their before, during, and after their stay at the shelter.
The State of Michigan’s shelter adoption rate is around 26% and our shelter has running around 94% for the last two years. It is because the animals are happy, healthy, and loved while they wait. The people connected to the shelter are well trained and educated in the care of animals. They continue to educate themselves and are willing to help others. Building a better shelter requires more than brick and mortar; it requires the desire to make a difference with the less fortunate which cannot do it for themselves. Animal rights and trends have taken dogs out of doghouses on chains to designer beds and daily walks.
The County Animal Shelter is a safe haven for animals brought in by the Animal Control Officer or any law enforcement officer. They are not here because they did something wrong, but because their former owner dropped their responsibility in caring for them.
We do not have the resources, space, or staff to take in unwanted pets. Mackinac Animal Aid Association raises all the funds to subsidize needed spay and neuter of all pets adopted from the Mackinac County Animal Shelter. We have already spayed or neutered over 300 cats and dogs. MAAA has a minimum investment of $180.00 per dog and $143.00 per cat. These amounts include all tests, shots, medicine, spay or neuter, and advertising for adoption. We cannot accept all unwanted pets into the shelter. It is impossible to raise enough money to keep up with that kind of demand and our pool of adopters is too small. We believe it is the responsibility of owners to find new homes for their pets if they can no longer provide for them.
The State of Michigan requires a County to provide a safe place for strays for a period of time allowing owners the chance to reclaim them and any pet adopted from this facility to be spayed or neutered- these are the laws. Humane Societies formed to take in owner surrendered pets giving them a second chance. But they do not take them unless there is space available and their fees cover all the cost. Rescue groups formed to take in specific breeds or pets with specific needs and they help them find new homes. In order for all animals to be given a second chance it takes several organizations with their own goals. This county like many others is lucky to have different groups with different objectives. All the groups are interested and dedicated in helping the animals the best way they can.
We are inviting the public, former adopters, supporters, ad sponsors, and future adopters to come and see all the smiling faces, wagging tails, and happy sounds yourself because of the dedication and conviction these pets have been given while they wait for a second chance with a new loving family. Our cats and dogs are loved by the staff at the Animal Shelter. This is not a sad place or experience. The Mackinac County Animal Shelter has had many improvements over the past three years: new cat cages, new furnace, new custom storage cabinets, new cat isolation cages and cleaning station in the former cat room, and new floors throughout the building.
If you would like help by making a donation, please send to
MAAA (Mackinac County Animal Aide Association)
P.O. Box 92
Moran, MI 49760
Or call to find out more information; MAAA 906-643-5532
(^^)
Adopting a friend
Come Visit Us!
Shelter Hours are
Monday - Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sunday 9:00 am - 11:00 am
If unable to come during those hours, please call 906-643-7646 to set up an appiontment.
Mackinac County Animal Shelter
980 Cheeseman Road
St. Ignace, MI 49781
Phone: 906-643-7646
Email: mcas2005@sbcglobal.net
Click here for a list of pets at this shelter
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