I hope people sat down and really read Linda Iroff's statement about
licensing and shelters.  Well-written, Linda.  Very good.
 
On the rescue/shelter debate, I'd like to share a statement made by
Dr. Steve Halstead, Companion Animal and Equine Species Program Manager
Veterinarian with the Michigan Department of Agriculture Animal Industry
Division dated February 28, 2003.  It is specific to how Michigan views
shelters/rescues.
 
"Michigan law regulating pet shops and animal shelters dates back over
thirty years.  The statutes, Public Act 287 of 1969 (as amended) and the
companion regulation 151, are specific to the types of operations that
existed at that time.
 
Facilities operating in compliance with these statutes are expected to be
solidly built and easy to clean, disinfect, and maintain.  Because of
these expectations and because animal shelters are typically underfunded,
shelters are usually simple structures constructed of concrete, concrete
block and tile; poorly heated and rarely cooled; marginally and often
inadequately drained and ventilated; small, isolated and understaffed.
Additionally, the primary role of animal shelters for animal control has
been removing dogs from the street and ensuring rabies control through
dog licensing; placement of animals into permanent adoptive homes is
secondary to these statutory obligations.
 
Concerned citizens, recognizing the limitations of existing shelters and
inspired by greater awareness of pet overpopulation, have responded by
creating home-based companion animal rescue organizations.  These
organizations are typically made up of a network of volunteers who take
rescue animals into their homes until a permanent adopter is found.
Communities have responded with support for these organizations as
a means to improve an individual animal's chance of staying alive as a
family pet.  The Department supports these goals."
 
I serve on the Michigan Dept of Ag Companion Animal Advisory Committee
and we are currently working to update Act 287.  We've broken down the
definitions of:
 
' "Animal Protection Shelter" means a facility used to house animals
and that is owned, operated, or maintained by a non-governmental
entity including, but not limited to, a humane society, animal welfare
organization, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals or any
other organization that finds or provided placement or other disposition
for such animals."
 
"Animal Control Shelter" means a facility operated by a municipality for
the impoundment, care, placement, or other disposition of animals that
are found in the street or at large, animals that are otherwise held due
to the violation of a municipal ordinance or state law, or animals that
are surrendered to the animal control shelter.
 
"Animal Placement Group" means any person or entity who boards and/or
houses animals in one or more foster homes in order to find or provide
placement or other disposition for such animals.  A person who breeds
his or her own animals and places the offspring of these breedings in a
foster home is not an animal placement group.
 
"Foster Home" means a person or entity providing care and/or
rehabilitation for animals under an agreement with an animal protection
shelter, an animal control shelter, or an animal placement group.'
 
I'd like to add the model we are using to update Michigan's current law
is the Colorado's Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act.
 
Dee Gage
owner/operator, West Michigan Ferret Connection
co-founder, Midwest Ferret Fellowship
member, Michigan Dept of Agriculture Companion Animal Advisory Committee
[Posted in FML issue 4563]