What is HSHV and what do they do? Founded in 1896, HSHV serves Washtenaw County, Plymouth, and Canton. Our mission is to promote compassionate and responsible care of animals in our community. We shelter homeless and abused animals, have a highly successful adoption program, protect victims of animal cruelty and prosecute their offenders, provide low-cost spay/neuter, and provide other innovative prevention and education services.
HSHV ended 2011 with another record-breaking save rate of 81.5% (not just a “personal best”, but a rate that brings us near the top nation-wide). We were honored a second year in row by for having the highest save rate of any shelter like us Michigan by the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance. We received another 4-star Charity Navigator rating meaning we are accountable and transparent.
And in all, we helped over 13,000 animals last year with some form of mission-related services through the hard work of 68 employees and 700 volunteers.
How did you decide to get involved in weddings? We started getting requests from brides for an in lieu of gifts option. They were also looking for a unique way to show their passion for animals at their receptions. HSHV offers wedding tents in lieu of favors. Each tent features a beautiful photos and stories of adoptable animals of the couple’s choice. HSHV also has personal fundraising web pages that can be used in wedding registries as an in lieu of gifts option. On that page the couple can describe what their wedding will be like and why they chose to donate to HSHV.
Where does the donation go once it is sent to you? The donations are quickly process and used to fund several of our life-saving programs. Many of our programs are funded 100% by donations from generous community members, including our Cruelty Investigations and Bountiful Bowls Food Assistance. We are not funded or affiliated by Michigan Humane Society, The Humane Society of the United States or any other animal welfare group or government agency. All humane societies are independent and serve different areas.
What does it cost to run the HSHV? It cost $4.6 million annually to run HSHV.