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Q. What’s the difference between Safe Haven and the Ionia County Animal Shelter?
A. The Ionia County Animal Shelter is a county-owned and operated facility located in Ionia. It is operated by Ionia County Animal Control and houses strays picked up by Animal Control and pets surrendered by their owners. Safe Haven Humane Society is a privately operated, non-profit volunteer rescue group. Safe Haven has no central facility, and all pets are housed in foster homes.
Q. Is Safe Haven affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States or Michigan Humane Society?
A. No. Safe Haven is not associated in any way with the two groups mentioned, nor with any other Humane Society. We receive no funding from governmental agencies. All funding is from business and individual donations, along with private fundraising projects.
Q. When I call the Safe Haven phone number (616-522-1611), no one answers and I'm asked to leave a message. Why doesn't anyone answer?
A. Since we do not have a central location and we're all volunteers, our phone is a message phone only. Most of our volunteers have full-time jobs in addition to Safe Haven duties. We have volunteers retrieve messages from the phone on a rotating basis and sometimes it takes a day or so for all messages to be answered. Please be patient since we're doing the very best that we can.
Q. Where do Safe Haven animals come from?
A. Our first priority is to pull adoptable animals from "at risk" situations. This normally means from high-kill shelters, shelters who sell or give animals to research, or shelters that have just run out of room for them. We receive hundreds of calls from people wanting to surrender animals to us, and many times we just can't assist those callers because our foster homes are almost always full. We try to offer other options to those we are unable to help.
Q. If my pet is missing, what should I do?
A. Immediately contact Animal Control Facilities and Humane Societies in your area and in surrounding areas. Remember, your pet will not know when it crosses a county line. Plan on calling and visiting these facilities periodically since some do not maintain lost/found lists. Also, call all nearby veterinary clinics and ask that they post a notice in case someone calls. Put ads in local newspapers and shoppers guides, and put up posters with a picture.
Q. If I find a pet, what should I do?
A. Take the pet to a nearby veterinary clinic to have it scanned for a microchip. Immediately contact Animal Control Facilities and Humane Societies in the surrounding areas. Contact all area veterinarian clinics. Place a “Found Ad” in local papers and shoppers guides. Put up posters with a basic description, but do not include a picture. If someone calls to claim the pet, make sure that person can accurately describe the pet, including something distinctive that you have not included on your poster. Be sure it is the true owner.
Q. What do I do if I know of or suspect animal abuse?
A. Report the abuse immediately to your county Animal Control. They will explain the steps in the process. They may ask if you have pictures, video, etc. to help with the complaint. Safe Haven has no enforcement authority, but will certainly help you in any way possible.
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