Voiceless-MI speaks for those without voice

Aug 31, 2010

Last year, groups of people that included Holly Sauve’ and Beth Contreras were working with shelter dogs and cats in Michigan.

“Most of us were already active in different groups. But we all had one common goal and that was helping our shelter animals from becoming research experiments. That goal is what brought us all together,” says Sauve’.

In August 2009, the small group of volunteers started Voiceless-MI, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to saving animals from research, fostering those in need, educating the public, and supporting spay and neuter programs.

“We advocate abolishing pound seizure and are against animal cruelty. Voiceless-MI supports humane education programs for the public and encourages respect and compassion for all animals. We strive to be the voice for the voiceless,” states Suave’, who serves as the organization’s president, while Contreras fulfills the secretary position.

“There are no paid employees,” she says. “Everyone’s time [and] efforts are 100 percent volunteer.”

The group’s main goal is to rescue dogs and cats from shelters that sell their animals for research, and place them into appropriate foster homes pending adoption.

“Only one dog has slipped through our grasp in the past year and ended up with the research dealer.  In our opinion, that was one too many but it just motivates us to work harder.”

The process of “pound seizure” means shelters provide animals to “animal brokers” and research facilities. During this process, animals like dogs and cats deemed “un-adoptable” are sold or simply given away for experimental procedures.

Because the shelter environment may prove stressful to some animals, personalities are often misunderstood. This means healthy and happy dogs and cats are  provided to research facilities based on misinformation.

One such dog, a Mastiff mix named Miley, was labeled so un-adoptable that the shelter refused to release her to Voiceless-MI for fostering. After some debate, Voiceless-MI obtained Miley who was then adopted.

Sauve’ recounts the story:

Within a few weeks, [Miley] was adopted by a woman who had just lost her husband in an auto accident and Miley helped to heal her devastating loss.  One year later, we continue to receive updates from her owner who is incredibly grateful to have found Miley and they are inseparable.

 

Working in conjunction with All About Animals, Voiceless-MI also provides a monthly, low-cost spay and neuter program, and assists low income families who do not have the budget to spay or neuter their pets.

How Can You Help Voiceless-MI?

Donate money, blankets, pet beds, dog and cat food, litter, litter boxes or other pet supplies. There are always “hardship cases” with very specific needs. Please contact Voiceless-MI to learn how to help with those cases.

Volunteer by becoming a foster parent or donating time to the organization.

Adopt a pet.

Learn about upcoming events.

Contact Voiceless-MI

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 730, Charlotte, MI 48813

Telephone: (517) 993-8600

Website: http://www.voiceless-mi.org/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=124575462495

Twitter: @voicelessmi