There are three things YOU can do to help make the world a safer place for animals

1.    Be aware and learn to recognize animal cruelty.
Without phone calls from the concerned citizens who report cruelty in their neighborhoods, we wouldn't know about most instances of animal abuse—that's why it's so important to keep your eyes and ears open. Here are some signs and symptoms:

• Tick or flea infestations. Such a condition, if left untreated by a veterinarian, can lead to an animal's death.

• Wounds on the body.

• Patches of missing hair.

• Extremely thin, starving animals.

• Limping or have difficulty standing or moving.

• An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal.

• Dogs who are repeatedly left alone without food and water, often chained up in a yard.

• Dogs or cats who have been hit by cars-or are showing any of the signs listed above-and have not been taken to a veterinarian.

• Dogs or cats who are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions.

• Animals who cower in fear or act aggressively when approached by their owners.

2.    Report any suspected  animal cruelty.
Contact your local police department or animal shelter.  In Dearborn, contact the Dearborn Police (24x7) at 313-943-2240 or the Friends at 313-943-2697.  Remember, you can report cruelty anonymously.   When you make a report, provide as much information as possible. The details that you provide can go a long way toward assisting an investigating officer. You may want to write down the type of cruelty that you witnessed, who was involved, the date of the incident and where it took place.  Remember that animal cruelty is a CRIME—and the police MUST investigate these crimes.   If the abuse is happening now, please call, but if you prefer, you may email us.

3.    Fight animal cruelty through legislation. 
Know your state's animal cruelty laws. These vary from state to state, and even from city to city. You can visit the ASPCA's online database of more than 550 animal cruelty laws—and their penalties—in all 50 states.  Fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state and local levels. With stronger laws, they'll be more likely to receive tougher penalties.

YOU Can Change Michigan Cruelty Legislation

Pound Seizure (HB 4663) "Koda's Law," would ban the practice of allowing shelter cats and dogs to be used in experimental research.  Koda's Law is named after a shelter dog who, instead of being placed for adoption, was sold to an animal broker, resold to the University of Michigan and used in the university's Advanced Trauma Life Support Class, then euthanized. Koda's former family believed that taking him to a shelter would allow him another opportunity to find a home and did not know he would be used in a research experiment.  There are currently 4 Michigan county shelters that sell or give animals to Class B dealers that then resell them for research and experimentation. 
                 Sign the petition to pass this bill.     Read more about this bill in the fact sheet.      Read House Bill 4663.

Humane Euthanasia (HB 4263) or the Humane Euthanasia of Shelter Animals Act, would ensure that when the state's unwanted, sick or unadoptable shelter animals have to be euthanized, the procedure will only be done by injection of sodium pentobarbital. Michigan Pet Fund Alliance considers euthanasia by injection to be the only acceptable and humane means of euthanasia of dogs and cats in animal shelters.  There are currently 7 Michigan shelters that euthanize animals in barrels using carbon monoxide and 5 Michigan shelters that euthanize animals in barrels using carbon dioxide.  Both of these methods can be horrific deaths for mid to large size animals. This bill had some information inadvertently deleted during filing, there is substitute language waiting in the committee. The current bill language bans gas chambers everywhere, whereas the substituted language bans the chamber from animal shelters and dealers and mandates the use of injection.
                 Sign the petition to pass this bill.     Read more about this in the fact sheet.     Read House Bill 4263.

Tell your representative that you want him/her to support these two bills:

       -  If you are in Michigan, you can find your representative's email address here: http://house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp
       -  Compose your own message or cut and paste this simple message into the email:

See your Michigan representative's voting record                          See all Michigan animal legislation

As your advocate at the local level, we care for the victims of abuse and work with Dearborn law enforcement to vigorously prosecute  abusers.  This is Patty.  In March, she was rescued from a freeway by a good Samaritan.  She was brought to the shelter and then taken to Dearborn Family Pet Care for treatment.  She needed significant medical care and nutrition and lots of healing love.  If only she could tell us what happened -- was she forced to participate in dog fighting, was she purposely abused, was she hit by a car?  We'll never know, but each of us can be an Animal Advocate for her and other unfortunate animals.

On the exam table being treated.

She was totally emaciated.

Her body was covered with deep wounds such as these.

With your help this is Patty today.

If you are interested in taking a more proactive role in the fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state and local levels, one way is to join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade.  As an ASPCA Advocacy Brigade member, you'll receive emails asking you to write letters encouraging your legislators to pass these laws-and you can send them directly from the ASPCA website.

Report abuse - please call so we can investigate as promptly as possible and prevent further injury to the animal.  If for any reason, you can not call, please report the abuse by completing the following form.  You will remain anonymous.