An Innovative Partnership
rship
& Capital Campaign to Help
Animals and People
eople
Animal Care
& Resource Center
O F
K A L A M A Z O O
C O U N T Y
Kalamazoo Cares
Throughout our community’s history, citizens have reache
reached out to meet
urgent needs while
hil att th
the same ti
time bbuilding
ildi our community socially
and economically.
ne heart
T W O O R G A N I Z AT I O N S
The Animal Care & Resource Center of Kalamazoo County
In the spirit of generosity and innovation, the Kalamazoo Humane Society and
Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement are planning an Animal Care
& Resource Center that will meet current and future animal welfare needs AND
enrich our community socially and economically for years to come.
Our two organizations often work closely together to provide mandated and necessary
animal welfare services for Kalamazoo County.
Like other communities, Kalamazoo is required by law to provide shelter for stray,
lost, injured and abandoned animals. Kalamazoo County Animal Services and
Enforcement (KCASE) is the only shelter in Kalamazoo County authorized to
perform this service on behalf of the citizens of Kalamazoo County. KCASE also
enforces all state and local ordinances, provides important dog licensing services
and investigates allegations of animal abuse and neglect.
The Kalamazoo Humane Society (KHS), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded
in 1897, has a long history of fostering an environment of respect, responsibility and
compassion for animals. KHS has taken the lead locally in providing low-cost
spay/neuter services to reduce pet overpopulation. It also offers humane education
resources and a number of other services to assist people with animal care needs.
Under one roof we’ll be able to provide these services more efficiently and effectively
– while remaining separate organizations with complementary missions.
Kalamazoo Cares
About...
• Controlling the Pet Population
• Sheltering Animals Safely
and Humanely
• Identifying Lost Pets and
Reuniting Them with Their
Families
• Investigating and Addressing
Animal Abuse Allegations
• Finding Suitable Homes for
Adoptable Pets
• Socializing Pets and
Teaching Obedience
• Providing Food for Pets in Need
• Sharing Educational Resources
• Developing Good Citizens
• Strengthening our Community’s
Reputation as One That is
Compassionate and Responsible
Under one roof
we’ll make
a greater impact!
KCA S E
Each year, Kalamazoo County Animal Services
and Enforcement (KCASE) shelters over
6,000
animals
for varying periods of time. Unlike private
rescue organizations, KCASE is mandated to
accept every animal brought to the shelter,
regardless of the animal’s age or condition.
Some animals residing at the shelter have been
relinquished by their owners, while other
animals have been picked up by officers as
strays. Sadly, when the shelter becomes full,
all too often the staff is forced to euthanize
adoptable animals.
Many abused
animals like this
one are helped by
KCASE each year
KHS’ emergency
cy pet food bank
ortive services for
and other supportive
families in
CRISIS
are also severelyly limited in terms of storage
ccess.
capacity and access.
E:
DOING MOR
the
Addressing
of
Root Causes
d Shelters
e
d
w
o
r
c
r
e
v
O
Improving shelter conditions will:
• Improve animal health
• Attract more visitors
• Encourage more adoptions
To make a long-term impact, we also need to
stem the tide of animals entering the shelter
system by providing:
• Spay/neuter surgeries
• Humane education
• Hardship assistance
• Pet obedience training
These services help address the ROOT
CAUSES of overcrowded shelters, which are:
Animals are unwanted or cannot be maintained.
Animals aren’t properly trained and socialized.
Animal owners aren’t properly trained in animal
care and handling.
Our organizations already provide services in
these areas, but our space and resources are
limited. With adequate space and the efficiencies
of providing our services under one roof, we
can expand our work.
Floods and other emergencies can create crisis situations for families and their pets.
Like KCASE, the small parking lot and cramped
conditions at KHS’ current facility are
frequently inadequate to accommodate KHS’
many visitors and the volunteers who help KHS
reduce pet overpopulation; teach our citizens
compassionate behavior; and assist animals
and families in need.
Just imagine...
Together,
we win!
ONE PLACE TO VISIT
The Center will satisfy a full spectrum
um
of animal wefare needs.
Imagine a place where visitors
ors
ry
will find mandated, necessary
and important activities and
d
services under one roof.
FFewer Unwanted Pets
By collaborating, this Center will provide:
• Inviting, Healthy Lodging for More Animals
nimals - • Dog Licensing
indoor dog runs, puppy pens, cat cages
• Humane Education and an aviary are planned
• Safe Exercise in Spacious Areas
• Low-cost Spay/Neuter Clinic
• Collaboration and Intern Opportunities
with Colleges and Universities
• Indoor Dog Training Area
• Increased Volunteer Opportunities
• Animal Abuse Investigations
On-site Resource Library and Programs
Throughout the Community
• Rescue and Adoption Operations
and Counseling
• Emergency Pet Food Bank
• Pet Behaviorial Assessments
for Pet Visitation Programs
• Education and Meeting Room
KHS will own this unique facility and lease space to KCASE and
other organizations with complementary missions.
SHARED RESOURCES
KHS and KCASE regularly share information and assist one
another in numerous
ous animal welfare activities.
Imagine
gine the savings
savin
ngs in staff time
tim and resources when we can work
wor
ork
k
together
ther under
ne roof.
KH helps prevent unwanted pets populating shelters by providing low-cost spay/neuter services to low-income
KHS
residents.
re
Im
Imagine
how many more unwanted litters of kittens and puppies will be prevented when we have a high-volume
spay/neuter clinic on-site that can accommodate an expanded partnership with Michigan State University’s College
of Veterinary Medicine.
More Animals Saved
KCASE shelters unwanted animals and makes qualified animals available for adoption. Through outreach to the
public and rescue groups, KCASE has increased the number of animals adopted in recent years.
Imagine how many more pets will be saved and adopted when larger, sanitary and inviting conditions help
maintain pets’ health and attract loving families.
More Families Assisted
KHS helps families experiencing financial or domestic difficulties maintain their beloved pets by offering free food
or temporary housing for a pet living in unstable conditions. In these challenging economic times, the need is
greater than ever before. KHS also offers aid to victims of domestic violence, covering the cost of any boarding fees
or medical care the animals may need.
Imagine how many more pets will remain in their homes or find a safe haven when we can help more families
cope with their challenging circumstances.
THE POSSIBILITIES
A Safer and More
Humane Community
Animal welfare issues affect all of us.
KHS works to keep our community safe and
compassionate by offering humane education
materials that explain how to train and
socialize pets and treat them humanely.
With more space and greater resources, we
will be able to make presentations on-site
and at other locations throughout the
community.
Imagine how our community will benefit
from our expanded partnerships with
universities; schools; centers for troubled
youth; libraries; hospitals; retirement/
assisted living and nursing home facilities;
and other local organizations and businesses.
We welcome partners who share our vision.
Imagine what our community will be like
when more citizens, especially young
people, learn good citizenship through our
expanded humane education programs and
on-site pet obedience training.
Join us in creating another
Kalamazoo ”First!”
Our Progress
Programming experts in the
shelter field have worked
with us to develop innovative
tive
features of the Center that
at
will allow us to offer a
crucial range of animal
welfare services in a
healthy and inviting
atmosphere. The details of
our vision have further
evolved as we’ve researched
hed
and toured some of the
best-designed animal caree
facilities built to date.
Our organizations believe in
continuous improvement, so
fy
we will continue to identify
the best features and the
best practices we can
incorporate in the Animal
Care & Resource Center of
Kalamazoo County.
Join us
Proposed concepts for Animal Care & Resource Center
from ‘Shelter Planners of America’
I N M A K I N G A N I M PA C T F O R G E N E R AT I O N S T O C O M E
Your investment in the Animal Care & Resource Center of Kalamazoo
County will make an immediate as well as a long-term impact on
our community. By helping to create this new Center serving
Kalamazoo County – your Center – you’ll know that the lives of
countless, voiceless animals will be saved and improved. Hearts
will be changed. And people will gather together all year round in
this place that welcomes all – a place of where life is respected,
dignified and celebrated, and families can be made complete.
The impact of your help will be far-reaching and visible, as well.
When other communities struggle with similar challenges and visit
the Center to evaluate our model, we can offer assistance.
Join us in making a difference for generations of animals and people.
Contact the Kalamazoo Humane Society at (269) 345-1181
www.KalamazooCaresForAnimals.org
Animal Care
& Resource Center
O F
K A L A M A Z O O
C O U N T Y