Michigan Humane - Mackey Center for Animal Care

Michigan Humane has spent more than 145 years creating meaningful, lasting change for animals and the people who love them. As the oldest and largest nonprofit animal welfare organization in the state, we serve Southeast Michigan with compassionate care, innovative programs, and a steadfast commitment to the well-being of all animals. Each year, we care for tens of thousands of animals through adoption services, veterinary care, community engagement, cruelty investigations, and emergency response efforts. From offering lifesaving care in our shelters and clinics to supporting families and communities, our work is grounded in the belief that every life matters and every animal deserves a chance at a loving home

1866: Henry Bergh, an American businessman, founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in New York. 1877: The Michigan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is formed. The Society's first board of directors included Thomas Witherell Palmer, President, and Alexander Lewis, Vice President, who was also the mayor of Detroit. This organization is the origin of what would become the Michigan Humane Society; this is also the year in which Michigan's first statute prohibiting cruelty to animals was enacted. 1910: The Detroit Humane Society is formed to protect humans and animals from cruelty, abuse and oppression. 1912: The Detroit Animal Welfare Association is formed and far surpasses the previous animal welfare organizations in the city. 1913: Arthur C. Curtis becomes the Animal Welfare Association's only employee and is named Humane Marshall by Michigan governor Woodbridge N. Ferris with authority to investigate charges of animal cruelty statewide. 1925: Multiple organizations in the city of Detroit merge to form the Michigan Humane Society and lease property at 7378 Richmond to shelter animals. 1931: The Michigan Humane Society purchases an old factory at 7401 Richmond and converts it to an animal shelter; the MHS Detroit shelter operates out of this facility until August of 2016. 1967: In the midst of the Detroit rebellion, shelter staff continued to care for the animals in their charge; MHS veterinarian Dr. Dewdney worked with the National Guard to provide first aid for injured animals and 5,000 cans of dog and cat food were distributed to owners in need. 1968: The first Protect A Pet clinics are held to help low income families provide their pets with vaccines. 1971: MHS opens its second facility in Westland, MI. 1982: MHS begins construction on its Rochester Hills facility, thanks in part to a generous grant from the Kresge Foundation. 1983: The Michigan Humane Society adopts a mandatory sterilization policy for all adopted animals. 1989: The first Mutt March is held in memory of board member Laura Lee Greer. 1990: The inaugural Bow Wow Brunch is held, drawing hundreds of guests. 1993: 'Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo' is held for the first time; it quickly becomes the largest off-site adoption event in the country. 1996: Governor Engler signs House Bill 4654, making Michigan's felony animal cruelty law one of the toughest in the United States. 2005: After extensive expansion, the Westland facility is renamed the Berman Center for Animal Care in honor of Madge and Bill Berman. 2006: The Michigan Humane Society celebrates its first 'Mega March for Animals' at Hart Plaza in Detroit. 2011: Our PetCo adoption center has its grand opening in November. 2013: After many years of discussion and planning, the capital campaign to create a new Detroit shelter officially launches. 2014: Ground is broken on the new Detroit shelter only a ½ mile away from the current site. 2015: The Michigan Humane Society reaches its goal of placing 100% of its healthy and treatable animals into their forever homes - more than 10,000 animals in this year alone. 2016: In March, the new Detroit facility officially opens to the public; the Mackey Center for Animal Care is a beacon of hope for the animals in the metro area. 2020: Michigan Humane Society rebrands itself as Michigan Humane and debuts a new logo on July 26

Mission — To improve and save lives through compassionate care, community engagement, and advocacy for animals