First, let me start by saying I am very grateful for all of our success. We have been doing serious rescue since 1984 when we built a large new garage and pole barn on our Newaygo homestead. At that time there were free puppies and kittens signs everywhere, and most were not being altered. I began my rescue and my connection to Fremont Animal Hospital, gathering volunteers along the way and by 1990 we became a licensed Michigan Shelter and it was “game on”. Our success is a result of a very dedicated and unique bunch of volunteers, Veterinarian’s, adopters, and donors or supporters. We are all different, but all united in one thing, and that is to ease the suffering of homeless animals and, provide them with the best of medical care. Keeping them safe and warm until we find them permanent and appropriate homes for each one. My volunteers always bring true meaning to the words “it take a village” cause it does and nothing works unless we all come together. Our fosters are caring and wonderful selfless people whom truly love what they do. I have many adoptive families that stay in touch with the fosters because they understand that they truly care about the animals they are adopting out. All volunteers are deeply appreciated, without them, there would be no individual care for animals who have already been very neglected. All volunteers are valued regardless of what they do, some foster, some do events, some do paper work, some clean but all is essential to make it work. Some have been  with us for years and that said, special thanks to Pam Maniscalco for her efforts to make it up north in rain and snow to do Paperwork and deliver supplies to those in GR. To Fran Coon for her efforts to keep the Shelter clean and help care for the animals passing through there. To Sue Tol, who started over 25 yrs ago and does anything that needs doing. To Deb Culbertson and Danielle Tuttle, between the two of them they have cared for and adopted out literally hundreds of kitties, and have done it so well. Special thanks to Molly Eddington who is putting this newsletter together and is a foster and adopter as well. Molly has been with us since the 5th grade, she has been a MSU grad for several years now. Speaking of newsletters I have a special thanks for Dave Snyder who started the newsletter over 10 years ago. Dave also keeps all the printers  and computers running no easy task considering who is using them. He also installed the security system at the shelter and helped with the remodel. In addition he fosters difficult dogs, as he trained dogs in the Air Force and is pretty darn good at it. Thank you to Jillian who sifts through hundreds of applications, sends them out for references and gets them to me all completed ready for a decision. She also fosters with Lyle’s help who is always at the ready to provide a little muscle when help is needed. Thank you to Jerry and Nancy Kiel whom have been our Mr. and Mrs. Santa for years, along with Gary and Donna Ranger who managed the bake sale, handing the reins to Brenda Hamilton this year. Thank you to Barb Vanderwall for her grant writing skills, and her efforts to keep the spay/neuter program going until covid hit and we no longer had a vet to continue. We hope to revive that program very soon.

I also apologize to those whose names are missed, your time is important to us and you are valued no matter what you do. If you foster a litter of kittens once a year, or bake for the sale, foster a pup or dog once in a while, transport a cat or dog somewhere it needs to go... it all needs to be done and every little bit helps. You are valued and appreciated. It does take a village to make it all work.

Our veterinarians are a very intricate part of who we are and what we can do. Without skilled veterinarians we can’t do anything. We are very fortunate to have the Plymouth Rd Vet as a rescue partner and they are wonderful with the animals. They are doing the bulk of our surgeries since Dr. Russell retired. The vets there are highly skilled and they are great surgeons. We highly recommend them to anyone looking for a really friendly quality clinic. They have a beautiful brand new clinic at the corner of Plymouth Rd and Leonard. We also use Fremont Animal Hospital , owned by Dr. Marie Breuker. She is an excellent veterinarian and surgeon and has done wonderful work for us. Dr. Sam Ciatto of Animal Wellness center has also helped us along the way.  All of our vet’s services are instrumental in our survival and ability to help an animal in need.

And where would we be without adopters, who patiently wait while we get animals ready and access what they need. And then there is all the paperwork and they wait again for that. Some are so grateful that they stay in touch with us with pictures and stories on our ADOPTED FROM LAKE HAVEN page on Facebook. If you have not joined, please do and send us updates as it is our reward for our work. Just go to the ADOPTED FROM LAKE HAVEN page and click on follow and you answer three simple questions and then an admin will let you in. Please send us pics and stories we all love to hear how our fosters are doing.

And then we have our donors whom have been supporting and encouraging us in the work we have done. Without them we would have not been able to accomplish all we have and for such a long time. They are participating in every rescue that takes place without even being there. I will be forever grateful for every one of you.

With a grateful heart, wishing all a wonderful holiday season,

​

Cheryl McCould (Director)