The Huron Humane Society’s insurers forbid the shelter from accepting twelve specific breeds of dogs, inlcuding dogs whose genetic makeup is mixed with these breeds:

  • Akitas;
  • Alaskan Malamutes;
  • American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terrier, Stafford Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, or American Bullies, all commonly known as Pit Bulls;
  • Cane Corsos;
  • Doberman Pinschers;
  • German Shepherds;
  • Great Danes;
  • Mastiffs;
  • Presa Canarios;
  • Rottweilers;
  • Siberian Huskies;
  • Attack dogs or guard dogs;
  • Fighting dogs or dogs bred for fighting;
  • Dogs with a history of injuring other dogs

In addition, the shelter’s insurers prohibit HHS from accepting dogs with a history of fighting, dogs previously used as attack or guard dogs, and dogs with a history of injuring other dogs.

Despite how careful you are, sometimes a furry friend wanders off. HHS is always eager to help reunite owners with their animals. If you have lost (or found) an animal, please post in our dedicated Facebook group by clicking here.

If you find a dog running at large, please contain it if you’re able to safely do so. Contact the Alpena County Sherrif Animal Control Center at 989-884-2248 and take direction from them.

Michigan law states that you must notify your local animal control agency when you find a dog roaming at large. Alpena County’s animal control ordinance states that stray dogs may go to an animal shelter contracted with the county for animal control. The sheriff’s office has interpreted that ordinance as meaning that stray dogs must go to the animal control shelter at the fairgrounds. HHS has been told in writing that we risk being issued a ticket if we accept any stray dogs at our shelter. Until the ordinance is amended to state that dogs may be taken to any licensed animal shelter or veterinary clinic, HHS cannot risk the threatened ticket if stray dogs are accepted at the shelter.

There are no local laws preventing cats from roaming free. Not all roaming cats are domesticated; some cats are feral. If you find a domesticated cat (one that is friendly and seeks out humans), the first thing to do is to take a picture, if possible, and post it in HHS’s lost and found pets Facebook group. Next, call us to see if we can take in the cat at the shelter.

We can only take in as many animals as we have kennels. In addition, we must have adequate staffing levels to take care of the animals. HHS is a private nonprofit that is funded almost entirely by donations. We take in as many animals as we’re able. We wish we had unlimited space and unlimited funding for staff, but we don’t. We get animals who are on our waiting list into the shelter as quickly as we can.