Nine Lives, Nine Animal Nonprofits Up North

And meet some of their recently adopted pets!

By Karl Klockars | July 5, 2025

While our feline friends have their apocryphal nine lives, nonprofit animal rescue organizations around northern Michigan save far more lives than that every day. There’s no shortage of animal lovers around our area of the Mitten, protecting everything from dogs and cats to horses, bunnies, guinea pigs, alpacas, and more.

We reached out to a few local orgs for stories about recent animal adoption successes, and if your heart needs a little warming this week, this’ll do it!

1. Cherryland Humane Society

Now nearly seven decades old, the Cherryland Humane Society in Traverse City has helped find new homes for animal friends since 1956. This no-kill org houses up to 600 dogs and cats each year as well as caring for animals who need some healthcare and rehab before being housed. To help support those efforts, you can visit their thrift store at 1253 W South Airport Rd. or head to cherrylandhumane.org.

Adoption Story: CHS Communication & Marketing Manager Naomi Pobuda shared this story with us: “Ziggy spent over 500 days with us before finding his forever home. Although Ziggy came from a dog fighting situation, he never once showed signs of aggression. All he wanted was to snuggle with everyone and nap. People were naturally hesitant, but we knew his forever family was out there. The family who ended up adopting him came in looking for a ‘cuddly, laid back, smaller dog’ and although Ziggy is chonky, he is low to the ground and the epitome of a snuggly dog. They fell in love immediately! Now Ziggy spends his days sunbathing, napping on the couch, and getting the love he so deserves.”

2. Little Traverse Bay Humane Society

Nestled in between Harbor Springs and Petoskey, the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society helps find homes for hundreds of animals each year and helps control the animal population by spaying and neutering even more through their in-house veterinary clinic. Helping pets since 1951, LTBHS also offers a “De-Stress With Pets” workplace program to bring shelter animals into the office for a little on-the-clock cuddle time.

Adoption Story: Development Director Jessica Mendezona shared Evie’s story with us: “Evie arrived at Little Traverse Bay Humane Society with severe deformities in both eyes. Thanks to our supporters, she received the critical medical care and surgery she needed to remove them. Following surgery, our team gave her the love, support, and patience she needed to heal and adjust. Evie’s resilience was inspiring, and we’re thrilled to share that she recently found her forever home with an adopter who loves her dearly. Her journey from pain to comfort, and now to a loving home, is only possible because of the kindness of those who give to our mission. Stories like this are what make even the hardest days worth it!”

3. Great Lakes Humane Society

Located on a 10-acre private farm just west of Traverse City, the Great Lakes Humane Society helps to house abandoned and unwanted animals in their heated kennels and give them room to run and play while they wait for their new home.

Adoption Story: Executive Director Linda Gottwald told us about a “diamond in the ruff!” named Waldo and his journey home: “Waldo was a hard-luck pup from the start. He came from Saginaw Animal Control, after a chase through the city’s roughest neighborhoods. Being a handsome fellow, he was adopted shortly after completing heartworm treatment … but then showed back up at the shelter after an unfortunate incident with the family cat. And so he sat at the shelter…and sat…and sat. Meanwhile, an animal angel named Kathleen and her husband Ted visited the shelter. Kathleen and Ted are the kind of people shelter directors dream of … the kind that walk in and ask who is the LEAST likely to be adopted, which at the time was Waldo. She took him home where he joined a group of senior pooches, four of which came from our shelter! Other than having to wear a Christmas sweater, Waldo is living his best life with his other misfit shelter buddies.”

4. TC Paw

This feline-focused nonprofit emerged in the wake of AC PAW retiring their rescue program in 2023 and continues their mission to provide a second chance to abandoned cats in the greater TC Area. TC Paw provides foster and adoption services for cats as well as some unique offerings like kitten yoga, a monthly Cans for Cats dropoff, and even their own regular segment on Rock 105 FM.

Adoption Story: TC Paw VP Melissa Smith penned this story of salvation for Gracie: “In early February, TC Paw responded to an eviction case where nearly a dozen cats had been inside a vacated home. While most of the cats were safely removed, a few had escaped outside [including Gracie]. Over the following weeks, with a great deal of patience (and a humane trap) Gracie was gently coaxed to safety. Her time outside had left a lasting mark—an ear injury from unknown causes—but the vet confirmed it didn’t cause any pain or impact her health. In fact, it gave her even more character, a unique feature for a cat who had already proven herself so special. By early May, Gracie was adopted by a loving family who instantly recognized her gentle, resilient spirit, bringing her story full circle—from surviving a harsh winter on her own to finding a warm and secure forever home.”

5. HANDDS to the Rescue

This organization, whose name is short for Helping Abused Neglected Disabled Displaced Souls, is an all-foster organization that focuses on dogs that are hard to place and need extra care. Many of their animals come from animal control organizations or other shelters and receive special help with things like treatment for abuse, help with behavioral issues, or pregnancy.

Adoption Story: HANDDS co-founder Dorothy DeCoeur shared this recent story of a neglected pup named T’challa, now known as Charlie: “When T’challa came into the care of HANDDS last November, he was malnourished and chained outside with his sister. T’challa immediately stole the hearts of his foster families for being a snuggly and people oriented pup. In spite of that, he was given very little adoptive interest. When I spoke with his would-be adoptive mom, I knew it would be a good match. She asked very thoughtful questions about his past, behaviors, preferences, etc. His adoptive mom also asked why he was in foster for so long even though he is ‘so smart and loving?’ I told her that I wondered the same thing for all those months, but in the end, she and I both believe he was waiting for them to be ready to welcome him as their family.”

6. Wonderland Humane Society

Generations of volunteers have helped thousands of animals find homes with the help of the Wonderland Humane Society, which has served the Wexford County area since 1970.

Adoption Story: Cassie Harsha of Cassie’s Kitten Cradle, who supervises all the cat fosters and adoptions for WHS, shared this story of a senior cat named Lady: “The most heartfelt story I have encountered happened a year ago. I was fully engaged in an adoption event at our local Petco store when I was approached by a man and his daughter who told me that they were homeless and living out of their car. They then asked if I would take a look at their longtime family member named Lady, a stately black and white old girl who had seen better days. Their request surprised me but my heart melted when I saw their love for this tattered cat.

“‘Could you find it in your heart to take Lady into foster care while we try to find housing that would accept us with a pet?’ they asked, and I started to give the standard answer of being over full of cats in foster … but their downcast look made me feel all of the feelings of those of us in rescue know so well. Is it ever enough? What else can one person do?

“I finally gave a sigh and answered, ‘Yes, I can do that.’ The relief I saw in their faces! One year later the man and his young daughter still sadly have not found a home. They call to check in on Lady and make sure she is okay. They also offer to pay what little money they can to help with her upkeep, which, thank goodness, is not needed. This is a hard world for those of us who are down on our luck, including animals. Help when you can. Do what you can. You may be the last hope.”

7. Missaukee Humane Society

This no-kill organization came together officially in 1989 when volunteers converted a local property into a shelter and since then has operated entirely through the help of donations. They’re currently in the midst of a capital campaign to build a new veterinary clinic that will add wellness exams, spay/neuter appointments, and vaccinations in addition to their current ability to provide shelter and foster opportunities for docs and cats.

Adoption Story: Kyle Musselman, executive director of the MHS and LeDoulx Veterinary Clinic, told us about Birdie: “At Missaukee Humane Society, we believe there’s a perfect match for every animal—even those with special needs. Birdie, formerly known as Betsy, is living proof. When Birdie arrived at our shelter, we discovered she was diabetic. While many adopters passed her by, one woman kept watching our site, patiently waiting for the right dog. And when she saw Birdie’s photo, something clicked. ‘I was hesitant at first because of the insulin,’ said Jillian Erla, who had previously cared for a diabetic horse. ‘But when I met her, I knew right away—she was my dog.’ Birdie’s calm nature, good manners, and clear training suggested she had once been someone’s beloved companion. Jillian followed that hunch and, after some digging, connected with someone who confirmed that Birdie had been a working dog—a cattle herder on a pig farm. In the months since adoption, Birdie has fully lost her vision due to her diabetes, but you’d never know it. She runs the farm, adores car rides, cuddles every night, and has embraced every family member with love. ‘Birdie is everything I could’ve hoped for,’ Jillian shared. ‘If you’re thinking about adopting a pet with a chronic condition, do it. If it’s the right dog, it won’t matter.’”

8. Help From My Friends Pet Crisis Center

When pet owners in Antrim County have nowhere to turn due to finances, health, housing, or personal issues, Help From My Friends steps in to help take in their pets when otherwise they may be left to fend for themselves. This Bellaire-based organization has a shelter for dogs and cats in need of a second chance and also helps Animal Control when their shelter is overcrowded.

Adoption Story: Animal Care Director Katelyn Kart shared the story of Buddy with us, who may now have more frequent flier miles than we do: “Buddy’s journey wasn’t an easy one, having been returned to us four times. Through each return, Buddy remained his happy, resilient self waiting for his perfect family to see him for who he truly was. Now Buddy is truly living the high life! He gets to spend his summers in northern Michigan, and when the weather gets too cold his family packs up and travels to Arizona and California for the winters! Buddy hit the adopter lotto, and we couldn’t be happier for him.”

9. Horse North Rescue

Not every rescue in Northern Michigan is for dogs and cats! Sometimes our equine friends need to find a new place to stay as well, which is why the Interlochen-based Horse North Rescue has built a network of shelter spaces where every rescue horse has plenty of hay, regular farrier visits, and even guarantees that another horse will be around to keep the rescue animals company.

Adoption Story: Board President Barb Birdsong shared the story of Lilly: “Lilly, an Arabian mare, arrived at Horse North Rescue (HNR) eight years ago after being seized by Animal Control due to neglect and abuse. She was emaciated and traumatized. With time, nourishment, and gentle care, she gained strength and began to trust again. But her past left lasting scars; Lilly remained sensitive and easily startled. She needed an adopter who could accept her, quirks and all. For seven years, she waited. Then, last year, she found her match—a patient, loving home that sees her not as broken, but as brave. At HNR, we believe every horse deserves that chance, no matter how long it takes. Lilly proves it’s worth the wait.”