blue water woman--winter 2017--YUMPU

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IT TAKES A village by Patti Samar Carol Miller believes in the saying “it takes a village.” Miller, 56, of Port Huron Township, is the head of what began as an online, Facebook-based group called AC “Pawsitive” Change Group. AC stands for animal control and refers to the St. Clair County Animal Control shelter, which is operated by the county sheriff’s department. What started with just an online presence is now an active, volunteer-based group of local citizens who are working closely with the county government to institute positive change at the animal shelter. The St. Clair County animal shelter has one of the highest rates of animal euthanasia in the state of Michigan. Additionally, in the past, the shelter has not always been painted in a positive light in online forums when discussed by animal rescues and individuals who were in contact with the shelter regarding lost and found animals. Miller was among those who knew of less than stellar experiences that people had when trying to adopt an animal. “I told someone about it and people told me, ‘Do something,’ so I did,” she said. Initially, she started the Facebook group to grow a group of citizens interested in seeing positive things happen at the shelter. The group grew quickly. “I didn’t realize how many animal lovers there are in the county,” she said. Miller has worked hard to maintain the Facebook page as place where positive comments and solutions are welcome, but bitterness and chronic complaining are not. Miller, a registered nurse who now works as the operations manager of a hospice organization in metro Detroit, knew that the most effective way to create positive change was to work within the constraints of government, presenting herself and her group as a group of citizens interested in helping create solutions. She also began attending meetings of the county board of commissioners and she talked with them and with other county officials to help them become aware that there are some very good “best practice” scenarios at other shelters across the state that could serve as examples that the St. Clair County shelter could use as the basis for positive change. “We began meeting with Tom Buckley, the undersheriff, and Stephanie Ignash, the office manager at AC, once a month to see what they needed,” Miller said. “Our goal has always been, carol miller Port Huron Township “Our goal has always been, let’s be part of the solution instead of the problem.” ‘let’s be part of the solution instead of the problem.’” The group recently celebrated a significant milestone when it partnered with the county animal shelter and participated in a nationwide “Empty the Shelter” event sponsored by the Bissell Pet Foundation. Bissell generously pays for the adoption fees of all animals adopted at participating shelters on that day. It was the first time the county animal shelter had participated in a community adoption event. “It turned out really well,” said Miller, who helped organize the volunteers from her group. “We had 56 people who volunteered. Tom (Buckley) and Stephanie (Ignash) believed in us and that meant everything.” Volunteers from the Pawsitive Change group are now also regularly volunteering their time at the county animal shelter. Volunteers walk dogs and socialize cats. Overall, Miller is really pleased with the progress the group has made with helping to call attention to some of the issues of concern at the shelter and by offering to help the county government find solutions. “We know they don’t want to euthanize animals,” she said, and noted that there are a number of ways that her group can help reduce the number of animals in the shelter for extended periods of time. “We’re hoping to do microchipping and adoption fairs,” she said. “All of that would help open up more eyes and educate people. We’re hoping to do a lot more education in the community.” Others are stepping up to help, as well. “We now have (veterinarian) Dr. Robyn Limberg-Child on board, who offered to step up to the plate and be part of the solution. We are trying to improve the photos of the animals at the shelter. “This whole thing has been a journey,” she said. “I used to cry looking at the pictures of the animals at the shelter, but now I think ‘we need to find you a good home where you can be loved.’ It takes a village and right now we’ve got a big village. Hopefully we can continue to do good things for the county and for the animals. “I worked as an oncology nurse for more than 30 years,” she said, “and I realize life is very precious. You literally need to stop and enjoy everything in life. I just hope my parents are looking down at me and seeing what we’re doing and that they are proud.” 6 <strong>winter</strong> <strong>2017</strong> BlueWaterWoman.com
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