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Who We Are

For 25 years, the Humane Animal Treatment Society has been making Mid-Michigan a safer place for companion animals through lifesaving programs and community education.

The Humane Animal Treatment Society (HATS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization that is independently operated, serving the Mid-Michigan area. HATS is contracted to be the sole provider of all animal care and adoption services at the Isabella County Animal Control facility. Each year we help nearly 1,000 homeless or lost pets; providing food, vaccinations, veterinary care, and a clean, safe environment while they await placement in their forever homes or a safe return to their owner. We also operate the HATS Health Clinic which provides low-cost spay and neuter services to help reduce animal overpopulation in our community.

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Our organization relies on donations, local community support, and grant funds to allow us to continue our lifesaving services. Each day we make our community a better place for homeless animals by giving them a second chance at life with the opportunity to receive the medical care and behavioral support they need to make their way into a loving forever home. We continuously strive to educate our community on responsible pet ownership, provide support for pet owners in times of need, and as always, promote the humane treatment of all animals. 

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OUR SERVICES

  • Safe shelter and daily care for homeless or lost pets

  • Routine and emergency medical care for shelter residents

  • Lost & found services to reunite lost pets with owners

  • Adoption services to place pets in forever homes

  • Volunteer and community outreach programs

  • Foster care program for vulnerable animals

  • Low-cost spay and neuter services for our community

  • Housing and care for animals pending cruelty and neglect cases, or undergoing animal control quarantine procedures

OUR STORY

In 1999, a small group of dedicated animal loving individuals came together with a common goal: to save the lives of homeless animals in Isabella County. To accomplish this, they put together a comprehensive plan involving volunteers, adoptions, fostering, spay/neuter services, and a capital campaign to build a better animal shelter for our community. That was when the Humane Animal Treatment Society (HATS) was born. 

 

In 2002, the founders succeeded in their campaign to support Isabella County's construction of our current shelter. The new shelter, operated by Isabella County Animal Control with support from HATS volunteers, was now housing 3,000-4,000 animals annually. Euthanasia was very prevalent, and the lucky animals that were chosen by adopters, were not spayed or neutered prior to leaving. This was an overwhelming volume of animals coming through the facility and it was clear that there was still a great need for HATS to improve shelter operations and adoption policies.

 

In 2006, HATS appealed to Isabella County commissioners and successfully implemented the policy that all pets be spayed or neutered prior to adoption to help control animal overpopulation in our community. In 2009, HATS officially became contracted with Isabella County, allowing us to take over all animal care and adoption services for the shelter. In 2013, the HATS Health Clinic was opened, offering low-cost spay and neuter services to the Mid-Michigan community. Due to our tireless efforts, we began to see a decrease in animal overpopulation leading to fewer intakes, and an increase in adoptions leading to less euthanasia. 

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Since embarking on this journey, HATS has been able to find forever homes for thousands of animals, made a significant reduction in euthanasia, built an outstanding network of volunteers, and gained the lifesaving support of the community through event attendance and donations. HATS will forever work to enhance the human/animal bond by promoting adoption and responsible pet ownership through kindness and compassion for humans and animals alike.

HEALTH CLINIC

In 2013, with generous help from our community, the HATS Health Clinic opened it's doors for business. The clinic, which provides state of the art high-volume spay and neuter for individuals with limited financial resources, has proven to be a lifeline for the residents of Isabella County, along with its surrounding Mid-Michigan communities. Not only has the clinic saved community members thousands of dollars, but it has also prevented countless unplanned litters and continues to reduce animal overpopulation. 

ANNUAL IMPACT: 2023

936

intakes

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611

adoptions

1n.jpg

74

transfers​ to/from rescue partners

​

167

pets reunited

with owners

1,728

spay and neuter surgeries performed at the HATS Health Clinic

98%

save rate

ANNUAL IMPACT: 2022

815

intakes

​

543

adoptions

Photo Dec 26 2022, 1 17 41 PM.jpg

103

transfers​ to/from rescue partners

​

154

pets reunited

with owners

1,904

spay and neuter surgeries performed at the HATS Health Clinic

96%

save rate

ANNUAL IMPACT: 2021

788

intakes

​

461

adoptions

Photo Jan 12, 3 15 50 PM.jpg

75

transfers​ to/from rescue partners

​

176

pets reunited

with owners

2,021

spay and neuter surgeries performed at the HATS Health Clinic

96%

save rate

ANNUAL IMPACT: 2020

584

intakes

​

431

adoptions

52

transfers​ to/from rescue partners

​

119

pets reunited

with owners

1,646

spay and neuter surgeries performed at the HATS Health Clinic

95%

save rate

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