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Who Can Apply
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The Michigan Rescue Certification is open to Michigan all-breed rescues, dog-only rescues, cat-only rescues, purebred rescues and those that rescue small companion mammals, such as rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice and rats. However, it should be noted that the program as described in the Best Practices Handbook is focused on cat and dog rescue organizations. Other species’ rescue organizations should contact the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance to express interest in certification. The certification committee will work one-on-one with the rescue group to address the specifics for that species.
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It is designed for rescue groups, not animal shelters. For purposes of this program, an animal shelter is defined as a “facility housing adoptable animals that has scheduled hours open to the public”. Rescue groups are defined as non-profit 501(c)(3) or 501(c)7 organizations, not usually shelter-based, having volunteers who keep the animals in their homes until adoption (foster homes).