Building Compassion

Dear Scott,

Please help the Michigan Humane Society reach other animal lovers by forwarding this e-newsletter to friends and family! 

Michigan Humane Society Opens the Door to the Future with its New Westland Facility: the Berman Center for Animal Care

We are pleased to announce that the Michigan Humane Society has made great progress toward a better future for the animals with the opening of our new Westland adoption and veterinary medical center.  This renovation and expansion project begins a new era for animal welfare in Southeast Michigan.  The state-of-the-art facility became operational and opened to the public in April, replacing the original shelter and clinic buildings which date back to 1971 and 1985 respectively.

As a result of this 30,000 square foot expansion and renovation, the Michigan Humane Society will have the capacity to shelter and care for hundreds of additional animals each year, in a much more animal and people friendly environment, while greatly increasing adoptions and expanding our veterinary care program.

With the building project over 90% complete, the support of the community for these improvements is now more critical than ever in helping the Michigan Humane Society reach its strategic goals - especially the 100% adoption of adoptable animals by the year 2010.

Michigan Humane Society’s Berman 
Center for Animal Care in Westland
was formally dedicated and unveiled
in a special ceremony on May 22.

Mr. and Mrs. Berman perform the official ribbon cutting, marking a brighter future
for the animals we serve. 

Westland Facility Dedication: The Berman Center for Animal Care

On Sunday, May 22, the Michigan Humane Society had the pleasure and privilege of announcing a $750,000 donation given by longtime MHS supporters, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Berman.  Madge Berman is a Board Member of the Michigan Humane Society.  The Bermans are the lead supporters in the $6.5 million Westland facility capital campaign.

In recognition of their gift, the MHS Westland adoption and veterinary medical center was officially dedicated at the May 22 ceremony as the Michigan Humane Society’s Berman Center for Animal Care, accompanied by the reveal of the center’s new signage.

In her remarks at the dedication ceremony, Mrs. Berman said, “The Westland building and equipment, which over 14,000 unwanted, stray, sick and injured animals as well as thousands of veterinary clients rely on each year, were no longer adequate.  This gift represents our dedication to the Michigan Humane Society and its tireless work to provide the best possible care for the animals it serves.  We are proud to be the lead supporters for this outstanding and remarkable new facility.”

Westland Capital Campaign

We are happy to report that we have raised over $4.2 million of the $6.5 million necessary to fund this project.  The Michigan Humane Society has received generous funding from hundreds of individuals as well as DeRoy Testamentary Foundation, Ford Motor Company, Durr Industries, Lear, Inc., Bridgewater Interiors, American Axle & Manufacturing and the Nonprofit Facilities Center.

A primary gift of $500,000 in 2003 from General Motors Corporation allowed the MHS to break ground on this historic building project and capital campaign.

We are grateful for their leadership and support.

Visit the New Berman Center for Animal Care

The Michigan Humane Society cordially invites you to visit the new Berman Center for Animal Care and experience the future of animal welfare at this contemporary facility (click here for adoption center hours).  It is located on Newburgh Road, 1/4 mile south of Ford Road.  (Please park and use the new building entrances on Newburgh Road.)

Key facility improvements include:

• New main entrance off Newburgh Road
• Spacious and inviting front lobby
• Tripled sheltering capacity to 315 animals
• Two free-roaming cat villages
• Glass front dog pods with wall sconces and raised resting areas
• Equipment and building materials to reduce disease transmission
• Design and materials to reduce noise
• Additional “get acquainted” rooms
• Outdoor, fenced-in exercise area
• On-site classroom area for training and other community outreach programs
• A 60% expansion of the veterinary medical center including additional exam rooms and surgery suites

Help the MHS Build Compassion

Click here to learn more, take a photo tour or find out how you can help “build compassion” for the animals we care for!