A Legacy of Care.
A Future of Hope.

Protecting and improving the lives of animals and communities across Michigan.
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Our Story

Michigan Humane has spent more than 145 years creating meaningful, lasting change for animals and the people who love them. As the oldest and largest nonprofit animal welfare organization in the state, we serve Southeast Michigan with compassionate care, innovative programs, and a steadfast commitment to the well-being of all animals. Each year, we care for tens of thousands of animals through adoption services, veterinary care, community engagement, cruelty investigations, and emergency response efforts. From offering lifesaving care in our shelters and clinics to supporting families and communities, our work is grounded in the belief that every life matters and every animal deserves a chance at a loving home.

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Our Mission

Our mission is clear: to improve and save lives through compassionate care, community engagement, and advocacy for animals. Michigan Humane dedicates its resources to fulfilling this mission across multiple facets of animal welfare. Whether through direct care in our facilities, community outreach, cruelty prevention, or collaboration with partners and stakeholders, we strive to strengthen the human–animal bond and ensure humane treatment for all animals.

Core Values

At the heart of Michigan Humane are deeply held values that guide our decisions, behaviors, and relationships:

Compassion

We approach every animal and person with empathy, dignity, and respect, ensuring every interaction reflects care and kindness.

Collaboration

We work alongside community members, partners, volunteers, and donors because the challenges we address cannot be solved alone.

Humane Service

Every action we take is rooted in the belief that animals deserve humane treatment, and that our work fosters healthier, more compassionate communities

Integrity and Accountability

We hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethical conduct, transparency, and responsibility to those we serve and those who support our mission.

Meet the Executive Team

Matt Pepper

Matt Pepper

President & Chief Executive Officer

Doug Plant

Doug Plant

Senior VP & Chief Operating Officer

Jamie Westrick

Chief Philanthropy Officer

Angella Durkin

Chief Financial Officer

Megan Ortmann

VP, Animal Welfare

Deb Scola

Deb Scola

VP, Strategic Relationships

Andrea Buchanan

VP, Organizational Development

Tom Varitek

Tom Varitek

VP, Communications

Dr. Crystal Sapp

Dr. Crystal Sapp

VP, Veterinary Medicine

Executive Committee

  • Chair : Sam Slaughter
  • Immediate Past Chair : Katie Abraham
  • Vice Chair : Dave Konop
  • Treasurer: Margaret Dimond, Ph.D.
  • Secretary: Margaret Trimer
  • At Large: Jim Baumbick
  • At Large: Rodney Cole
  • At Large: Cindy Ciura

Humane Leaders

  • Chair : Sarah McCuish
  • Vice Chair : Christopher Boll
  • Volunteer Engagement Chair : Caroline Oberst

Board of Directors

  • Austin Black II, City Living Detroit
  • Ralph Caplan, Community Advocate
  • Richardo Kilpatrick, Kilpatrick & Associates
  • Dave Konop, KPMG
  • Britt McNulty, ITC Holdings
  • Mary Messana, Strategic Staffing Solutions
  • Michael Wheeler, Young Detroit Professionals

Junior Board Members:

  • Andre Gilbert
  • Ashley Williams
  • Brittany Foley
  • Cameron Beginin
  • Caroline Oberst
  • Christopher Boll
  • Claire Slaughter
  • David Paschke
  • Elizabeth Davidson
  • Emily Giles
  • Evan Woolford
  • Kate Holden
  • Madelyn Wisne
  • Michael Boryca
  • Michael Wheeler
  • Nicolette Romans LeBlanc
  • Sarah Gregory
  • Sarah McCuish
  • Sarah Roberts
  • Ted Root

Our History

1866

Henry Bergh, an American businessman, founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in New York. It was based on the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the UK, founded in 1824.

1866

1877

The Michigan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is formed. The Society’s first board of directors included Thomas Witherell Palmer, President, and Alexander Lewis, Vice President, who was also the mayor of Detroit. This organization is the origin of what would become the Michigan Humane Society. This is also the year in which Michigan’s first statute prohibiting cruelty to animals was enacted.

1877

1910

The Detroit Humane Society is formed to protect humans and animals from cruelty, abuse and oppression.

1910

1912

The Detroit Animal Welfare Association is formed and far surpasses the previous animal welfare organizations in the city.

1912

1913

Arthur C. Curtis becomes the Animal Welfare Association’s only employee and is named Humane Marshall by Michigan governor Woodbridge N. Ferris with authority to investigate charges of animal cruelty statewide.

1913

1925

Multiple organizations in the city of Detroit merge to form the Michigan Humane Society and lease property at 7378 Richmond to shelter animals.

1925

1931

The Michigan Humane Society purchases an old factory at 7401 Richmond and converts it to an animal shelter. The MHS Detroit shelter operates out of this facility until August of 2016.

1931

1967

In the midst of the Detroit rebellion, shelter staff continued to care for the animals in their charge. MHS veterinarian Dr. Dewdney worked with the National Guard to provide first aid for injured animals and 5,000 cans of dog and cat food were distributed to owners in need.

1967

1968

The first Protect A Pet clinics are held to help low income families provide their pets with vaccines.

1968

1971

MHS opens its second facility in Westland, MI.

1971

1982

MHS begins construction on its Rochester Hills facility, thanks in part to a generous grant from the Kresge Foundation.

1982

1983

The Michigan Humane Society adopts a mandatory sterilization policy for all adopted animals.

1983

1989

The first Mutt March is held in memory of board member Laura Lee Greer.

1989

1990

The inaugural Bow Wow Brunch is held, drawing hundreds of guests.

1990

1993

Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo” is held for the first time. It quickly becomes the largest off-site adoption event in the country.

1993

1996

Governor Engler signs House Bill 4654, making Michigan’s felony animal cruelty law one of the toughest in the United States.

1996

2005

After extensive expansion, the Westland facility is renamed the Berman Center for Animal Care in honor of Madge and Bill Berman. The beautiful facility greatly increases MHS’ ability to help the animals of metro Detroit.

2005

2006

The Michigan Humane Society celebrates its first “Mega March for Animals” at Hart Plaza in Detroit. The Mega March will go on to include multiple locations in the area to connect with more animal lovers in the region.

2006

2011

Our PetCo adoption center has its grand opening in November. Acting as a satellite adoption center for MHS, this location adopts out more than 1,000 animals each year.

2011

2013

After many years of discussion and planning, the capital campaign to create a new Detroit shelter officially launches.

2013

2014

Ground is broken on the new Detroit shelter only a ½ mile away from the current site, maintaining MHS’ mission in the city for both its animals and residents

2014

2015

The Michigan Humane Society reaches its goal of placing 100% of its healthy and treatable animals into their forever homes- more than 10,000 animals in this year alone.

2015

2016

In March, the new Detroit facility officially opens to the public. The Mackey Center for Animal Care is a beacon of hope for the animals in the metro area.

2016

2020

Michigan Humane Society rebrands itself as Michigan Humane and debuts a new logo on July 26. Michigan Humane focuses on changing the lives of both animals and people in our communities.

2020

Careers at Michigan Humane

Join the dedicated team at Michigan Humane and help make a difference in the lives of animals and the people who care for them. Explore rewarding career opportunities where compassion, teamwork, and community impact come together to support animal welfare across Michigan.
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