Big Lake Humane Society

01/09/2026

Dog Size: More Than Just How Big They Get 📊

When choosing a dog, size is often one of the first things people consider. But a dog’s size can influence much more than just how much space they take up.

A dog’s breed, genetics, and overall size can play a role in many aspects of their life, including:

💙 Energy levels and exercise needs

💙 Training and socialization styles

💙 Common health considerations

💙 Daily care and lifestyle compatibility

💙 Long-term wellness and aging patterns

Larger dogs and smaller dogs often experience the world and their care a little differently. From nutrition and joint support, to preventive care and senior needs - size can impact how a dog grows, matures, and ages over time.

"Embark DNA" shared these charts showing how dogs mature and age based on size. While it is not the only factor impacting their life expectancy, it is a solid indicator worth considering when deciding on what breed fits your family.

01/08/2026

🐾Sweet Shepherd Superabundance!🐾

Azul, Benny, Lady, Sasha, Sophie and Suki are six Shepherd mixes that are looking for homes!

They all have so many wonderful traits and Pawsonalities! Follow the link to see their profiles and fill out an application to meet them!

https://biglakehumane.org/adoptable-dogs/

01/08/2026

❤🐾Our favorite thing is updates from adopters!🐾❤

Six years ago next month, Chrystine adopted a little puppy now named Teiris, formerly Halle. Through the years, Chrystine sent us pictures and videos so we could see her grow, the adventures they went on and just how life has been going since she "adopted her best friend".
Let us tell you, what a ride! From making friends at dog parks, hanging with cats, visiting family, riding on boats, getting an RV to travel all over, buying a house with her own backyard, camping, going through surgery and bouncing back to enjoy winter again...everyday is the best day ever!

We are so grateful to see what adoption can turn into, a life full of memories, love and joy.

We asked to share their journey with all of you, and we would love to see more adopted friends in the comments!

Looking for a Furiend? Learn more about adoption online at:
https://biglakehumane.org/adoption-process-application/

See our available pets:
Dogs:
https://biglakehumane.org/adoptable-dogs/
Cats:
https://biglakehumane.org/adoptable-cats/

01/07/2026

🐾 BIG LAKE PET FOOD PANTRY – EVERY THURSDAY! 🐾

Need a little help keeping your furry friends fed? We've got you covered! 🐶🐱
Every Thursday from 12 PM - 5 PM, we offer walk-in pet food pick-up at Big Lake Humane Society (2640 Marquette Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442).

This program has been one of our most impactful shelter abatement efforts—helping families stay together and pets stay out of shelters.

In 2024 alone, we distributed nearly 37,000 pounds of pet food! 🎉

👉 What you need to know:
✔️ Supplemental support—We’re here to help, but we can’t be your full-time pet food provider.
✔️ Limit: 2 visits per month per household.
✔️ Proof of income is required to qualify.
✔️ No support for breeders or colony cat feeders (our cat food supply is very limited).
✔️ Emergency food needs? Call us to schedule a pickup outside pantry hours—we’ll do our best to help! (No unannounced walk-ins, please!)

📩 Want to help?
Donate to support or sponsor a month of pet food and be a hero to pets in need!
Follow this link: https://biglakehumane.org/donate/
Venmo support to: BigLakeHumane
Call 231-773-8689 or Email us at [email protected] for details.
Let’s keep pets happy, healthy, and home where they belong! 💕🐾

Thank you to our 2025 Pet Food Pantry Sponsor Route 31 Credit Union!

01/07/2026

🐾Check out adoptable Keplar and Volunteer Opportunities available to make a pawsitive impact in 2026!🐾

Adopt a Pet with 92.1 WGHN is brought to you by Haven Animal Hospital and Must Love Dogs!

Hi, My name is Kepler: the pup who’s over the moon for you!

I might seem a little shy guy when we first meet, but don’t worry that’s just me taking a quick orbit around my new humans. Give me a little time, and I’ll warm up to you like a rocket launching into full blast! Once I trust you, I’m all tail wags, cuddles, and playful energy.

I’m a curious, smart, and fun-loving dog who loves running, playing with toys, learning tricks, and exploring new places (once i warm up to my new surroundings). Life with me is never boring, I'll bring a little cosmic chaos wherever I go, but also lots of love and loyalty for the humans I adore.
Just like my name, I orbit around my favorite people, enjoying adventures, games, and long walks through our little galaxy. After I’ve burned off some energy, I love landing for snuggles and being part of the family. I’d thrive in a home that’s patient, kind, and active and for someone who will give me time to warm up and then share all kinds of fun adventures.

If you’re looking for a clever, playful, and loyal companion who’s a little shy at first but will light up your world once we bond, and orbit around you with all the love a pup can give.

👉If you're interested in adopting me, please submit an application at https://www.wagtopia.com/search/pet?id=2597963&name=Kepler

🌞Did you make a New Year's Resolution to do something different, give back or lend a helping hand?🫶

Learn more about volunteer opportunities at Big Lake Humane Society!
Spend time with pets, help hand out pet food, use your skills to help maintain our facility, use your green thumb to keep our Rainbow Memorial Garden looking beautiful, help with fundraising, educate the community about animal welfare or help give our pets exercise!
https://biglakehumane.org/volunteer/

01/06/2026

🥰It's National Cuddle Day!🥰

We have some many great cuddle buddies available for adoption!

Meet Ginger and Aggie, two pets that are known for their love of what else, cuddles!

Ginger is a sweet girl who can be shy at first. She spent some time recently in foster where she excelled at stealing toys from her foster brother, snuggling on the couch and playing as much as she could. We did find out she's scared of fireworks, but she feels all better with cuddles and downtime.

Fill out an application to meet her here:
🐶https://www.wagtopia.com/search/pet?id=2557945&name=Ginger

Aggie the cat was found the night before Halloween left in our parking lot next to the Scooby van.
She is an absolute sweetheart who loves nothing more than, you guessed it, cuddles!
She loves treats, attention and watching everything you do. With Aggie, you're never alone, and she's always ready to give some love.

Fill out an application to meet her here:
🐱https://www.wagtopia.com/search/pet?id=2563752&name=Aggie

01/05/2026

🎉 We're celebrating pawtnerships that make a difference!🎉

One of the biggest impacts we were and continue to be a part of is Cathy Bissell's BISSELL Pet Foundation’s "Fix the Future" initiative.

😺🐶In 2025, more than 210,000 spay/neuter surgeries were completed nationwide!
The goal is to increase access to care in areas that struggle to provide affordable spay/neuter options.

Our volunteers from Big Lake Humane Society and Big Lake Community Animal Clinic transported public and shelter dogs to Grand Rapids and our clinic hosted several cat surgery days throughout the year.

Through Fix the Future®, BISSELL Pet Foundation is helping shelters and clinics across the country provide affordable spay/neuter services that prevent unwanted litters and giving more pets the chance at happy, healthy lives.

At Big Lake Community Animal Clinic alone, more than 780 pets were spayed or neutered this year thanks to Fix the Future®!

01/05/2026

🎁The 2026 Calender is available to order!🎁

Did you adopt from Big Lake in the last year?
Your pet might be in the 2026 Calender!

Check it out here:

https://biglakehumanemerch.square.site/product/big-lake-humane-society-2026-calendar/R3D6LCUHCEVMMZX4XITNG4LV?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false

✨ Special Monday Offer! ✨
Every Monday is , so enjoy 10% OFF your total purchase!

🐾 Check out our online merch store for an amazing selection of:
🐶 Seasonal apparel
🐾 Accessories
🐕 Pet supplies
🐾 Rescue-inspired designs
🐱 Vet med designs

There’s something for everyone, and every single purchase supports our mission to save lives and provide care for animals in need. 💕

🛒 Don’t wait! Visit: https://biglakehumanemerch.square.site/

01/04/2026

Happy Sundog!

Congratulations to Blitzen, Skip (Cathy Bissell BISSELL Pet Foundation), Peter and their new families!

Interested in learning more about adoption?
Check out our available pets online today!

Cats:
https://biglakehumane.org/adoptable-cats/

Dogs:
https://biglakehumane.org/adoptable-dogs/

01/03/2026

Don't forget just because it's winter!

💊 Friendly Reminder! 💊

It’s the first of the month, which means it’s time to give your pet their monthly preventatives!

✔️ Flea & tick prevention
✔️ Heartworm prevention
✔️ Parasite protection

Even in colder months, parasites don’t take a break and staying consistent keeps your pets healthy year-round.

Questions about which prevention is right for your pet?
📞 Call Big Lake Community Animal Clinic - 231-799-1074

💙 Saving animals. Serving community.

01/03/2026

Happy National Motivation & Inspiration Day ✨

Some days are hard.
Some days are exhausting.
But every single day, we’re motivated by the same thing – Saving pets and serving our community!

This past year, that motivation turned into real, measurable impact across our shelter and clinic:
🐾 Big Lake Humane Society – 2025 Impact
• 539 pets entered our shelter’s care
• 97.7% save rate
• 22,500 lbs of pet food distributed through our Pet Pantry
• 3,399 pets supported through the Pet Pantry
🐶 2,241 dogs | 🐱 1,158 cats

🩺 Big Lake Community Animal Clinic – 2025 Impact
• 6,255 animals received care
• 1,106 spay & neuter surgeries performed
• 3,924 pets vaccinated, including:
💙 1,763 FREE vaccines made possible by the support of the Petco Love
• 414 microchips implanted
• $71,840 in veterinary services donated to local animal rescues

Behind every number is a pet who felt relief, a family who felt hope, and a future made a little brighter.

Thank you for trusting Big Lake Community Animal Clinic and Big Lake Humane Society with your pets and for being part of what inspires us to keep showing up, even on the hardest days. 🐶🐱

If you’re looking for a way to turn inspiration into action, consider making a donation today!

🔗 Donate: https://app.theauxilia.com/pay/biglakedonation

🛒 Shop our Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/2QW3KPEFDUASL/ref=cm_sw_su_w

01/01/2026

📣Happy New Year!📣

Looking for a Furiend to enrich your life in 2026? We have 73 pets in our care with over 50 available for adoption!
From Ace the Yorkie to Zoolander the beautiful black cat (and his equally photogenic brother Hansel) we have cats and dogs of all types, sizes, ages and pawsonalities!

Check out our available pets online today!
🐱Cats:
https://biglakehumane.org/adoptable-cats/
🐶Dogs:
https://biglakehumane.org/adoptable-dogs/

Unable to adopt, but still want to help pets find healthy, happy homes?
Learn more about volunteering, fostering, upcoming events and ways to donate online at biglakehumane.org today!