Help From My Friends' Pet Crisis Center

07/13/2025

People have been inquiring about grooming and boarding. This is a local business who has been a help to us and many pets in the area. ❤️

Nail trims to full grooms, all breeds and sizes. Call for grooming availability 231.587.0533

07/11/2025

July spay/neuter clinic. Sign up at www.tcpaw.org. Payment reserves your space.

07/11/2025

💔 So true. Please spay and neuter. Please adopt from your local rescues and shelters before adopting a "free" kitten. And please share this post so others can maybe understand the suffering that is happening and what overwhelms shelters on a regular basis, but especially this time of year.

07/11/2025

This sweet little kitty is Grace. She was affectionately named this due to being a TNR kitty who Antrim County Animal Control and Help From My Friends' Pet Crisis Center had so much hope for. After just being here a couple weeks, she has become such a sweet, affectionate friend to us and is now joining this wonderful family. ❤️

Their family and current cat were missing a beloved and departed furry feline who meant so much to them and they decided that Grace, now Marie, was the purrfect addition to make their hearts whole again. The choice to select a kitten who would not be as appealing to others was this young ladies' choice and we are in awe of the compassion her family has instilled in her. Plus, this kitten was completely in love with her beautiful long hair and gentle touch! 😻

Thank you adopters, for choosing to adopt at HFMF and not overlooking this precious soul! ❤️

Stay tuned for more information on Hope, Faith, and Mercy (her sisters), who will be available for adoption soon! They will need the same understanding and patience, but will make such incredible companions. Their progress is a bit slower, so if you could help us make them more comfortable and trusting of humans, please come in to give them extra love Thurs through Sun 12-6pm❣️

07/11/2025

Wow. More goodies arrived and we're blown away by the support of our loving community. ❤️

Lots of volunteers in today and our hearts are full and the animals have been sleeping soundly since they left! Thank you!!!!!! 🥰

07/10/2025

This is a well informed and eloquent post regarding rescue.

Please read and share! ❤️ 🐾

Have you heard of LITTERMATE SYNDROME? If not, keep reading!

We see the comments often. People asking us to adopt out bonded siblings together. We understand the intention behind it. It feels right, even loving, to want dogs who grew up together to stay together forever.

But in reality, keeping sibling puppies together can do far more harm than good.

There is a behavioral phenomenon called littermate syndrome that can happen when two puppies, especially from the same litter or close in age, are raised together in the same home. Despite the heartwarming idea of lifelong companionship, littermate syndrome often leads to serious emotional and behavioral issues for both dogs.

So what is littermate syndrome?

Littermate syndrome refers to a pattern of developmental and behavioral problems that can occur when two puppies are raised in the same home. This can include:
🐾 Extreme attachment to each other and difficulty functioning when separated
🐾 Lack of individual development, which leads to poor socialization with humans and other dogs
🐾 Increased fearfulness and anxiety, especially in new situations
🐾 Difficulty in training, as the dogs focus more on each other than their handler
🐾 Aggression or conflict as they mature and develop different personalities

These issues can begin as early as 8 to 10 weeks of age or may not appear until adolescence. The effects can be long-lasting and very difficult, if not impossible, to reverse.

What does this mean for adoption?

Veterinarians, trainers, and behaviorists strongly advise against adopting sibling puppies, or even two unrelated puppies close in age, at the same time. Many reputable rescues and shelters, including ours, follow this guidance and do not adopt littermates out together. This is not a rule based on convenience. It is based on real experience and our desire to set each dog up for long-term success.

Puppies are kept together in foster when young, but as they grow, allowing them both to flourish on their own is what is best for everyone! Our goal is not to separate loving siblings. It is to prevent them from becoming overly dependent on each other and missing out on healthy development.

But what about kittens?

This is an important distinction. Kittens are very different from puppies. In fact, kittens thrive when adopted in pairs. They learn social skills from each other, burn off energy through play, and are far less likely to develop behavioral problems when they have a feline companion. For kittens, being adopted together is often the healthier, more compassionate option.

What is best for the dogs?

The best path forward is for each puppy to be adopted into a loving, committed home where they can:
🐾 Form a strong bond with their human family
🐾 Build confidence and independence
🐾 Be properly socialized with a variety of people, animals, and environments
🐾 Receive individual attention and training

Dogs are incredibly adaptable. Within days or weeks of settling into their new homes, they form new bonds and begin to thrive. In many cases, puppies that were separated from their littermates go on to live happier, more emotionally balanced lives than those who stayed together.

We know it’s hard.

We love these animals deeply. We want what is best for them, not just what feels right in the moment. And in this case, what is best is helping each puppy grow into a confident, well-adjusted dog on their own.

Thank you for trusting us to make decisions based on the dogs’ long-term well-being. That is always our priority.

07/10/2025

We don't have any rabbits in our care at the moment, but we see the amount of rabbits needing loving and responsible homes.

Bunnies are SO much work. They don't require the cage you bought at PetSmart and the pellets and water bottle you purchased. They require larger enclosures and big dishes to drink from, enrichment and so much more, and we cannot understand why stores and breeders would still market anything less. It contradicts what these animals deserve and the space they need.

They are delicate. They will literally die if they are unhappy or they aren't content, caged in tight spaces, and do not receive the companionship and care they deserve.

Please... We beg of you. Do your research before attaining a bunny and STOP BREEDING! There are so many rescues that are overwhelmed, in our state alone, who will tell you the same.

No living creature deserves to be confined to a cage. Do better. Be the change. And please share this post to inform others who may be mislead into believing they deserve less. 💔

07/10/2025

These adorable 2 year old Spitz have experienced hardship and sadly, believe they are home. Though we know this bonded duo finds Help From My Friends' Pet Crisis Center to be a comfortable space, we know they deserve a fenced yard and a family of their own, so we can bring other dogs into our care, who are facing the same devastating circumstances they have.

These two are the ying to each other's yang. They're high energy, sweet, submissive, and if I do say so myself, are the most desirable dogs a person could ever wish for.

They do require a large yard with at least a 6 ft fence and a family who will be patient with them as they learn what a home truly is and what is expected of them. A stay at home pawrent would be most ideal as they have spent most of their lives in a kennel, and even worse. They do have potential with other pets, but it will have to be a gradual transition due to their past and lack of socialization.

We have had so many applications, of course! They are absolutely precious! Though many are willing to adopt them together, no one with a fence has offered them sanctity and we must do what is right by these sweet babies.

Pinky and Turkey will be one of the best decisions you ever made, if you invite them into your heart and home. They keep each other super busy and act as babysitters for one another. They will need an active family who can keep up with them and give them the life of adventure they deserve! They have been waiting for a home for more than half of their lives. Please share! 🥺 ❤️

07/10/2025

We cannot believe how incredibly fortunate we are to have the support of our community. Jenny, the most wonderful manager at Tractor Supply in Bellaire, contacted us to let us know that she was able to donate this generous lot of hard and soft dog food to help us here at Help From My Friends' Pet Crisis Center. We love Jenny and the rest of the staff at our local TSC store❣️ She and the staff were even gracious enough to help us load it into my car, and my tired, aching body appreciates them going above and beyond to help not only the cats and dogs who depend on it, but a person who has trouble asking for assistance. ❤️

Furthermore, an employee of theirs, Alissa Birchfield, took it upon herself to purchase the items in the second photo, based off the items I, the Director here at Help From My Friends treated the animals to and more, because she saw these additional items go on sale and knew we had a need for them. 🥺

The kindness, thoughtfulness, and compassion we receive from amazing individuals like this makes our hearts want to explode with gratitude and brings tears to our eyes. 🤯 😢

People who go above and beyond to ensure we have what we need to continue saving animals are the absolute best and such heroes to us. We are so blessed and therefore, the cats and dogs in our care receive what they deserve while they wait for a better chapter of their lives❣️

07/10/2025

This organization has been a huge help to the pets and their families in our area. Their mission is to keep cat's and dog's bellies full and to help these furry members of the family stay in loving homes when pet pawrents face difficult times and situations.

Please share and aid them in their efforts. Rescue organizations like us and Hoop's Pet Food Pantry cannot do this without your compassion and kindness! 💖

Now the cherry dust has settled, it's time for some real Northern Michigan FUN!! Join all your neighbors at Left Foot Charley for Hoop's Yappy Hour! Fun, silent auction and quality time with the pooches & maybe a few brave felines! The Commons if a great place to spend a summer evening sipping a beverage at Left Foot Charley's Barrel Room, listening to some great music, and meeting fellow pet lovers and their four-footed friends! See you on the 18th!

07/09/2025

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