top of page
Report Animal Cruelty and Suffering
You are their voice, so please speak up!
The Humane Society of Saginaw County, Inc. (We) are a 501c3 nonprofit animal welfare organization that is comprised of unpaid volunteers. If there is an homeless or abandoned companion animal that is injured or sick please call us for immediate assistance (989) 501-8672. We do go out and secure sick animals, get them immediate medical assistance and have them recover in our foster home-based care program.
Please note that we are a separate organization than the Saginaw County Animal Care and Control (SCACC) which is our Saginaw County funded Animal Shelter. SCACC has the custodial responsibility of lost or strayed animals so please make sure to email them pictures and information on any found animal since this is typically the first place a person will look for their lost pet.
SCACC is also responsible for enforcing state and county animal control laws involving neglect, abandonment and cruelty to companion animals. They have animal control officers that will investigate animal cruelty and neglect claims. Their phone number is (989) 797-4500.
-
Please call them and if they are not able to answer due to being short staffed and very busy please leave a message with your name and call back number so an animal control officer can call you back.
-
If after hours, SCACC's voice mail recording provides the phone number to call for assistance through "central dispatch". Central dispatch will connect you directly with the police that will assist you immediately and follow up with SCACC regarding the report you made with them.
-
If you are calling with an extreme emergency after hours, please contact you local police for immediate assistance.
-
When working with Animal Control Officers you can request to remain anonymous if you are fearful of retaliation.
-
Please have the street address of alleged violation (if no house number) be able to describe the building and give nearest address).
-
Please have as accurate a description of the problem as possible or the number of animals involved.
-
If possible, pictures and videos are very valuable for the investigators. Document dates, times and specific details.
-
Please provide as much information as you can regarding the alledged animal abuser. Without solid evidence animal cruelty cases can be difficult to prosecute.
Defining Cruelty - most reported animal cruelty comes in the form of neglect, with direct violence occuring less. Often times it can be difficult to gauge whether or not you've witnessed animal cruelty- the following examples may help you categorize suspected cruelty you do see:
-
Neglect, or failure to provide basic needs for an animal. This includes hoarding, lack of shelter or veterinary care, tethering and abandonment, as well as other forms of abuse.
-
Direct Abuse refers to beating or physically attacking an animal.
-
Hoarding behavior often victimizes animals. Sufferers of a hoarding disorder may impose severe neglect on animals by housing far more than they are able to adequately take care of.
-
Lack of veterinary care such as untreated wounds, emaciation, scabs and hair loss, limping, visible displays of pain.
-
Inadequate shelter from extreme cold or heat. Please take picture with cell phone for investigator.
-
Abandoment- animals die every year when people move out of their residences and simply leave animals behind. Please keep an eye on recently vacated homes. Also animals left in cages and tanks by an owner recently passing need to be addressed.
-
Pets left in parked cars.
-
Animal Fighting.
bottom of page