West Michigan Museums
West Michigan boasts numerous museums to learn about the area’s rich history and to expand knowledge through activities and exhibits.
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Mason County is lucky to have numerous organizations that are dedicated to finding homes for stray animals, caring for animals, and supporting pet owners.
Community Cats TNR is a group of volunteers, caregivers, and veterinarians working in the City of Ludington and Mason County to reduce and stabilize the number of free-roaming, abandoned, homeless, feral cats through a humane program known as Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). The group was formed in 2012.
Community Cats TNR volunteers meet with caregivers, assess the size, age, and health of their cats, provide them with information on how the program works, show them how to safely and successfully trap the cats, and how to care for cats before and after surgery. A veterinary appointment is then scheduled and volunteers help trap the cats the day before surgery. On the morning of surgery, cats are transported to the clinic and then returned them to the caregiver after surgery.
Two local veterinarians make time in their surgery schedules for Community Cats – Country Vet Clinic, and Animal Hospital of Ludington. After surgery, cats are cared for in the traps either by the caregiver, or by a TNR volunteer. Males are generally released the next day and females are generally kept for three days. Kittens over three pounds (about 10+ weeks old) can be spayed/neutered.
For more information on Community Cats TNR, call (231) 845-9312 or visit communitycatstnr.org.
Fixing Furry Friends seeks to prevent cruelty to animals and provide relief to suffering animals. The group provides certificates to Mason County residents who have dogs and cats to help assist with the cost of spay/neuter.
The group was founded in 2001 and believes that spaying/neutering pets makes for a calmer, healthier and happier pet for the owner. There is also less worry about placing and feeding unwanted puppies and kittens and fewer stray cats and dogs roaming the community.
For more information on Fixing Furry Friends, call (231) 757-9219 or visit fixingfurryfriends.org.
Founded in 1992, Lakeshore Animal Friends is a non-profit organization that works to find safe, happy, permanent homes for displaced animals that come through Mason County Animal Control. The group pays for spay/neuter for all animals that are adopted from Animal Control and also provides foster care for animals facing euthanasia.
Animals adopted through the group are up to date on vaccinations, flea treatments, and are spay/neutered if old enough. They are also treated for any medical attention that is needed and dogs are tested for heartworm and put on preventative medication. Cats are FIV/FeLV tested, as well.
The group has been in existence since 1992 and works closely with Mason County Animal Control, providing many of their necessities. The group is seeking volunteers, foster homes, and donations to support their cause.
For more information on Lakeshore Animal Friends, call (231) 843-1414, click here or visit petfinder.com.
Formed in 2017, this new organization focuses on finding good homes at the Mason County Animal Control and also helps the public place cats and dogs that need to be surrendered. Animals fostered by the organization will be spayed/neutered, given shots and flea treatment, and wormed before they are adopted out. The group’s non-profit status is pending.
For more information on Mason County Animal Advocates, visit their Facebook page or call Sue Smallwood at (248) 202-6915.
The Mason County Mutts is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was founded in 2015. The group’s prime purpose is to work on community oriented projects, education and animal welfare. The group volunteers at the local animal control, as well as rescues and fosters animals. Donations received by the group go towards furthering their efforts with rescue, medical care, food, education materials, community projects and any other expenses incurred in our attempt to help as many local animals as possible.
For more information on the Mason County Mutts, visit masoncountymutts.org.
Mason County PAWS, formerly the Second Chance Humane Society, was founded in 2015 and is a non-profit whose mission it is to end companion pet homelessness in Mason County and to provide an alternative to the euthanasia of healthy, treatable, and adoptable animals. Their primary goal is to open a “no-kill” animal shelter in Mason County.
The group rescues at-risk dogs and cats from Animal Control and provides age appropriate vaccinations, worm medicine, flea treatment, spay/neutering, medical vet care, enrichment, adequate exercise, training, and socialization for animals in their foster program before those animals are adopted into “furever” homes. The group also helps abandoned, displaced, and unwanted companion animals when necessary.
Mason County PAWS Wish List
Mason County PAWS is in need of assistance and has the following wish list:
For more information on Mason County PAWS, call (231) 757-9219 or visit secondchancehumansociety.com.
Mason County Animal Control is located at 305 N. Meyers Rd. in Ludington. They are open on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9am-12pm and Wednesday and Thursday from 3-6pm. They may be reached at (231) 843-8644 or animalcontrol@masoncounty.net.
Those who find lost or stray animals should contact animal control first and they will notify the appropriate agency.
West Michigan boasts numerous museums to learn about the area’s rich history and to expand knowledge through activities and exhibits.
The Annual Show of the Western Michigan Old Engine Club is held the first weekend of August at Scottville’s Riverside Park.
Standing tall and proud along the shores of Lake Michigan, Point Betsie marks the southern entrance to the Manitou Passage.
Along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Ludington and Manistee, you’ll find natural splendor- the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area.
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes has miles of sand trails and hills, where hikers are rewarded at the end with spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
Manistee National Forest together with the Huron National Forest occupies almost a million acres of land in Michigan’s lower peninsula.
Enjoy the happiest of holidays in West Michigan! From Manistee to Ludington and every city in-between, there is holiday cheer all around!
A site to behold along Lake Michigan, these structures with a rich history give both a sense of safety and a beautiful site.
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.
Created in 1980, this trail has 1,000 miles running through Michigan, which also runs through the Huron-Manistee National Forest.