‘If Not Us, Then Who?’ Work of Genesee County Animal Control Featured in Newsweek

Genesee County, MI — The outstanding work of our staff at Genesee County Animal Control was featured this week in Newsweek, a national news publication based in New York City. The feature cast a bright light on what Genesee County’s no-kill shelter is doing for animals in need.

That work, for a global audience, was seen through the eyes of Ladybug, a pit bull mix with a history of abuse evidenced by her palpable fear of humans, even the nicest humans like our very own social media specialist, Hannah Peterson.

From Newsweek:
When Ladybug arrived, it was clear that she’d been through plenty of trauma. Hannah Peterson, 27, a staff member at Genesee County Animal Control, could see that she was “absolutely terrified” and didn’t trust people. Indeed, Peterson told Newsweek that Ladybug looked like she’d “lost hope in humanity.”
The poor dog refused to get out of the car at first, trying to shrink into the backseat instead. She had to be carried into the shelter and placed in a kennel, where staff did their best to make her feel comfortable.

Dedicated to finding forever homes for abandoned and abused pets like Ladybug, GCAC is a vital resource for residents of Genesee County. The shelter embodies one of the major priorities of the Board of Commissioners by promoting healthy, safe and livable communities across Genesee County.

Hannah says there are always days when a particular animal weighs more heavily on the hearts of the GCAC staff, and Ladybug was one of those animals. To find Ladybug a home, Hannah had to first make her famous.

Ladybug’s story highlights the critical role of social media in the daily operations of GCAC to connect with the community, raise awareness about the plight of animals in their care, and ensure animal wellness is at the forefront of minds across the region.

Jay Parker, GCAC Director, says using social media has been a game changer for furthering the mission of GCAC.

“Hannah has made a huge impact for us and has given us a much larger presence online,” Parker said. “It has helped us get out a positive message to the county, state, and the country.”

Sharing heartwarming stories and images of pets looking for homes has established an emotional connection with residents and visitors alike. This innovative approach not only highlights the animals’ individual personalities but also brings attention to the sad realities many abused animals face. This can lead to a passionate response, like the one Ladybug received, from people who care deeply about animals.

For anyone, but especially animal lovers, working with abused and neglected animals is mentally and emotionally challenging, something that Hannah learned on day one.

“Working with animals that have been abused is never a simple task,” she said. “For many of these animals, their experience with us is the first time they have ever been shown love and kindness.”

A common question asked of Hannah and other members of the staff at GCAC is: “How do you do it?”

For Hannah, while the work can be difficult, the answer to that question is easy:

“If not us, then who?” she said. “While we can’t change anything these animals have experienced in the past, we do get to help shape their future. This is something that none of us takes lightly.”

Through these community-driven initiatives and the power of social media, Genesee County Animal Control has successfully transformed the narrative around animal adoption, rescue, and fostering. The feature in Newsweek serves as a testament to their work, showcasing their positive impact on both the animals they serve and the families they unite them with.

“Not only are we able to form a deeper connection with our community, but we are also able to keep them informed about free resources we provide such as vaccine clinics and our outreach pantry,” Hannah said. “On top of that, we are often able to reunite families with their missing pets through the use of social media, which means the world to us.”

Hannah is proud of the work of the staff at GCAC and is excited about what the future holds.

“Our facility has come a long way, but we are never done growing,” she said. “We take pride in being a no-kill shelter and have a team of dedicated staff and volunteers who put their blood, sweat, and tears into GCAC every single day.”

Support the Work of GCAC

If you would like to support the incredible work of the GCAC in our community, you can donate to Shelter Animal Donations (SAD), a non-profit organization dedicated to serving animals at GCAC in need of supplies, training or costs to fund medical emergencies.

Click here to donate to SAD.