Animal shelter receives Michigan Pet Fund Alliance award

IRONWOOD — HOPE Animal Shelter in Ironwood won the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance’s “Outstanding Open Admission Small Shelter” award for 2012 because it saved more than 94 percent of its pets.

Half of animals that enter American animal shelters do not leave them alive.

HOPE won the award in 2010 and 2011 as well, said director Randy Kirchoff, with Gogebic County earning recognition last year as one of the top 10 no-kill communities in Michigan.

Fifty kittens and cats are currently housed at the shelter, with some in foster homes, said Kirchoff.

The shelter is always looking for volunteers or foster caregivers for the animals, even if only for a week or two.

Twelve dogs are boarded at the shelter right now, said Kirchoff.

For more information, contact HOPE at 932-1511 or visit its website at http://www.myhopeanimalshelter.org