Ep. 153 - Saginaw County Animal Care and Control

This week I talk with Rachel Horton, Director of Saginaw County Animal Care and Control. We discuss how she has transformed the shelter by increasing the save rate from 56% to 82%, moving into a new state-of-the-art facility, and opening a low-cost surgical center in summer 2024. Coming from a farm background and Michigan State University education, she shifted the organization from a punitive enforcement model to a community support approach, establishing programs like a pet food pantry and partnering with veterinarians and MSU for student training. Despite facing significant community pushback and online harassment during these changes, Rachel successfully changed the culture by focusing on education, removing barriers to pet ownership, and helping families keep their pets while serving 190,000 residents across 800 square miles. To learn more about the work Rachel is doing in Saginaw County you can go to www.saginawcountymi.gov/ click on Departments and then Animal Care and Control. You can also find them on social media @saginawanimalcare.Sponsor:LIX - check out www.lixpetwellness.com to learn more about CBD for pets. Use code Rescuepod20 for 20% off your first order! Thanks for listening! If you liked what you heard, please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have ideas for future guests please email me at [email protected] or follow me @theanimalrescuepod on Instagram. You can also learn more about the organizations I interview and how to listen/watch at www.theanimalrescuepodcast.my.canva.site