[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6079539,"mediaKeyId","2955497-e89c346a3e3fe4949dbcdc1d56412ede","parentId",2955497,"title","Berrien County animal shelter nears no-kill status; free vaccination clinic fills in days","audioSeconds",216,"startMs",2549194,"endMs",2766095,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955497-e89c346a3e3fe4949dbcdc1d56412ede&start=2549&end=2766","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955497-e89c346a3e3fe4949dbcdc1d56412ede/thumbnail_2549194.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6079539/Berrien-County/Michigan/Berrien-County-animal-shelter-nears-no-kill-status-free-vaccination-clinic-fills-in-days","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079539-efb1ae656dfb9872cd9ef8ae5e0badd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002546&Signature=OpcP~RzPKcaXUpyZ4vLtjYRBYI713BKXHyaziUjKrjAEP3sL9fCXdd51RrVeb-TvMRESwwmWFSxEVgr5a8nv0ZqOgnzVlpgt-bCRqb99N7VdWevkC1Mw7YE2H-0I7CFVWT3lqFU6VpGa4xfBQF6T0lnz2dYH9yx9oGQTy9vxI48vcKL07cVAKGeNI6o9zaZs4FvrrkUvzdksFm0AoqJx1nZm3Ay8Y5KI64PeWn-cP9-ImBM9w9ePS9D7JPwIygAPzZIXEY7JL9x8lWbGYq9g6Ua5L4QFXNkgWTdWXuRhjxBQM-KVU4nIi6Hi0dqGKvWS8hXKiEzwaVKQ6v~VQ5NI-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-11T01:57:54.693Z","article","Ashley, shelter manager for Berrien County Animal Services, briefed the board during Animal Care and Control Week on intake, adoption and community programs, and on partnerships that support no-kill goals.

\"We are only 3 percent away from having a no kill status on dogs, which is amazing,\" Ashley said, and reported a 95% live release rate for cats as of April 5 and a near-90% positive outcome rate for dogs at the shelter.

Ashley described the shelter's day-to-day services: reuniting lost pets with owners via microchips and Facebook posts; administering and hosting low-cost and grant-funded vaccination clinics; running spay/neuter efforts through partnerships such as BISSELL Fix the Future and local clinics; and coordinating adoptions and transfers to rescues. She said the shelter averages about 75 dogs and 30 cats intake per month, with some months exceeding 80 animals of each species.

Last month, she said, the shelter documented 46 dog adoptions (13 of those transfers went to rescue and 39 dogs returned to owners, as reported by Ashley) and more than 80 cats moved to rescue organizations or adopters; she also noted one day had ten adoptions. Ashley said the shelter spays/neuters roughly 400 dogs and 200 cats annually (shelter animals only) and provides heartworm testing and sponsored treatment for adopted dogs.

Partnerships and fundraising were highlighted as key supports. Ashley named Best Friends Animal Society as a partner for no-kill work; she said that reaching 90% live-release metrics unlocks fundraising and grant opportunities through that partnership. She also described a collaboration with BISSELL Fix the Future for sponsored spay/neuter placements. Friends of the shelter (a local volunteer/donor group) was credited with providing vehicles, fencing and medical-sponsorship funds.

Ashley announced outreach events: a Bids4Barks fundraising dinner on April 26 and a free vaccination and microchip clinic on April 26 that \"filled up in 2 days\" with an estimated 400–500 animals scheduled. The shelter also planned discounted adoption fees during the awareness week ($25 for dogs, $10 for cats) and had a small set of sponsored spay/neuter appointments already scheduled with BISSELL.

Commissioners and others in the meeting praised staff and volunteers and asked whether the no-kill milestones open additional funding; Ashley confirmed Best Friends has provided grants and expanded fundraising access after shelters meet thresholds.

No formal decisions or funding allocations were made at the meeting; commissioners were asked to help promote upcoming events and to share links in the weekly update.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04 10 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Shelter manager Ashley reported high intake and adoption volumes, a 95% live release rate for cats, partnerships with Best Friends Animal Society and BISSELL Fix the Future, and a free vaccine/microchip clinic that filled quickly.","taxTitle","Berrien County, Michigan","taxId",13478,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6079544,"Berrien County prosecuting attorney urges action during Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month",96,1355110,1451860,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2955497-e89c346a3e3fe4949dbcdc1d56412ede&start=1355&end=1451","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2955497-e89c346a3e3fe4949dbcdc1d56412ede/thumbnail_1355110.jpg","/articles/6079544/Berrien-County/Michigan/Berrien-County-prosecuting-attorney-urges-action-during-Child-Abuse-Prevention-and-Sexual-Assault-Awareness-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079544-a8183500326109417628a531eba5162c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002546&Signature=Ow0ZlkOATDoY4XqsiAcc39jgtiaUkJfHfPVz0lxmesUC-i01xorgfi-wcKEKHMxTqq~5ER8QHdsEG1wpyw9IgT7frXYrBF~onmhxHXY5cSDiB-SKB1BiheBOLvo5DIc-oPiJBSVtoCStbQ6WAWEtNKwu0zkQ9ySgtf8dnKX0pTK6g0Q3dSyueKlxWYt-ex1j0~G-zlzRen3pZCV0hU9HzFUN89XXaE0M3xXnjMbx5jEZkqIetGGHej75j2DA9xX6wfAqfWDtwLdt2dDkFChEN2ZI4kqAJwF8OPbU7gQ5hkfNjd~DcOhfzvDbEznA1UA7HaWj4fTQBKwzKfSvR99gDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Amy Byrd, Berrien County prosecuting attorney, told the Berrien County Board of Commissioners that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and presented local statistics and resources for victims and families.

\"The reality is 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls will be victims of some type of sexual assault by the time they reach age 18,\" Byrd said, adding that rates are higher for people with developmental delays. She said an estimated 30 percent of sexual assaults are never reported and that most perpetrators are known to the child rather than strangers.

Byrd said community organizations provide trauma-informed support and investigative services. She identified the Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan as the nonprofit that conducts forensic interviews and offers free counseling, and named the Caring Connection (referred to in her presentation as the empowerment center) as a shelter and treatment resource for assault victims and their families. Byrd also recognized members of her office's victim advocacy unit by name: Carolyn Gruen, Kat Reifschneider, Yadira Torres and Zoe, who were present at the meeting.

Byrd invited commissioners and the public to local events tied to awareness and fundraising. She described an upcoming \"Tea Talk\" hosted by the Children's Advocacy Center, featuring Kevin Mulcahy, a former federal prosecutor who also speaks publicly about surviving child sexual abuse. Byrd said the event will be held locally at the Inn at Harbor Shores and called it a chance to learn more about services and community needs.

Commissioners praised the Children's Advocacy Center. One commissioner, identified in the meeting as Commissioner Bob, who said he had served on the CAC board for more than 10 years, called the center a \"critical part of our community\" and urged continued support. Byrd said the CAC and partner agencies help keep children from being repeatedly interviewed and provide trauma-focused, child-centered forensic interviews so a child typically only needs to tell their story once.

Byrd provided local service figures in response to commissioners' questions: she said the CAC serves approximately 500 children a year, and that the prosecuting attorney's office had 23 cases involving child victims in the current month, including alleged sexual and physical abuse. Byrd and commissioners encouraged tours of the CAC and further information-sharing among agencies to track local impact.

Votes at a glance: earlier in the meeting the board approved minutes from the prior week. The motion to approve the minutes was moved by Commissioner Pitchford and supported by Commissioner Vollrath; the clerk noted 11 members present and one absent, and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Byrd closed by emphasizing prevention and the role of community awareness and support services in helping victims recover and in protecting children from further harm.","Amy Byrd, Berrien County prosecuting attorney, briefed commissioners on Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, highlighted local services and statistics, and encouraged participation in events and donations to local nonprofits.","actionData","errors"]

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Berrien County animal shelter nears no-kill status; free vaccination clinic fills in days

Berrien County prosecuting attorney urges action during Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month