Michigan Animal Rescue League

This rescue is, unfortunately, one which seems out of touch with with its own mission and, frankly, the times. After going through the application process, as the owner of a dog I adopted from another rescue over a year ago for whom I have provided a good, loving home, improving her health and caring for her very well, I was told no before my application was even reviewed because I rent, rather than owning, and don’t have a Michigan driver’s licence. From my experience and the other reviews here, it seems like this rescue seems to think that the only way to guarantee a good home and financial stability is owning a home, which, unfortunately, is a statement that hasn’t really been true since the 1970s or so, and is an especially dangerous assumption to make in the greater Detroit area in the 2010s. Many rentals are larger than houses or in better repair; many renters are financially stable; many people are good dog owners who live in the modern day where people live in different states than those of their origin. Rather than making decisions based on outdated criteria, good rescue organizations (like the Humane Society of Huron Valley and Last Day Dog Rescue) take the time to properly evaluate people who want to adopt an animal, which makes them better able to place their animals and live up to their own mission statement and values.

The animals are very well cared for but we were denied for a completely ridiculous reason. I understand wanting to be sure that the animals are in great homes (which the cat we wanted would have been) but this is why they have cats that have been there so long. She would have been exponentially better off in our loving home than she is there, getting very little attention. It felt like there was a secret we were missing out on. If by «different breed» of shelter you mean «overly selective» then I guess you’re doing great. The second shelter we visited accepted us on the spot and we left with our new buddy that day.

We were very pleased with adoption process, with the obvious care given to the animals at MARL, and with the dog we’ve had from there for the past year.
MARL is not a fancy place and I like that. Some shelters have put so much money into a fancy building, fancy play areas for the animals, … It’s really off putting — run more for the people than for the animals. MARL is just a straight up animal shelter, where the people care, understand the animals and their work, and are pros. It was a pleasure working with them through the process to adopt our dog.
They take care that the animals get good homes, so expect the process to take a bit of time. I’d say it was fully worth it.

I had been researching your organization for weeks. I was referred by a co-​worker who adopted her dogs from MARL.
I was ready to adopt. My fiancé and I made the long trip over there and we found Sparky. We both fell in love with him. We took him out to the dog run and it was so wonderful. Then the man who was with us asked us if we owned or rented. We said rented and he told us that we could not adopt. I was a little surprised by this. It was a straight out NO. I had proof with me that we are allowed to have pets in our apartment and I brought my vet’s name and number for a referral. I had a West Highland Terrier for 12.5 years before she got sick last October. I lived in apartments with her that entire time. She was walked ¾ times a day and taken to parks. After she passed, and we moved, we made sure we moved someplace that would accept pets because we knew we would get another dog.
When I got home I checked the website again. It does not say anything on there about not adopting to people who live in apartments. I really think you need to be upfront about that. Here we were, ready to adopt Sparky, and we were told absolutely not. It was heartbreaking.
I understand being careful about adopting to people living in apartments because it’s easy for them to move and move someplace that doesn’t take pets. But people lose their homes too abandoned their pets. I also know that means that there is not a fenced in yard but that is not a reason to disqualify someone. Lots of people do not have fenced in yards. What is important is that the owner understand what it means to have to walk the pet 3 or 4 times a day. Which we both do.
Like I said, my Tess was VERY well taken care of and everyone knew that she was my baby. We always lived in apartments because I was living in Manhattan.
I really think you should either post on your website no adoptions to people renting or give people who have a great track record a chance to adopt.

Most of our dogs have come from this shelter. friends and family have volunteered and this is a very caring shelter. If you are considering giving a dog or cat a forever home, pay them a visit. You will not be disappointed!

Great place! If I could volunteer here on a regular basis, I would in a heart beat! I got my dog from MARL almost 5 years ago and I tell EVERYONE I can about how wonderful they are.
The shelter is clean, you can tell the animals are taken care of, and they’re incredibly particular about the adoptions. At the time, I thought it was ridiculous that I (at the age of 23) couldn’t adopt and animal because I wasn’t the home owner… but really, how wonderfully responsible that is that they won’t just sign an animal over to a random 13 year old, only to have it sent back or released on the street. Their adoption interview was exceptionally thorough and it’s evident that they care about the well-​being of the animals.
MARL’s the first place I’ll go to adopt in the future!

Not only do I LOVE what they do, but I have found my two best friends here! This is the best run shelter I have come across and think their adoption fees are appropriate. They try to really tell you about the animal you are looking at with as much details as they know, and give you time to get to know them. I love that they care so much for the animals that many shelters would just euthanize. If you are looking to add a new animal to your family and help out a great organization this is the place!

When no one would take into two abandoned kitties in the middle of winter Michigan Animal Rescue did. Even though they were filled, they found room at the inn. This is a no kill shelter and they are well worth your support. Kind and caring staff. They take good care of their animals.