The Michigan Pet Fund Alliance and the Humane Society of Macomb Foundation are sponsoring a $4,000 Out of the Box Awards competition for Michigan animal shelters and rescue organizations.

The alliance created the annual awards in 2017 to showcase creative ways that animal shelters and rescues save pets lives and to share their ideas with others in the animal welfare community.

We are building a database of programs and processes that shelters and rescues can easily replicate by just taking them out of the box and tweaking them for their needs, Deborah Schutt, the alliances founder and chairwoman, said in a press release.

Three $1,000 cash awards will go to new projects or programs with proven results. Extra consideration will be given to those that engage and strengthen relationships with the community.

One $500 award will go to a standard operating procedure for euthanasia.

Despite Michigan shelters achieving no-kill status in 2018 with a 90% average save rate, humane end-of-life decisions are still required for animals that are too sick, injured or dangerous to save. One of the most difficult topics in animal welfare, every facet of the euthanasia process must be scrutinized to eliminate guesswork and minimize suffering for both animals and humans.

Another $500 award will go to a standard operating procedure in any category, such as adoptions, fosters, transport or animal care. Submissions must demonstrate knowledge of animal welfare best practices and exceptional standards of care.

Applications for the awards are due by midnight June 30. For eligibility requirements and to apply, please visit michiganpetfund.org/no-kill-michigan/2020-out-of-the-box.

Michigan Pet Fund Alliance is a nonprofit advocating best practices to save lives and stop the killing of healthy and treatable homeless cats and dogs in Michigan shelters. The alliance provides lifesaving grants, mentoring, educational opportunities, networking and other support to animal shelters and rescues.

For more information, visit MichiganPetFund.org.

See the article here:

Michigan Pet Fund Alliance offers Out of the Box Awards - The Oakland Press