The Humane Society of West Michigan does not endorse any specific business and its goods or services referenced below. Give a loving pet a forever home by adopting from the Humane Society of West Michigan!

​Welcoming a new pet into your home while starting a business presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Managing both responsibilities effectively requires careful planning and organization. You must adjust to the needs of your pet while keeping your business objectives in focus. In this article by Nick Burton from Our Best Doggo, you'll discover how to harmonize your dual roles as a pet owner and an entrepreneur, ensuring both your furry friend and your business receive the attention they deserve.

Setting a consistent daily schedule for your pet's basic needs is crucial. Regular feeding, walking, and playtimes help your pet settle into their new environment. This routine not only comforts your pet but also structures your day, making it easier for you to allocate time for business tasks. Consistency in pet care provides stability for your pet and predictability for your schedule.

Introducing basic training and socialization from the outset can significantly benefit your pet's behavior. Teaching simple commands and exposing them to various social situations helps prevent future behavioral problems. These activities also enhance your bond with your pet, turning training sessions into opportunities for personal relaxation and mental clarity. Well-socialized pets are generally happier and more adaptable, which can ease the stress of balancing pet care with business responsibilities.

Regularly scheduled breaks for interacting with your pet can be refreshing and rejuvenating. These moments away from work not only cater to your pet's emotional and physical health but also provide you with necessary downtime. Use these breaks as a chance to step away from business pressures and clear your mind. Effectively planned breaks boost your productivity and creativity once you return to your work tasks.

Before diving into business, outline clear goals, strategies, and financial projections. This foundational step ensures you have a solid plan to guide your startup process. Establishing these objectives helps focus your efforts and resources on what's most important for your business's success. With a clear plan, you can prioritize tasks and manage your time efficiently, balancing business growth with pet care.

Utilize digital tools to enhance your business operations. Project management software, communication platforms, and digital marketing tools can streamline your processes. These technologies save time and reduce the manual effort involved in business operations. Efficient use of digital tools allows you more time to focus on your pet and ensures that your business runs smoothly.

Considering a return to school to enhance your business acumen can be a strategic decision. With a variety of available online business degrees, you can find courses in marketing, business, communications, or management that equip you with essential skills. These programs offer the flexibility needed to continue running your business while advancing your education. This educational investment prepares you to handle various business challenges with greater confidence and knowledge.

Identifying critical tasks in both your pet's care and your business operations is vital. Knowing what needs your immediate attention and what can be delegated helps manage your workload. Outsourcing less critical business tasks or pet care duties can free up your time for more pressing matters. Delegation is a key strategy in balancing personal responsibilities and business development.

Connecting with other business owners can provide invaluable support and guidance. Networking allows you to share experiences, gain insights, and receive encouragement from peers who understand the challenges of managing multiple responsibilities. Finding mentors in the business community can help guide your decisions and foster your professional growth.

​Integrating pet care with starting a new business requires a balanced approach and strategic planning. By establishing routines, setting educational goals, utilizing technology, and leveraging community resources, you can ensure both your pet and business are well cared for. This balanced approach helps maintain your well-being and supports the growth of your business while providing a loving, stable environment for your new pet.

​It’s Bunny, your favorite paw-fessional blogger and resident baby hippo! This month I’m excited to tell you all about my friend, Pepita! Pepita is a beloved cat whose family fell on tough times. Even with support from the kind staff here at Humane Society of West Michigan, they were unable to keep her and decided to give Pepita a second chance with us. Poor Pepita came into our care with a painful eye infection that caused her to lose her eyes and required medical attention. My buddies in vet land got to work right away treating the infection and scheduled a surgery to ensure she’d stay healthy!

During this time we learned that this two-year old sweetheart was curious and bold, and just like my deafness, she didn’t let her blindness slow her down! After Pepita’s surgery she went to a foster home to recover, and there, Pepita really blossomed into her own! This little spitfire was outgoing, spunky and fun, and her inability to see did not inhibit her want to play and be loved. She would seek out attention and instantly trusted anyone who would pet her. She returned to HSWM briefly and was even amazing with the kids in our Summer Camp!

Shortly after returning to HSWM it was no surprise that Pepita was adopted into an amazing  forever family. She is now comfortable, loved, spoiled, and living her life to its fullest! I love that the people here at HSWM are always ready and willing to do everything they can to help pets in need, just like Pepita. Though she may be a cat, I think Pepita is one of the good ones, and I loved hearing all about her Happily Ever After!

It’s the end of May already, when did that happen? It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re having as much fun at the shelter as I am!

But enough about me, let’s talk about my friend Angie. When Angie entered our care, this poor kitty was scared. She had lost the only owner she had ever known and had nowhere to go. When her owner passed away,  unfortunately, no family member was able to take her in, but we at Humane Society of West Michigan welcomed her with open paws!


At just three and a half years old, Angie was a sweet cat, but was confused and closed off when she first arrived. She had been with the same owner her whole life and she told me she felt like the  rug had been pulled out from underneath her. She shied away from attention, hid in her kennel, and was nervous around people.  


It didn’t take long for the paw-some staff here to realize she needed some quiet attention to help her adjust and feel more comfortable. Often HSWM staff would be found giving her extra gentle pets, chin scratches, and tasty treats, and within days,  she realized this place wasn’t so bad! She warmed up quickly and began rubbing against her kennel door,  seeking out the love that she had previously rejected.


Once Angie was feeling more herself, it wasn’t long before she found her fur-ever home! Her family now spoils her rotten, and she’s getting all the love and attention she deserves! Pets like Angie, (and even me!) are so lucky to have Humane Society of West Michigan to go to when we had nowhere else to turn.  Thank you to everyone who helps support the pets at HSWM, like Angie and me, so we have a chance at long, happy, healthy lives!

It’s Bunny again – did you miss me?  😊

I just wanted to check in to tell you all about a little litter of kittens that came into our care a while back. My friends here at the shelter knew, as soon as these kittens arrived, that they were really sick. Not only did they have missing hair, but they were also lethargic and not acting as normal, rambunctious kittens should! Our vet staff tested them and found out they had both ringworm and panleukopenia (which is a very serious disease that is often fatal in young kittens). Their outlook was bleak, but our tough team didn’t give up hope! 

The staff at HSWM worked around the clock to provide them with fluids, medication, and top-notch medical care! Once all of the kittens had finally kicked panleukopenia to the curb, it was time to address their ringworm. These brave little guys fought for a total of nine long weeks against their various health issues, until FINALLY, they were ready to go to a foster home to finish healing! This whole fuzzy family of siblings was able to get the space, love, and attention they needed to grow, learn, and, of course, find loving adopters! 

I don’t usually spend much time with cats, but I’m proud to say that I know Minerva, Sol, Fortuna, Poseidon, Flora, Vesta, and Vulcan – these kittens showed us all how to persevere through life’s trials, no matter what they are. After months and months of fighting off infection after infection, it’s exciting to share that they are all adopted and I know they deserve every bit of happiness that they’ve found!

Today I wanted to share with you all about my friend named Reign, who’s a real handsome guy!
Reign came to Humane Society of West Michigan under terrible circumstances. He had been at a nearby animal shelter where he was diagnosed with adult parvovirus, which is an incredibly dangerous, often fatal disease. While this disease is very preventable, Reign had not been vaccinated like I have. The shelter he had been surrendered to did not have the staffing or medical ability to treat him, and so his only options were humane euthanasia or hope another shelter could help him!

The good humans at HSWM work pretty darn hard and they immediately offered to take him into our care. Reign came in rough shape, but let me tell you, we have a great vet team and they hit the ground running with around-the-clock veterinary care of IV fluids, painkillers, and anti-nausea medication with hopes this sweet guy would make it through! Many of the days, it looked uncertain, and I worried that Reign might not make it, but after he was with us for a long time, he was well enough to be sent to a loving foster home to continue regaining strength. I hear that during that time he was able to heal from his illness and began to show his cheerful personality!  

I overheard that his foster said “We ended our evenings with reading or TV on the couch, where he'd just lay next to me with his head on my lap and snuggle. He had a hard time learning "’stay’ but that is mainly because every time I moved he wanted to be next to me. He loves to give kisses and I taught him to do a couple of licks under the chin when I said it!”

It was shortly after I heard that, on one of my walks, when they told me that Reign found a loving forever family and started his new life! I was so happy for him! Reign is just one example of the thousands of animals that come through our doors each year and Humane Society of West Michigan is able to provide the life-changing care needed to place them into loving fur-ever homes! Without support from people like you, I wouldn’t be able to share happy tails like these.

Thanks for being a great human who helps furry friends like me! Can’t wait to share more stories with you soon!

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