By William Meiners
Herald Staff Wrtier
And the two signs out front may say everything that needs to be said this election season: “Dogs 2024” and “Cats 2024.”
But the humor in the signs contrasts sharply with the reality inside the 9,000-square-foot facility, where Dalis Hitchcock, who answered a lifelong calling to get into animal rescue, is facing a math problem. One she’s had for eight years.
Hitchcock says she typically adopts out about 10 animals each week but rescues another 25 during that same period—an imbalance that has made her current situation untenable.
The situation has gotten so overwhelming, in fact, that Hitchcock recently made the difficult decision to halt new intakes. In a recent social media post, she stated that she has no space left and is also out of options for placement in her prison dog program or foster program. With hundreds of animals in her care and thousands of dollars needed each month to support them, she said there’s nothing more she can do until more animals are adopted out.
Even though she moved into the larger building four years ago, the space filled quickly with the stray dogs and cats she takes in. Hitchcock now finds herself constantly juggling food, supplies, and donations to care for the animals already under her roof. And the incoming requests to surrender pets haven’t slowed down—if anything, the need has grown. She noted that people are even coming from Ohio and Indiana to drop dogs off.
A major reason for this, she said, is that not enough pet owners are spaying and neutering their animals. Too many people are abandoning their pets when they become a challenge or when the allure of having a kitten or puppy wears off.
To help address the issue, Hitchcock has raised funds to bring in a veterinarian each week, allowing them to spay and neuter 20 to 40 animals at a time—sometimes more. However, the need remains high.
It’s not just a local problem. Hitchcock’s efforts have made a name for Dalis to the Rescue far beyond Gratiot County, drawing people from neighboring states who see her as a last resort. But that reputation is a double-edged sword: with hundreds of animals already in her care, she’s stretched to the limit.
Recently, Hitchcock updated the adoption screening process to help reduce the number of animals being returned, but she acknowledges that not everyone likes the extra steps. She explained that they now conduct thorough screenings, speaking to family members, veterinarians, and even adult children of potential adopters. While home visits used to be part of the process, they’ve been discontinued because they were often unproductive.
The stricter process helps ensure animals go to homes where they’re truly wanted and will be cared for long-term, but it doesn’t solve the overall issue of overcrowding. With the rate of incoming animals far outpacing adoptions, Hitchcock and her team are in a constant race to provide for those they’ve already committed to helping.
In addition to her adoption services and spay-and-neuter clinic, Hitchcock operates D-Tails Dog and Cat Grooming Salon. She also collaborates with local groups like Gratiot Animals in Need and Community Cabinet in Alma, where she donates dog food and supplies to support pets in need.
But despite her efforts, Hitchcock continues to stress that the only way to make a real difference is through more spaying and neutering—and with more people stepping up to adopt.
Hitchcock appreciates the community’s support, whether it’s donating food through her Chewy and Amazon accounts or dropping it off directly at the rescue. Donations of any brand of dog and puppy food (without red dyes) or kitty litter are welcome. For details, visit dalistotherescue.com.