At precisely 5:30 p.m. on November 8, a vibrant gathering of devoted animal lovers congregated at the picturesque Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth, Michigan, for the 19th annual Compassionate Feast. This much-anticipated event, hosted by the Humane Society of Huron Valley, is proudly described on their Facebook page as “an elegant evening benefiting our community’s homeless animals,” highlighting its dual mission of compassion and community support.
As attendees stepped inside, they were warmly welcomed by Darla and Zola, two charming adoptable dogs from the shelter, exuding love and hope. The air was filled with the soothing sounds of live music, creating a joyful atmosphere while guests checked in and donned their name tags. VIP guests, arriving a half-hour earlier, received delightful goodie bags filled with treats, a special touch that set a celebratory tone for the evening.
The event commenced with an electrifying silent auction featuring an impressive array of 206 donated items that ranged from luxurious baskets filled with alcohol and delectable treats to fun-filled baskets overflowing with pet toys and goodies. Among the auction items were signed memorabilia, exquisite jewelry, and even a dress worn by international superstar Taylor Swift. Guests eagerly placed their bids while indulging in an open bar that showcased two specialty cocktails: the Silky Cosmopawlitan and the PrimeStaff Smash, both capturing the spirit of the evening.
At 6:45 p.m., about 500 enthusiastic guests flowed into the Grand Ballroom, eagerly anticipating a sumptuous dinner accompanied by inspiring guest speakers. The three-course meal tantalized taste buds, beginning with an Autumn Greens Salad, thoughtfully designed to cater to both vegetarian and vegan guests. Washtenaw County Commissioner Justin Hodge took center stage with the iconic theme “Gonna Fly Now” by Bill Conti resonating as he shared insights into the vital work of HSHV and the importance of ensuring every creature has the opportunity to thrive, especially those unable to advocate for themselves.
This compelling introduction seamlessly transitioned into a poignant video spotlighting the Friends For Life program, which the humane society’s website describes as a critical initiative designed to aid seniors and vulnerable pet owners in accessing essential care. The video detailed the program’s remarkable impact, providing over $100,000 in veterinary care to help maintain the bond between people and their beloved pets, emphasizing that “animal welfare and people welfare go hand in hand.”
As “Gonna Fly Now” played again, Hodge returned to the podium to express gratitude towards the event’s numerous generous sponsors. He then introduced Karen Patterson, Vice President of Volunteers and Humane Education at HSHV, and Dr. Sharvil Shah, a dedicated member of the HSHV Board of Directors, to present the prestigious Humie Awards.
The first award presented was the Humane Youth Award, which honors a junior volunteer aged 12-17 making a notable positive impact on animals in the community. The award was proudly presented to Clara Piekert, a passionate young advocate who plans to study biology and continue her dedicated work promoting animal welfare.
The Legislator of the Year Award followed, recognizing a legislator making strides for animal welfare. This accolade was awarded to Michigan State Representative Matt Koleszar for his unwavering dedication in introducing and championing House Bill 4849, also known as Queenie’s Law. This critical piece of legislation seeks to end inhumane experiments on cats and dogs in Michigan’s public institutions, named in memory of a beagle subjected to such experiments before her untimely death at Wayne State University. During his acceptance speech, Koleszar passionately encouraged audience members to reach out to their local representatives in support of this important legislation.
The final honor of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Award, bestowed upon Susan Kornfield for her invaluable pro bono legal services provided to HSHV throughout her lifetime filled with generous donations and volunteer work. One of her most significant recent cases involved defending the humane society in a $1 million lawsuit initiated by hoarders whose animals were seized, a testament to her commitment to animal welfare.
At 7:30 p.m., dinner service began with diners enjoying an array of dishes tailored to accommodate varying dietary needs. Vegetarian guests indulged in a delicious Farmer’s Market Roasted Vegetable Purse while their vegan counterparts enjoyed a delectable “Chicken” Masala, sparking lively conversations among attendees. As meals were enjoyed, guests had the opportunity to sip on complimentary coffee, enhancing the dining experience.
Following dinner, Tanya Hilgendorf, president and CEO of HSHV, entered the stage to the empowering tune of “Lose Yourself” by Eminem. In her heartfelt speech, titled “Compassion and Courage,” Hilgendorf shared the moving story of her rescue cat, Courage, who battled cancer twice and endured a leg amputation before ultimately being laid to rest for his well-being. She urged everyone present to embody the courage needed to advocate for animals. Hilgendorf extended her heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff, volunteers, and sponsors who tirelessly work towards HSHV’s mission of creating a compassionate community for animals in need.
“This feast is about the people who defend and care for animals,” Hilgendorf passionately stated, emphasizing the collective effort necessary to effect change.
Continuing her inspiring address, Hilgendorf spoke about HSHV’s impressive progress, yet underscored that more work remains to be done. She revealed that while approximately 97% of Americans oppose animal cruelty, there exist no dedicated committees at any government level focusing on animal welfare, nor are there meaningful penalties for animal cruelty, referencing instances where cruel actions were met with mere $250 or $50 fines.
The second video of the evening illuminated the shelter’s animals and illustrated how compassion and courage profoundly benefit countless lives. As this poignant video played, the final course of the evening was served, delighting vegetarian guests with Pumpkin Pecan Cake and offering vegan attendees rich Chocolate Pot de Creme.
Concluding the evening’s presentations, the final speaker, Dr. Aysha Akhtar, graced the stage to the stirring backdrop of “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys. An impressive figure, Dr. Akhtar is the co-founder and CEO of the Center for Contemporary Sciences, a distinguished military veteran, neurologist, and preventive medicine specialist. She has dedicated her life to advocating for animals while founding the Center as a platform to promote human-relevant testing as a humane alternative to animal experimentation.
In her speech, Dr. Akhtar recounted a compelling story about her father, who suffered from diabetes, and reflected on the two narratives prevalent during her upbringing: the notion that animals used in experimentation are well protected and the belief that such experimentation is necessary for developing medications. Throughout her talk, she dismantled these misconceptions systematically.
In the first portion of her compelling argument, Dr. Akhtar highlighted the dismal reality of animal protections under existing experimentation regulations, explaining how most experiments are categorized as basic research, primarily driven by curiosity rather than medicine development. This research often relies on tax dollars from public institutions and agencies like the National Institutes of Health.
She explained that the Animal Welfare Act, the only federal statute governing animal protection during experimentation, excludes a staggering 95% of animals used in testing, including various non-domestic species such as reptiles and birds. Furthermore, even the included animals face standards that are poorly regulated, lacking real limits on the procedures conducted, allowing for undue suffering in the name of research.
Dr. Akhtar further sought to parallel the fallacy that animal testing is essential for human health advancements. Sharing her firsthand experiences as a neurologist, she indicated that many medical conditions remain untreated despite extensive animal testing, with 90-95% of animal-tested drugs and vaccines failing at the human trial stage, despite prior approvals based on animal tests and safety in two species.
To contextualize this pressing issue, she offered a gambling analogy, where a few individuals leaving a casino with winnings falsely conveys success, highlighting the system’s flaws. “We see a few successes and think that the whole system works,” Dr. Akhtar remarked, inciting reflection among attendees.
She provided further examples, illustrating the failures of longstanding research such as stroke experiments and HIV vaccines that continue to lack effective treatments for humans. Conclusively, she asserted that these tests fail largely due to utilizing species with divergent biologies, leading to unexpected adverse events that compromise human safety.
In response to these pressing challenges, Dr. Akhtar proposed innovative solutions, highlighting the advancement of “humans on a chip,” an emerging method whereby scientists can cultivate human organ cells on a 3D structure to create functioning organs in a laboratory environment. This revolutionary approach promises to serve as an effective alternative to traditional animal testing methodologies.
Concluding her remarks on a hopeful note, Dr. Akhtar highlighted various positive indicators of change made possible through recent legislation such as the FDA Modernization 2.0 Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021. She encouraged the audience to empower the next generation through education, inspire updated policies, and invest in advancing research alternatives to animal testing, leaving them with the reassuring vision that eliminating animal testing is an attainable goal in the decade ahead.
As the clock struck 9:30 p.m., the night began to wind down. Justin Hodge joyfully returned to the stage to announce the winner of the 50/50 raffle, which culminated in a generous pot totaling around $1,800. As guests gathered their items from the silent auction, anticipation filled the air as attendees reflected on their winning bids.
As the celebration came to a close, the final video played, showcasing the shelter animals expressing their heartfelt gratitude. They extended sincere thanks to the volunteers, attendees, and generous donors whose contributions made their stay in the shelter a more comfortable and nurturing experience.
What impact does the Compassionate Feast have on community engagement in animal welfare?
**Interview with Tanya Hilgendorf, President and CEO of the Humane Society of Huron Valley**
*News Editor*: Thank you for joining us, Tanya! The 19th annual Compassionate Feast was a remarkable event. Can you share with us the significance of this gathering for the Humane Society of Huron Valley?
**Tanya Hilgendorf**: Thank you for having me! The Compassionate Feast is a cornerstone of our mission and serves as a celebration of our community’s dedication to animal welfare. It unites animal lovers who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of homeless pets. This year’s event, which raised vital funds for our initiatives, emphasized the importance of compassion, community support, and advocacy.
*News Editor*: I noticed the event featured several awards. Can you share more about the Humie Awards and their importance?
**Tanya Hilgendorf**: Absolutely! The Humie Awards celebrate individuals who have made significant contributions to animal welfare. For example, Clara Piekert received the Humane Youth Award for her outstanding volunteer work. We also recognized State Representative Matt Koleszar for his efforts in passing Queenie’s Law, which aims to end inhumane experiments on dogs and cats. Each award highlights the diverse ways community members can advocate for animals, inspiring others to take action.
*News Editor*: I found your speech about compassion and courage particularly moving, especially the story of your rescue cat. How does this personal experience shape your work?
**Tanya Hilgendorf**: My experiences with animals, especially my rescue cat Courage, have taught me the profound bond we share with them. It also deepens my understanding of the responsibilities we have as advocates. Each animal’s story reminds us that courage is essential in advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves. I believe it’s crucial for everyone to embody that courage to affect real change in animal welfare.
*News Editor*: You mentioned the challenges that still exist in animal welfare legislation. What are some of the biggest hurdles facing advocates today?
**Tanya Hilgendorf**: One significant challenge is the lack of dedicated committees at all levels of government specifically focused on animal welfare. Despite the overwhelming opposition to animal cruelty in the general public, penalties for such actions are often far too lenient. We need stronger enforcement and more comprehensive laws that provide real protection for animals in our communities.
*News Editor*: Your event’s videos highlighted the Friends For Life program, which helps vulnerable pet owners. Can you tell us more about it?
**Tanya Hilgendorf**: Friends For Life is a critical initiative aimed at helping seniors and other at-risk pet owners access essential care for their pets. We have provided over $100,000 in veterinary care through this program, which underscores our belief that animal welfare and people welfare go hand in hand. Keeping the bond between pets and their owners is vital for both parties’ well-being.
*News Editor*: what message would you like to leave our readers regarding animal welfare?
**Tanya Hilgendorf**: I encourage everyone to get involved in whichever way they can—whether it’s through volunteering, donating, or simply advocating for animals in their communities. Compassion and courage are at the heart of our work, and together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of animals in need. Remember, each small effort contributes to a larger movement toward creating a more humane world. Thank you!
*News Editor*: Thank you, Tanya! Your insights and dedication to animal welfare are truly inspiring.
**Tanya Hilgendorf**: Thank you for the opportunity to share our mission!
