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Clinton Township Animal Shelter Flooded: How You Can Help Save Lives
Guest Contributor
Flooding from a burst pipe has left a beloved animal shelter in Clinton Township, Michigan, facing what its founder calls a potentially insurmountable crisis. Rejoyceful Animal Rescue, a nonprofit that has helped thousands of pets find forever homes, suffered catastrophic damage after severe storms swept through the area. As water poured through the facility late Wednesday night, the rescue’s supplies, food, and shelter space were devastated—none of which will be covered by insurance. For those invested in pet adoption and animal rescue in Michigan, this story underscores how quickly years of hard work can be upended.
Michelle Heyza, who founded Rejoyceful Animal Rescue decades ago, was visibly shaken as she surveyed the aftermath. “We’re not going to survive this,” she told FOX 2 Detroit, her voice filled with emotion. The rescue, which began in a room of her home, had grown into a vital part of the community. Now, that legacy is at risk.
Heyza’s journey from a home-based operation to a full-fledged shelter is described by staff as nothing short of remarkable. “She built this rescue out of her house,” said Chelsea Murphy, one of the workers. “It’s amazing what you have built here. Within 10 minutes it’s all at risk of being gone.” That sense of sudden loss permeates the story, as employees and volunteers watched helplessly while floodwaters overwhelmed their carefully maintained space.
The flood struck while 50 animals were still inside the shelter. Staff rushed to move them to safety, but not before the water damaged kennels, soaked food, and rendered countless toys and supplies unusable. “It was unbelievably fast and terrifying,” Murphy recalled. “There was nothing we could do, we’re shoving towels into the walls.” Despite their efforts, the damage was extensive.
In the wake of the flooding, the rescue faces a dual crisis: physical destruction and financial strain. The cost of replacing food, bedding, and medical supplies is high, and the insurance claim was denied. Although the flood followed severe weather, the damage was linked to a plumbing failure, which falls outside the coverage terms. That technicality leaves the organization without the support it expected during a time of urgent need.
One detail I found especially striking was the emotional weight of the loss. Murphy spoke of the donations that had gone into building the rescue’s inventory. “This is somebody’s hard-earned money and they gave it to us and now it’s ruined,” she said. “Every dog toy that now nobody is going to play with. It’s really depressing. It’s just really really sad.” Her words reflect not just the financial setback but the emotional toll on a team that sees their work as a labor of love.
Currently, Rejoyceful Animal Rescue supports 300 animals, many of whom are housed with foster families. The shelter provides food and supplies to those homes, but with their stockpile destroyed, they are struggling to meet basic needs. “We have all these animals to care for and no place to do it,” Heyza said. “We need help.”
The rescue has launched multiple avenues for donations in hopes that the community can rally around them. Contributions can be made through GoFundMe, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, and Zeffy, all listed in the original report. Every dollar counts toward replacing essential items and repairing the facility so that the animals can continue receiving care.
Stories like this remind us how vulnerable even the most established organizations can be to unexpected disasters. Rejoyceful Animal Rescue has long been a place of second chances for animals in need. Now, it’s the rescue itself that needs a lifeline. Community support, whether through donations or spreading the word, could make the difference between recovery and closure.