Muskegon Township, Mich. – What began as a dire situation for Big Lake Humane Society has turned into an inspiring display of community support. The Muskegon-area animal shelter, which operates without government funding or national affiliations, found itself facing an unexpected crisis when its aging well system failed, leaving the shelter without water.
The issue first arose in early February when staff noticed a leak coming from one of the well’s pumps. However, the situation quickly escalated, revealing a much larger problem: the shelter’s entire well system needed to be replaced.
“It turns out our entire well system needed to be replaced,” said Velvet Lyght, shelter manager at Big Lake Humane Society.
With the shelter’s limited resources, the repair costs quickly escalated to an estimated $12,000—an expense that could have forced the shelter to shut its doors for good. Fortunately, Chad Brewer, the co-owner of Central Wells & Pumps and an adopter of two shelter pets, stepped in to help. Brewer worked with the shelter to find a temporary solution, ensuring that the water they had could still be used for cleaning purposes.
Desperate for help, the shelter posted a plea for donations on social media, requesting water, paper towels, and financial assistance.
“We were hoping for a few people to stop by and help out,” Lyght said. “But we never expected the outpouring of support that came our way.”
To their astonishment, the shelter quickly raised half of the $12,000 needed overnight. In less than 60 hours, donors had contributed enough to cover the full repair costs. The donations didn’t stop there. The shelter received hundreds of gallons of water and numerous other items needed to care for the animals during this time of crisis.
“It was truly so amazing, so surprising, and overwhelming to see the online presence that happened,” Lyght remarked. “It was a lifeline for us, and it gave us a second wind.”
Janet Pringle, one of the donors, shared that she had fostered several pets from the shelter and wanted to give back to an organization she deeply admires.
“This is a wonderful organization run by wonderful people,” Pringle said. “It makes my heart so happy to see the community come together for such a great cause.”
In addition to the immediate relief, the shelter’s financial and supply donations have also led to an increase in adoption and foster inquiries.
“This support was a lifeline and truly gave us a second wind,” Lyght said. “It’s something we didn’t expect, and it’s been such a positive turn of events for us.”
Repairs are set to begin on March 18, though the timeline for completion remains uncertain. Until then, the shelter will continue to rely on the generous donations of water and cleaning supplies. The shelter is also requesting further donations to help maintain the care of the animals and ensure their well-being.
“What could have been a disaster has turned into one of the most positive things that has happened to us in 2025,” said Lyght.
The Big Lake Humane Society continues to encourage the community to support their efforts by adopting, fostering, and donating. For more information or to make a donation, individuals can visit the shelter’s website or Facebook page.
