Paws for Life Animal Rescue

Please speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Make a call for them.

If you live or work in St Clair County, Michigan, you're going to want to read this!

ST CLAIR COUNTY, MICHIGAN, the animals need you now! Please attend the St Clair County Board of Commissioners meeting tomorrow, Thursday, April 16 at 6 p.m. in the Board of Commissioners Room, County Administrative Office Building, 2nd Floor, 200 Grand River Ave, Port Huron, MI 48060

HERE'S WHY:

You worked for decades to improve animal care and control services for the animals and the people in your county. You took your animal shelter from one of the worst in the state to one of the best. Your dedication resulted in massive life-saving for pets and livestock.

Now we are watching an uncaring, overreaching, uneducated board of commissioners undo all of it. And they've been doing it in secrecy, violating the Open Meetings Act and the rights of St Clair County residents.

The misbehavior by the board of commissioners, led by Chairman Steve Simasko, began coming to light after St Clair County sheriff's deputies illegally and inhumanely killed a lost dog December 13, 2025, which has since resulted in a federal lawsuit.

The public outcry and disturbing video footage SHOULD HAVE led the county to mandate additional officer training. Instead, they went the other direction and doubled down on a cover up. And whistleblowers began blowing the whistle on the backdoor, secret meetings and private decisions being made. We've heard from dispatchers, sheriff's deputies, township supervisors from within the county and hundreds of concerned citizens, shedding light on the misbehavior and illegal actions of the Board of Commissioners.

Following a massive animal cruelty case involving severely neglected, dead and dying animals, for which the defendants, known as the Tuckers, later plead guilty, St Clair County Commissioner David Rushing made comments August 21, 2025, during a public board meeting.

Commissioner Rushing wanted the county's elected officials, the board of commissioners, to send a letter to the prosecutor in support of the animal abusers, pressuring the prosecutors to drop the charges. This is an abhorrent abuse of power, government overreach and obstruction of justice. Commissioner Rushing is clearly unfit to govern and to represent his constituents. Commissioner Rushing needs to be recalled.

You can watch and listen to the disturbing conversation at the 2:17 mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDr8_bUoTH4

The commissioners' brazen attempt to interfere with the prosecutors and the investigation didn't stop there.
Following the Tuckers' guilty plea, the commissioners, who are not supposed to involve themselves in department policy decisions, decided to put a stop to animal cruelty investigations of farm animals. They dictated that animal control is no longer allowed to handle livestock calls for help for any reason. Those responsibilities were transferred to the sheriff's department - the ones who just illegally, inhumanely killed a lost dog. The commissioners denied their constituents and community members the opportunity for public input and comment.

As an example, in late March, 200+ chickens and other animals were abandoned and had moved into the road. Animal control was prevented from responding. The sheriff's deputies were dispatched instead. Radio traffic and dispatch scanners revealed the deputies had no training nor interest in helping the animals. So one deputy blocked traffic and sat in his car. That's the extent of the sheriff's response to animals in need.

The animals deserve better. The community deserves better.

St Clair County is known for a high number of backyard breeders, hobby farms and animal cruelty cases - specifically farm animals.
The county has one of the highest rates for animal abuse claims. One of the next large scale cruelty investigations happened in Clyde Twp. and resulted in uncovering hundreds of dead and neglected animals. Details: https://www.thetimesherald.com/.../clyde.../89549586007/?

Once again, the board of commissioners interferes, demanding that the prosecutor drop the forfeiture charges and demanding that animal control return the surviving animals to the defendant. Not only is this, again, obstruction of justice and government overreach, but it's complicity in the crime of animal neglect and abandonment.

For a short period of time, the surviving animals received vet care, proper food, clean water and TLC. But now elected officials and the county administrator Tom Hull have decided to participate in animal cruelty by forcing the animals to be returned to their abuser. This information was verified by an employee from within the county prosecutor's office.

Animal welfare advocates have seen this all before. This is not a new playbook. It's old and we can predict their next move. These commissioners with the help of administrator/comptroller Tom Hull will strip the county of its animal protection ordinances and revert to the 1900s model of catch and kill, turning the county shelter into a dog pound with a dogcatcher.

The commissioners will mandate that animal control (or whatever is left of animal control when their done) does nothing more than enforce the stray hold law and kill the animals who are not reclaimed. They will end rescue partnerships. They will end robust adoptions programs. They will end shelter transfers. They will end community outreach programs. They will end all cruelty and neglect investigations. They will end volunteer opportunities. They will end all of the incredible life-saving work that's been accomplished by the staff, volunteers, partners, advocates and community members of St. Clair County.

SPEAK FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

Attend the St Clair County Board of Commissioners meeting Thursday, April 16 at 6 p.m.
Board of Commissioners Room
County Administrative Office Building, 2nd Floor
200 Grand River Ave, Port Huron, MI 48060

The animals are counting on you.

UPDATE: We have received so many requests for a wish list that we created one for Jordan and Fred's greatest needs. Thank you, everyone, in advance!

HOUSEWARMING WISH LIST: https://a.co/0aLW8ojf

It's a Fred and Jordan update! They finally found a dog-friendly apartment! Jordan has moved in with his air mattress, TV and microwave. Paws for Life was able to get him some basics, like a vacuum, couch, lamps and coffee table, but we'd love to help him fully equip his apartment. Once he has a stocked apartment, Fred dog comes home to him.

This community gave them a Christmas. Can we also outfit his new apartment?

If you have any of the following hanging around in a storage unit, garage, basement, etc., and you no longer need them, we are collecting apartment donations for Jordan and Fred this weekend.
Just let us know if you have something for them and we'll message you to make arrangements.

This is what they need:
- Pyrex anything
- Kitchen knife set
- Fans (like a floor fan or box fan)
- Handheld dustbuster/vacuum

(PHOTO: Fred snoozing on his heated bed)

UPDATE: We have received so many requests for a wish list that we created one for Jordan and Fred's greatest needs. Thank you, everyone, in advance!

HOUSEWARMING WISH LIST: https://a.co/0aLW8ojf

It's a Fred and Jordan update! They finally found a dog-friendly apartment! Jordan has moved in with his air mattress, TV and microwave. Paws for Life was able to get him some basics, like a vacuum, couch, lamps and coffee table, but we'd love to help him fully equip his apartment. Once he has a stocked apartment, Fred dog comes home to him.

This community gave them a Christmas. Can we also outfit his new apartment?

If you have any of the following hanging around in a storage unit, garage, basement, etc., and you no longer need them, we are collecting apartment donations for Jordan and Fred this weekend.

Just let us know if you have something for them and we'll message you to make arrangements.

This is what they need:

- Pyrex anything
- Kitchen knife set
- Fans (like a floor fan or box fan)
- Handheld dustbuster/vacuum

Paws for Life Rescue sends a heartfelt THANK YOU to each and every one of you who donated to our Adopt a Family for Christmas project to give a kid and his dog a holiday, their first Christmas alone.

When Jordan arrived home from work on the Saturday before Christmas, he came home to this - the mountain of presents you see in this photo. This is because of your compassion and generosity.

Jordan texted us, "OMG. I could cry right now. I didn't know anyone cared."

We had given him a heads up the day before because we were worried about porch thefts, but we were able to work with the delivery drivers to put everything behind the house. So Jordan knew people were going to give him, and Fred, a Christmas, but we exceeded his wildest dreams, and our expectations, by a mile.

The next day, Jordan texted us, "I feel so grateful. I am trying on some of these clothes. I haven't had new clothes or shoes in years."

The following day when Jordan returned home from work, we received the next text, "This is insane. I am overwhelmed, but coming home to a mountain of gifts cheers me up for sure. I don't know how to possibly thank everyone. I'm appreciative of all of it."

Jordan immediately began wearing his new Carhartt coat with matching new hat, gloves and snow boots for his walks to and from work. Fred has new everything that a senior dog could need. He has three toy boxes filled to the brim and each day he picks out a new one to carry around.

On behalf of Jordan, Fred and everyone at Paws for Life Rescue, thank you! Thank you for being kind, generous, thoughtful humans.

Happy New Year!

ADOPTED. Meet Pippen and Piper! These polydactyl brothers were born October 7, 2025. They are now ready to venture off to find lifelong, loving homes. Or, better yet, adopt them as a pair. Pippen is grey and Piper is a buff, light orange color. These boys love to wrestle and play with toys. They are sweet, friendly, cuddly lap kittens, when they've worn themselves out from play, play and more play. Adoption fee: $125. Adopt a pair: $200. Fee includes testing, deworming, vaccinations, spay/neuter and microchip. Apply online at https://form.jotform.us/72344550240144.

2026 UPDATE: see PFL's comment with photo.

ADOPT A FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS. Thank you to everyone who has contributed a gift so far! We are off to a great start, giving Fred and Jordan the Christmas they deserve. Please share our Adopt a Family campaign with your friends and family. You never know who else is looking to help someone out this season. The wish list link is active and ready: https://a.co/3wN9Z9m

If you cannot afford a gift, that's OK. Consider mailing a Christmas card to Jordan and Fred with words of hope, support, wisdom, advice and/or a cheerful Merry Christmas. The kindness of strangers, even the simplest gestures, goes a long way.

Mail to:

Jordan Radlick
c/o Paws for Life
318 John R Rd #244
Troy, MI 48083

Thank you and Happy Holidays!