Unleashing the Power of Unity: All Species Kinship's Winter Escape

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Breaking the Chains of Winter: The Mission of All Species Kinship

How a Battle Creek nonprofit uses empathy, straw, and proactive outreach to keep the region’s "under dogs" alive.

In the biting cold of a Michigan winter, the difference between life and death for an animal often comes down to a single bale of straw or a sturdy shelter. This reality is the driving force behind All Species Kinship (A.S.K.), a Battle Creek-based nonprofit that has spent over two decades serving the region’s most vulnerable animals and disregarded families.

A Mission Born from the Cold

A.S.K. was founded in 2001 by Sophia DiPietro and her mother, Kathe, after witnessing a heartbreaking scene common in underserved neighborhoods: dogs sitting hopelessly on chains, tethered to rickety wooden houses without insulation in the dead of winter.

These animals were often viewed by passersby as permanent lawn ornaments, while their owners were stereotyped as "unteachable" or involved in criminal activity.

Refusing to remain comfortable observers, the founders established A.S.K. to dismantle these negative perceptions and provide direct aid.

Recognized as a 501(c)(3) charity in 2003, the organization’s mission is to alleviate the suffering and exploitation of all animals.

While their scope includes wildlife rehabilitation and sanctuary for domestic fowl, their primary focus remains on the "under dogs", specifically those kept outside 24/7 in Battle Creek and Albion.

The Philosophy: Helping Humans to Help Animals

A.S.K. operates on a philosophy of proactive compassion and non-judgmental engagement.

They recognize that in underserved communities, a suffering dog is often an extension of the struggles faced by their human family.

Rather than seizing animals and severing the human-animal bond, A.S.K. works to retain that bond whenever possible by providing resources that remove barriers to proper care.

This "direct-outreach" approach involves driving city streets to locate unreported cases of neglect and building relationships with guardians to improve their caretaking standards.

The Winter Crisis: A Mobile Relief Unit

The need for A.S.K.’s services spikes dramatically during the winter months.

In Michigan’s harsh climate, a lack of proper shelter or caloric intake can be fatal for dogs tethered outdoors.

To combat this, A.S.K. transforms its outreach van into a mobile relief unit.

The organization distributes essential survival supplies directly to doorsteps, free of charge.

The most critical winter resources include:

• Straw Insulation: For just $5, A.S.K. provides a bale of straw capable of insulating a dog’s house for two weeks, offering a vital barrier against freezing ground temperatures.

• Shelter Replacements: The team replaces dilapidated, drafty shelters with robust Petmate Igloo doghouses, which cost between $150 and $200 depending on the size of the breed.

• Caloric Support: A.S.K. operates the only free, straight-to-doorstep companion animal food bank in Calhoun County. High-calorie food is essential in winter to help outside dogs maintain body weight and warmth.

The organization emphasizes that 90% of their cases are found through proactive street searches rather than reports, meaning they are often the only lifeline for animals that have fallen through the cracks of traditional animal control services.

Beyond Dogs: Wildlife and Sanctuary

While dog outreach is a primary pillar, A.S.K.’s mission extends to all species.

They maintain a wildlife response team led by a biologist, specializing in the assessment, capture, and traumatic injury repair of native Michigan wildlife.

This service is crucial year-round but poses unique challenges in winter, when the rehabilitation and release of injured animals requires careful timing and resource management.

Additionally, A.S.K. advocates for the welfare of domestic fowl, such as chickens and ducks.

They advise against the casual keeping of urban poultry, noting that tropical jungle fowl require serious and costly protection against Michigan’s extreme cold.

When these animals are abandoned or neglected—often due to the high maintenance required in winter, A.S.K. steps in to provide sanctuary or facilitate transfer to partner organizations.

The Cost of Compassion

A.S.K. is a vegan-operated nonprofit that relies entirely on donations to fund its operations.

They refuse to let "perfect get in the way of better," striving to leave every animal in a better state than they found them.

However, the costs of winter outreach are significant. A single tank of gas to keep the outreach van rolling costs approximately $125, and spay/neuter surgeries, critical for preventing future homeless animals, run between $80 and $110 per dog.

By addressing immediate physical needs while nurturing long-term behavioral changes in guardians, A.S.K. continues to break stereotypes and save lives, one bale of straw at a time.