Animal Control

Animal Shelter Services

711 Ball Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 336-3210
Fax: (616) 336-2425

Hours:
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Saturdays

Kennel/Adoption Hours:
10:00 - 5:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Saturdays

After hours Animal Control Officer emergency, Contact the Kent County Sheriff Department at (616) 632-6100

General Information

Kent County Animal Control Regulations

The Kent County Animal Shelter, a division of the Kent County Health Department, is the public safety and law enforcement agency responsible for animal control in Kent County. Effective animal control protects the domestic animal population from abuse and other health risks associated with humans, and protects the human population from disease and injury associated with animals.

The Animal Shelter provides a variety of enforcement, educational, and animal disposition services including dog licensing, cruelty and complaint investigation, pet care presentations, and animal adoption.

The Animal Shelter is Kent County's animal control authority and is an excellent source of information about animal care, animal control regulations, and other animal-related community resources. Animal Shelter staff can also answer your questions about exotic pets, rabies in non-domestic animals, or refer you to agencies that deal with livestock, wild animals, and breeding. Call the Animal Shelter at (616) 336-3210.

Dog Bite Prevention Starts with You

In Kent County, more than 1,000 dog bites are reported and investigated every year. In 1998, there were 1168 dog bite investigations in Kent County. Over 40% of dog bite victims locally are age 14 and under, mirroring national trends. In addition, Animal Shelter records show that nearly 70% of bites in Kent County last year were from dogs that had not been neutered.

Services

Commercially Captured Animal Surrender Fee – Animals that are trapped by private pest control companies may be dropped of at the Animal Shelter during normal business hours (Monday thru Friday 10AM-5:30PM and Saturdays from 8-11:30AM). The fee for this service is $20.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Processing Fee – In order to process FOIA requests for copies of records at the Animal Shelter a $7.00 processing fee is assessed. In addition if significant time and/or resources are spent processing the request additional fees may be required at the time the information is released.

Lost & Found Pet Services – At Kent County Animal Shelter (KCAS) we work very hard to reunite lost pets with their owners. We admit stray animals at shelter and hold them while trying to locate its owner. KCAS keeps a log of reported stray animals being held in people’s homes. We also maintain a lost pet bulletin board allowing pet owners to post their pet’s information for Shelter visitors to view. Since new animals are received every day, we recommend you visit the Shelter every couple of days in search for your pet. Unclaimed animals are evaluated and placed up for adoption as long as they are found to be healthy and friendly.

To assist with pet identification, KCAS offers microchip identification to all animals adopted or reclaimed. Additionally pet microchips are offered four times a year at microchip clinics held at the Animal Shelter.

Pet Euthanasia Services – The Kent County Animal Shelter (KCAS) offers low cost euthanasia for citizen’s pets. This service is a drop off service only and pet owners are not able to be in the room while the procedure is performed. KCAS uses intravenous injection of a sedative as its means of euthanasia and the cost is $20 per pet.

Reclaims – If you find your lost pet at the Shelter, you must provide proof of ownership (a photo is great proof) and copy of current rabies vaccination. Assessed fees and required licenses must be paid in full before an animal is released. KCAS accepts cash, check and Visa or MasterCard.

Room and Board – for all animals reclaimed from the KCAS is $15.00 per animal per day. This fee helps to offset the cost in caring for the animal while it is in the custody of KCAS.

Surrenders – If you need to surrender your pet to the shelter for adoption or euthanasia, these services are offered Monday thru Friday from 10-5:30 and Saturdays from 8-11:30. A surrender fee of $10.00 is required to leave your pet at the shelter. Surrendering your pet is a permanent decision. Please take time to consider your decision before coming to KCAS and leaving us your pet. Please call 616-336-3209 if you have additional questions.

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