Dog License RenewalAnimal Control
Animal Shelter Services
740 Fuller Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 632-7300
Fax: (616) 632-7324
Hours:
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Saturdays
After hours animal emergency, Contact the Kent County Sheriff Department at (616) 632-6100
General Information
Kent County Animal Control Regulations
The Kent County Animal Shelter (KCAS), 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. KCAS 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) 632-7300.
Dog Bite Prevention Starts with You
In Kent County, more than 1,000 animal 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. The fee for this service is $20.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Processing Fee – The processing fee assessed for FOIA request of copies of Animal Shelter Records is $7. If significant time or resources is spent processing the request, additional fees may be assessed upon release of information.
Lost & Found Pet Services – At the Kent County Animal Shelter we work very hard to reunite lost pets with their owners. We admit stray animals at the shelter and hold them while trying to locate their owners. KCAS keeps a log of reported stray animals being held in people’s homes. We also maintain a lost pet logbook allowing pet owners to post their pet’s information for Shelter visitors to view. Since new animals arrive every day, we recommend owners searching for a lost pet visit the Shelter every couple of days. Unclaimed animals are evaluated and placed up for adoption as long as they are found to be healthy and behaviorally acceptable.
To assist with pet identification, KCAS offers microchip identification to all animals adopted or reclaimed from the facility. Pet microchips are offered throughout the year at scheduled microchip clinics held at the Animal Shelter.
Pet Euthanasia Services – The Kent County Animal Shelter (KCAS) offers low cost euthanasia for pets. This service is a drop-off service only. Pet owners are not able to be in the room during the procedure. 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 such as (a photo) and copy of the animal's current rabies vaccination certificate. (Assessed fees must be paid in full and required licesing must be obtained before an animal is released.) KCAS accepts cash, check, Discover, Visa or MasterCard.
Room and Board – for all animals reclaimed from the KCAS is $15 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 consideration, you may do so during regular business hours. A surrender fee of $10 is required to leave your pet at the shelter. Surrendering your pet is a permanent decision. Please take time to consider your decision before surrenduring your pet.
