Animal Control

How to Surrender a Pet

  • Call the Animal Shelter at 989-705-7632
  • Pets are accepted on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays only
  • Pet can be checked by a Veterinarian before being placed for adoption.

Donation Wish List

  • Bowls (stainless, spill-proof work well)
  • Brushes
  • Cat and Dog Food
  • Cat Scratching Posts
  • Cleaning Supplies (we use a lot of bleach)
  • Collars and Leashes (new or used in good condition)
  • Dog Walker (Do you need exercise? Come walk a dog on your lunch break or anytime.)
  • Kitty Litter
  • Litter Boxes
  • Nail Trimmers
  • Pet Beds
  • Other (just ask, chances are we can use it)

Adoption Application

This Adoption Questionnaire (PDF) can be printed and submitted to the Animal Shelter or emailed directly to them.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

 You can submit a completed FOIA Request Form to the FOIA Coordinator via email. You may also submit a completed form via fax to 989-731-7529.

 FOIA Procedures and Guidelines (PDF). 

FOIA Requests may also be obtained at the Otsego County Animal Control office. There is no guarantee that you are entitled to, or will receive, all of the information you are requesting. For individuals requesting copies of reports, in most cases the identity of the Reporting Party is not included in what will be returned to you.  If you have questions or concerns regarding your request, please contact the FOIA Coordinator at 989-731-7520. 

Bite Reports

Bite Reports do not require a FOIA if the person requesting the information meets one of the following criteria:

  • Requesting Party is a victim of a bite incident
  • Requesting Party is the legal Parent/Guardian of a bite victim that is under 18 years of age
  • Requesting Party is the owner of an animal that was reported to have bitten

To receive your bite report, come into the Otsego County Animal Control office during our open hours with your government issued ID.

No Kill Policy

On January 1, 1999, the Donald Reece Animal Shelter became the first municipal no kill shelter in Michigan. On May 11, 1999, Otsego County made this no kill "policy" an official resolution. The resolution was founded on the basis that Otsego County believed it to be in the best interest of the citizens to enhance the quality of life of dogs, cats and other companion animals. 

The County desired an effective, humane way of solving the homeless and unwanted pet problem and overpopulation. This resolution was also founded on the belief that only those animals received in a condition of terminal illness or mortal injury that are beyond clinical redemption and/or animals that are deemed aggressive and/or dangerous and cannot be successfully rehabilitated with available resources should be humanely destroyed.

Local officials agreed that by aggressively pursuing sterilization of cats and dogs these animals would be more desirable as adoptable pets. In effect, this will decrease the pet overpopulation problem. Keeping these principles in mind, Otsego county adopted the following resolution: Otsego County supports the concept of adoption of all eligible cats and dogs and other companion animals and of a "No Kill For Adoptables" policy with an emphasis on sterilization in order to most effectively and humanely solve the problem of homeless or unwanted pets and pet overpopulation in Otsego County. (This information was taken from the Otsego County Resolution Number 1999-31 (PDF))

For more information on our no-kill of adoptable pets policy, contact the animal shelter at 989-705-7632, and/or look through the No Kill Resolution Resolution Number 1999-31 (PDF).