Kent County Animal Shelter

11/15/2024

November Adoption Special!!!

There’s nothing quite like a warm lap on a chilly autumn day. Fortunately, we have many fantastic lap warmers available for you. Whether you’re looking for a big or small one, a fuzzy one or one with a short coat, we have a variety to choose from. Get your very own during our November adoption special!

Now through the end of November, all dog adoptions have been reduced to just $50. This includes a vet exam, spay/neuter, microchip, age appropriate vaccines (including a rabies vaccine), flea/tick treatment and a heartworm test. Adoption also includes a Kent County smart QR dog license AND an additional month of Heartgard heartworm preventative and a Nexgard flea and tick preventative!

Meet all of our adoptable pets here: https://www.accesskent.com/Departments/AnimalShelter/adoptable-animals.htm

11/14/2024

🎂🍭 KIARA 🍭🍬

Miss Kiara is a sweet as sugar, and LOVES to meet new people. She’s easy to walk with and will happily stop at any point to get a good belly rub or a hug. This happy-go-lucky girl is a joy to be around. And she’s going to make a GREAT family companion.
If you’re looking for a new furry family member with a LOT of love to give…. Kiara! 💜💜

Kiara is about 3 years old, microchipped, spayed, heartworm negative and up to date on vaccines.

11/14/2024

We have to talk about another one of our certified Good Boys, Barkley. 🌟

Barkley has been in the shelter since February of this year, he was adopted twice and brought back twice due to no fault of his own (one time he even came back as a stray 🥺 ). He has been hanging in there, playing ball, and soaking up all the attention he can get from our staff and volunteers whenever he gets the chance. Barkley doesn't get talked about much because he is just a good boy, he tries not to complain and is waiting patiently for her new family. 🏡

Barkley is well past due for a PERMANENT home. He would make a great family dog who wants a nice medium energy boy. 💋

11/13/2024

Dante is the BEST boy. He has been with us for five months now and has been trying his hardest to hang in there and continue being the goodest boy he knows how to be. 🥺

Dante was surrendered to us five months ago after his new owners fell on hard times and could not find housing. They had adopted him from a shelter down south where he underwent heartworm treatment and lived there for an entire year. He spent a month out of that shelter before winding up with us.

Living in a shelter on and off for this long, Dante can get a little too excited when he meets new people, but he still *tries* his best to keep his cool and show you how handsome, loveable, and goofy he is. Dante has met some dogs and does well with the right fit. He may be best in a home with older kids because of how excitable he can get.

Let's get this gorgeous boy adopted! 🌟

11/12/2024

💕Cami is still available - she needed out of the shelter due to being highly stressed and got into a temporary foster home. Here’s what they’ve had to say about her:

Cami is looking for her forever home! In less than 2 weeks, she’s blossomed so much!

She’s practically perfect! She’s goofy, got some sass and lots of snuggles!
She loves people! She enjoys a good round with the flirt pole or tug-a-war! She’s an absolute angel in the house when left alone, she waits patiently at the window for your return!

She likes sniffy walks and doesn’t pull at all!

At 2 years old and 50lbs, she’s perfect and goofy!
Come meet this sweet little lady!! You won’t regret it!

➡️if you’d like to meet cami, you need to fill out an adoption survey (either in person or online) and we set up a time to meet her that works for both you and the foster familly. Our website is accesskent.com/kcas to find adoption surveys or general information.

➡️Some times people ask “why don’t they (fosters/staff) just adopt?” These fosters have taken in multiple at risk dogs who just needed somewhere else to land because they can’t survive the stress of the shelter and fostering until adopted helps give the next struggling dog a chance. Bonus to adopting a dog in foster? You get to learn so much about how they do in an actual home setting!

➡️Cami would continue to do best in a routine household, where she learns the expectations from the routine of your days and knows what to expect. Not a lot of random traffic, she’s currently living with a couple with no other pets and no children. She’s been given a bath so she’s smelling fresh, looking good and ready to go!

11/11/2024

The shelter is closed today but not to worry, our dedicated staff are at the shelter 365 days a year caring for our animals.

THANK YOU VETERANS

In observance of Veterans Day, all Kent County offices and Health Department clinics will be closed on Monday, November 11. As a staff, we want to express our gratitude to all who have dedicated their lives and served our country. 🎖️

The Kent County Correctional Facility will remain open with regular hours; however, all other services will be closed.

Our Department of Public Works administrative offices will be closed on Veterans Day. However, all disposal services will remain open on November 11, including the SafeChem program in Byron Center (8:30am-11:30am) and Grand Rapids (1:30pm-5:30pm). The SafeChem program in Wyoming will be closed.

Be sure to join us for the Veterans Day Parade tomorrow, November 11 at 7pm, in Grand Rapids!

11/08/2024

Millie girl is ONE MONTH away from being at the shelter for an entire year. 🥺

She has a favorite volunteer who has nothing but great things to say about this girl, and often takes her on hikes and field trips, where she spends time exploring and hunting squirrels. 😅🐿 Millie doesn't always show her best here in the shelter because it is NOT her favorite place, but when people have met her out and about they describe her as "well mannered, calm, and GORGEOUS." 🥰

Millie would make a great adventure buddy, but she's also happy to curl up on the couch and snuggle with her favorite people. Millie does want to be the only pet, for now, but she has successfully lived with another pup before (we just believe at this time her stress level would probably prefer a very quiet transition, its HARD living in the shelter this long).

Our best girl Millie would love to be adopted before she reaches her one year anniversary. :( Please share and help us get the word out for Millie. ✨🌟

11/08/2024

PUPDATE!

Nano was a senior dog who was adopted from KCAS a few months ago. Today we received an update. We are thrilled that this happy old guy struck gold with his new family!!

From his new family: "I thought today might be a good day for some good news. I hope this brings you some joy. I adopted Nano (now Nano Jones, because all the "kids" need middle names!) back in June, a few weeks before his 14th birthday."

"I can't believe I've only had him for 4 months. He's fit in absolutely seamlessly with my other pup and my two cats. He comes with me to work (doggy daycare) with me daily and goes on woods walks with my mom when I can't take him. He loves walks and jogs more than any other dog I've ever known. He puts up with me dressing him up in silly little costumes. He keeps me company while I draw and guards the bathroom for me whether I want him to or not! He was my companion when I lost my roommate a few weeks after I adopted him and patient with me while we moved to my parents' house and then my grandma's house. He makes sure I go to bed on time--barks until I lift him up into bed with me, so he's also been good for my upper arm strength! He's so quiet in the car, I have to keep checking the back seat to make sure I didn't somehow forget him at home."

"In the past 4 months, he's been camping in Ohio, visited my Grandpa's nursing home in New York (where everyone complimented how chill and well mannered he was!), visited a Dahlia farm with Urban Sketchers of West Michigan (who also complimented him on his manners), taken photos in a sunflower field here in GR, joined our assistant pastor for walks around local woods, and walked miles and miles around town. Thank you for trusting me with him!"

THANK YOU for adopting a senior shelter pet. We are so happy to see this guy living his best life!!!!!

11/07/2024

Thank you so much to Courtney and Emma from Intandem Credit Union! Our friends at the Creston Branch have a fund drive for their customers each year, and have included KCAS as a possible recipient each year. We appreciate their continued support and thoughtfulness – as does our buddy Jacks the cat. 😊

11/07/2024

Today, we are caring for 95 dogs, surpassing our critical capacity. Beyond the list of strays and adoptable pets, numerous animals in the shelter are undergoing vet care, awaiting surgery, or in foster care due to their young age. Some dogs arrive in groups via law enforcement as evidence in criminal cases and must await a custody decision.

Today, we have more adoptable dogs than any other population in our care. Unfortunately, though, we cannot stop taking in stray dogs, even when we run out of physical space. KCAS is committed to not using euthanasia as a population management tool, meaning we do not euthanize healthy, adoptable animals due to a lack of space. To keep this commitment, though, we need your help. We need adopters!!!

Today, we have 44 incredible dogs who are fully prepared for adoption. They are spayed/neutered, heartworm tested, vaccinated, microchipped, and eagerly waiting for a loving home. You can see them all here: https://www.accesskent.com/Departments/AnimalShelter/adoptable-animals.htm

Wendy is one of those incredible dogs. She is sweet, understands basic commands such as "sit" and "Shake," and loves everyone she meets. She is a gem of a dog and will make someone an exceptional companion. Please stop by the shelter to meet Wendy and 43 of her closest friends!

11/06/2024

😍VALENTINO😍

To say we are obsessed is an understatement. This boy has the CUTEST face, and happiest wiggly body. Valentino has never met a stranger and is has loved everyone he has ever met. He's a young boy at only about a year old and the perfect size at just about 50 lbs. 💖

Come meet this sweet boy or one of our many other dogs available for adoption today! We are open from 1:00 to 7:00 with last adoption taken at 6:15.

11/05/2024

We know that politics have taken the spotlight for this week, but we wanted to take a moment to recognize National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week! 🐶

So many homeless, injured, abandoned, and lost animals cross the threshold of this building every day.

The staff and volunteers work tirelessly to maintain the wellbeing of every animal that comes through our doors, and every day brings new surprises. Happy reunions, that perfect adoption, the cute kittens that were rescued from outside are all things that keep us going every day, but we see a lot of other things too. The neglected, the sick, the animals that we have the honor to hold while we help them cross the rainbow bridge when it is time, these are heavy burdens that the Animal Shelter shoulders for Kent County. Every animal that we encounter and care for leaves a pawprint on our heart. It takes a village, and we could not thank our staff, volunteers, and supporters enough for everything. You are appreciated. 🫶

11/05/2024

Scar and Burlap are putting on their saddest Sarah McLachlan faces today in hopes that you don't forget what is truly important about the day...

That they're available for adoption and would like to join their new furever family. ;)

(Don't forget to go vote today! 🇺🇸 And maybe stop by to adopt a dog after! 🥳 )

11/05/2024

We had a great group of volunteers from the Bissell Corporation yesterday. They helped us catch up on several items from our to-do list including some deep cleaning, organizing and building enrichment items for the animals!

Thank you for volunteering your time with KCAS!

Learn how you can become a KCAS volunteer here: https://www.accesskent.com/Departments/AnimalShelter/volunteer.htm

11/04/2024

Today is damp and chilly, but there's an easy way to warm up! Nothing beats the cozy snuggles of a grateful, happy shelter pup. We open our doors at 1 p.m. today and have some incredible snugglers ready for adoption. Please stop by and meet them; no appointment is necessary. Margo, Wendy, Ace and Scrappy are ready for adoption and waiting for you!!!

You can see all of our adoptable pets here: https://www.accesskent.com/Departments/AnimalShelter/adoptable-animals.htm

10/31/2024

🎃Happy Halloween from Wendy!🎃

We cannot believe that this awesome dog has not been scooped up yet. Wendy is dog friendly (with proper intros), house trained, and loves people of all sizes! She has a burst of excited happy energy when you first meet her but she walks great on a leash and loves attention from all the people.

She would love to go trick or treating with you and the fam tonight! Come get her before you head out! 👽

10/30/2024

🥳 It's Wild Card Wednesday! 🥳

For today only (10/30), all dogs who have been at the shelter for two weeks or longer are just $50! 🤯 We have 32 wonderful dogs to choose from. Our silly girl Goose would love to be taken home today! 🪿

You can see the rest of our available dogs here:
https://accesskent.com/Departments/AnimalShelter/dogs.htm

We are open from 1:00 PM-7:00 PM, with the last adoption taken at 6:15 PM.

10/29/2024

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, we've been busy taking care of our girl Cami❤️

We wanted to be honest about this sweet social girl. She loves people. So much so that she cannot handle living in isolation here at the shelter.

We've sent her on many field trips, and once she's out of this environment, her true personality blooms 😍 Here's what one of our amazing volunteers said: "Cami is snuggly and sweet! She gets the zoomies and self entertains with her squeaky toys. Loves some good tug-of war and is very gentle! When she thinks it's time for some love on the walk, she'll cut you off and wait for you to give some love! VERY easy girl."

She needs out TODAY. ‼️ As of right now, we believe she needs a home with no other pets. If you've been looking for a snuggly, easy-going pup, and have no other pets, Cami is your girl. If you're unable to adopt, PLEASE SHARE! She is in desperate need of rescuing! We open at 1 pm, no appointment needed 🐾