Adoption Services

Our adoption program is the area we invest the most time and resources. Adoption counselors work to place the animals in new homes where they will receive responsible, permanent care and love. Our counselors are trained in HSLC policies and procedures, breed characteristics, evaluating the personality of shelter animals, animal behavior and health issues, and working effectively with the public. Last year, the HSLC helped over 1000 animals to find loving homes. If you are able to provide a permanent, loving home for a kitten, puppy, cat, or dog, we invite you to visit our shelter and Learn more about adopting an HSLC Pet>>

Animal Care

The Humane Society of Livingston County ensures that all animals in its care receive appropriate medical attention, including vaccines, spay/neuter services and other medical treatment, depending on each animal's needs. Over the years, HSLC staff and volunteers have cared for thousands of animals. The ultimate goal for any HSLC animal is its adoption into a loving home. Great care is taken to ensure that all pets are placed into appropriate environments.

HSLC's goal is to hold as many pets for as long as possible. It is the current policy of the HSLC not to euthanize animals in response to the tragic problem of companion animal overpopulation. We, therefore, limit the number of animals we accept based on the space and resources available to properly care for the numbers of animals we would otherwise receive. HSLC euthanizes in the case of severe temperament or health issues.

All animals are spayed and neutered before leaving the shelter. Our staff veterinarian performs these operations. Kittens are sterilized upon reaching two pounds in weight, and adoptive owners must wait until this procedure is complete before taking the kittens from the shelter. Each animal that is brought to us receives a health exam. This exam ensures that every animal adopted from the HSLC is spayed or neutered and receives age-appropriate vaccinations. Learn more about Vaccine & Microchip Clinics>>

Lost & Found Support

Perhaps HSLC's most notable program is its Lost and Found Service. Anyone who has lost a pet can call HSLC's 24-hour voicemail and leave a message regarding the lost pet. Similarly, found animals can be reported in the same way. A staff member checks the messages regularly and tries to find a match in an effort to reunite lost pets with their families . This lost and found pet information is recorded in a database as reference for future matches. HSLC receives about 2,700 calls a year to assist with a lost or found pet and advises owners on other steps they can take to find a missing pet. Learn more about Lost and Found>>

Community Outreach & Humane Education

At the HSLC we continually aim to reach beyond the walls of our shelter in the process of striving to educate the public on issues affecting our companion pets, especially the importance of spaying and neutering the animals of our community. We believe education is an excellent way to help eliminate animal over-population, abuse, and neglect. HSLC staff and volunteers provide educational sessions and shelter tours to school children, scout troops, and other youth groups plus reach out to the adult public through community organizations, the media, public service announcements, press releases, and fund raising events. We also use our application for adoption as a means of educating potential pet owners about responsible pet ownership. Our lost and found program also increases involvement within our surrounding communities and allows us to be a trusted resource in helping to find a lost pet. Contact us to learn more about how you can become an HSLC Community Partner>>

Volunteer Programs

Volunteers help us in all dimensions at the HSLC including animal care, socialization, cleaning, planning and running events, posting animals available for adoption on Petfinder, creating our website, veterinary technician skills, systems administration, graphic design, and providing foster homes. We invite and recruit adult, junior (14-17 years old), and family volunteers (families with children between the ages of 8-13) to participate. Involving children in our programs is especially important because it is at this age that philanthropic involvement can extend into adulthood. We have a diverse group of volunteers including retirees, youth groups, disabled individuals, and court appointed community service workers. Learn more about Volunteer Opportunities at HSLC>>

Last Updated 7/19/10