Where to find your new furry friend in Livingston County

Ari Hickman
·3 min read
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LIVINGSTON COUNTY — Spring is a time of new beginnings, and Livingston County makes it easy for that new beginning to be a new pet.

The county’s many rescue organizations promote an “adopt, don’t shop” policy, with relatively affordability and the comfort that comes with providing an animal a loving home.

Always Hope Animal Rescue is a volunteer-run, tax-exempt nonprofit that strives to transfer rescues from high-kill shelters to new homes.
Always Hope Animal Rescue is a volunteer-run, tax-exempt nonprofit that strives to transfer rescues from high-kill shelters to new homes.

Livingston County Animal Shelter

Hosting and caring for over 2,000 animals a year, the Livingston County Animal Shelter is one of the largest centers in the county. The Howell-based organization has both foster and adoption programs. They also manage a database of lost and found animals to help owners reconnect with their pets.

In order to adopt an animal from the Livingston County Animal Shelter, all family members and other dogs must first meet the pet they're considering adopting. Dogs at home must be neutered, sprayed and licensed.

From there, families can fill out adoption applications. Fees range from $80 to $200, depending on the age and type of pet adopted. Their website at tinyurl.com/52rmtdkh offers an updated list of their furry friends looking for a new home.

Phone: 517-546-2154

Website: milivcounty.gov/animal-shelter

Address: 418 S. Highlander Way in Howell

Animal Viewing Hours: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1:30-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday

Always Hope Animal Rescue is a volunteer-run, tax-exempt nonprofit that strives to transfer rescues from high-kill shelters to new homes.
Always Hope Animal Rescue is a volunteer-run, tax-exempt nonprofit that strives to transfer rescues from high-kill shelters to new homes.

Always Hope Animal Rescue

Always Hope Animal Rescue is a registered nonprofit and no-kill organization run by volunteers. They help transfer animals from high-kill shelters to foster homes, where they're later adopted by families. Always Hope isn't based in a single facility, but hosts frequent adoption events at Pet Supplies Plus in Howell.

All animals receive vet examinations and are microchipped ahead of time. In order to adopt, interested parties must first fill out applications and have their homes checked. Always Hope runs on a first-come, first-serve basis. Adoption fees average around $200.

Phone: 810-220-7387

Website: alwayshopeanimalrescue.org/?page_id=12

Mailing Address: PO Box 32 in Howell

Michigan Siamese Rescue

Dogs not your thing? Michigan Siamese Rescue specializes not just in cats, but in Siamese cats. Their website acknowledges that Siamese cats are particularly unsuited for shelter environments, and the organization strives to remove them from those situations and provide loving homes.

Michigan Siamese Rescue doesn't operate out of a specific location. The organization's adoption policies stipulate prospective households must have an individual over the age of 25, and existing pets must be indoor-only, up to date on vaccinations, and either sprayed or neutered, among other things.

They also suggest adopting in pairs when it comes to kittens. Interested parties must fill out an application and become approved before they can adopt. The standard adoption fee is $200.

Website: mi-siamese-rescue.rescuegroups.org

Email: siameserescue@gmail.com

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Starting Over Airedale Rescue

Starting Over Airedale Rescue is an animal rescue organization that focuses on Airedale terriers. They coordinate surrenders and adoptions. SOAR has locations in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, along with several satellite states. It's entirely run by volunteers.

The adoption process requires a physical application, a home inspection, a vet check, and a phone interview before Airedales are placed with new owners. Costs range from $300-$450.

Phone: 517-546-8303

Website: soar-airedale-rescue.com/adopt/#adoption-process

Address: 1721 Peavy Road in Howell

Horses Haven provides adoption, surrender, and sponsorship programs as a part of their rescue services.
Horses Haven provides adoption, surrender, and sponsorship programs as a part of their rescue services.

Horses Haven

Horses Haven is an entirely different type of animal shelter. Founded in 1995, the nonprofit focuses on rescuing, training and providing new homes for horses. They also have ponies, donkeys and mules.

While the organization has standard adoption and surrender processes, they also offer a sponsorship program. Sponsors can pay to cover horses’ medical costs in exchange for personalized photos, notes and merchandise. This way, interested parties can donate and still be involved without having to take on the full burden of caring for a horse.

Phone: 517-548-4880

Website: horseshaven.org

Address: 8257 N. Latson Road in Howell

Hours: By appointment

— Ari Hickman is a sophomore at Brighton High School and a freelancer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@livingstondaily.com.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Where to find your new furry friend in Livingston County