ABOUT OUR SHELTER

 

THE MISSION OF INGHAM COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL AND SHELTER IS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, PROVIDE COMPASSIONATE TREATMENT AND CARE, AND STRIVE FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME FOR ALL.


WHAT DOES ICACS DO?

Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter is the primary agency responsible for investigating and enforcing animal welfare laws in Ingham County. In addition to this, we provide sheltering and adoption services for stray animals and community outreach programs which are focused on keeping pets healthy and happy in their homes.

We have a trained and dedicated team of professionals that work every day to protect the citizens and animals of Ingham County. Our shelter provides care for approximately 3,500 animals that enter our shelter every year.

ANIMAL CARE

We have seven full-time Animal Care Specialists that provide care and support to every animal that is brought to our shelter. The Animal Care Specialists work 365 days a year providing food, exercise, enrichment to all of our animals.

In addition to our Animal Care Specialists, we have two full-time Veterinarians and two Veterinarian Assistants that provide medical care to every animal in need. 

We also have a highly-trained animal behaviorist that focuses on providing enrichment programs for all shelter animals, animal handling training for the community and conducts behavior evaluations on each potential adoptable.

ANIMAL WELFARE AND ENFORCEMENT

The Ingham County Animal Control Enforcement Division has six full-time Animal Control Officers that are sworn to enforce the animal welfare laws of the State of Michigan and Ingham County.

Our officers respond to emergency calls for assistance involving animals in Ingham County.
These calls involve animals threatening public safety, injured animals along with investigating animal welfare and neglect complaints, vicious dog calls, and animal bites to citizens.

Our officers also serve as educators in the community on topics of responsible pet ownership through various department programs in an effort to promote humane and responsible care of domestic animals.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Under the direction of our Community Outreach Manager, ICACS provides several community outreach programs which are focused on enhancing animal welfare and ensuring pets stay happy and healthy within their homes.  These programs include low-cost vaccine clinics, pet food bank, low cost pet supplies and low-cost spay and neuter services.

In 2023, ICACS has begun offering community cat programs including trap, neuter and release (TNR), return to field, and programs designed to educate the community about our community cats. 

Our Outreach and Support team consists of five full-time clerks, an Office Coordinator focused on providing service to all of our customers at the shelter and throughout Ingham County. They work every day to reunite lost pets with their owners and adopt out all of our animals into loving homes.

Our Volunteer Coordinators support our network of dedicated volunteers that help us every day in the shelter and at special events.  Our Foster Coordinators work to help place all of our lost and unwanted animals into temporary homes and keep them out of the shelter.

ADMINISTRATION

The shelter administration team is made up of Director Holly Guild, Deputy Director Dan Verhougstraete, Dr. Rebecca LaDronka, DVM,  Dr. Diamond Garrett, DVM, and Outreach Manager Hannah Page.