Resources for Stray Animals in Ann Arbor, MI

Throughout the year, people often drop by our animal hospital with stray animals. However, while we are empathetic about the plight of strays, our facility is not set up to be a shelter.

Many well-meaning Good Samaritans bring stray animals to us with the hope of handing them off to a safe place until they can be reunited with their families. However, because we are an animal hospital, we have to follow a strict protocol when it comes to unknown animals. We can’t run the risk of exposing our patients to potential contagions. We are also unable to ascertain whether a stray animal has been vaccinated or presents a behavioral risk to our staff, so as a rule, we cannot accept healthy strays.

Resources For Stray Pets In Ann Arbor Mi

What to Do If You Find a Stray Animal

Here is what we recommend doing if you come across a stray animal:

  • Check the animal’s tags and attempt to get in touch with the owner.
  • Contact the State Police Post, County Sheriff, City Police, Animal Control, and Humane Society closest to where the animal was found and see if there is a missing pet report.
  • We will have you complete our Lost Pet/Stray form that is posted in the hospital in case we get calls. Also, this form will help you be prepared with pertinent information when you contact the local Police Department, for example, about where the stray was found, etc.

This is what a veterinarian can do:

  • Check the animal for a microchip.
  • If the animal is injured, the animal hospital will stabilize the stray and call the local Humane Society.
Golden Retriever Sitting

Stray Animal Resources
in Ann Arbor

Stray Animal Resources in Ann Arbor

Additional Recommendations

  • Consider microchipping your pet. Only 5% of stray cats are ever reunited with their families in Washtenaw County!
  • Keep tags up-to-date.
  • Make sure your yard is secure and that your pet can’t get out.
  • Bookmark this Pet Lost & Found page from the Humane Society. It also lists the boarding fees and fines if your pet is lost.
  • For other types of animals, the Humane Society also provides this Cruelty and Rescue page.
Cat Sitting On Concrete Outside