OSCEOLA COUNTY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan’s animal shelters have come a long way in the last 15 years. In 2009, the grim reality was that more than 32,000 dogs and nearly 71,000 cats were euthanized statewide. That’s more than 100,000 animals that didn’t get a second chance at life.

Fast forward to the statistics for 2023, and those numbers have plummeted to 6,999 dogs and 4,371 cats who were euthanized at Michigan animal shelters. This big drop reflects years of effort, innovation, and cooperation among shelters, rescue groups, and communities.

The numbers: where we stood in 2023.

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According to data from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), which regulates and oversees the state’s animal shelters, 37,749 dogs and 50,746 cats were adopted out in 2023. The 2024 numbers should be available in the spring of 2025.

However, while adoption rates continue to climb, some shelters still face significant challenges.
The shelter with the highest percentage of dogs euthanized in 2023 according to our Michigan News Source analysis* was Detroit Animal Care and Control (42.9%) in Wayne County. Following close behind were: Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement (42.2%), Calhoun County Animal Center (41.8%), Eaton County Animal Control (40.1%) and the Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter (39.9%).

In sheer numbers, Detroit Animal Care and Control is the most concerning shelter in Michigan. They euthanized 2,061 dogs in 2023 – nearly 30% of all dogs euthanized statewide. They also had the state’s largest intake of dogs at 5,890. Michigan News Source reached out to them for a comment on their numbers and to ask what programs they have in place to reduce their euthanasia numbers, but they didn’t return our request for comment.

For cats, the highest percentage of cats euthanized in 2023 was Osceola County Animal Control who euthanized 68.6% of its cat intake. Other high rates included: Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement (44.8%), Calhoun County Animal Center (29.5%), Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter (25.9%) and the Sterling Heights Police Department in Macomb County (24.5%).

Then and now.

The forms were different in 2009 but in our analysis, comparatively, in 2009, 148 animal shelters reported their numbers to MDARD vs. 205 in 2023 with a list that now includes animal rescue organizations. In 2009, there were 213,904 total intakes of cats and dogs at those shelters vs. 130,270 in 2023. Percentage-wise, the shelters in 2009 euthanized 53.45% of the animals in their care – cats and dogs who could have been put up for adoption. In a straight computation of total intake numbers and euthanasias, the percentage of cats and dogs euthanized in 2023 was only 8.72%.

Balancing safety and resources.

Michelle Kuz, Director of the Osceola County Animal Control, told Michigan News Source about the cats that came into their shelter last year, “In 2023, 332 feline came into our care and 146 were feral – deemed not safe for adoption. First and foremost we are public safety and as such we do not permit animals that have a high bite risk to be adopted to the public. 80 were sick and lack of quarantine area does not permit the ability to segregate and keep from our other healthy feline residents for risk of contamination.”

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She explained, “Keeping sick cats spreads to our healthy adoptable pets causing any exposed that are adopted, to be returned due to illness as adopters are unwilling to seek medical care for a newly adopted pet that they expect to be healthy. Many residents who are feeding feral colonies are also feeding raccoon, skunk and opossums with food which is left out for wildlife to consume which can add to the spread of any sickness.”

In addition, Kuz emphasized that the shelter only euthanizes animals due to temperament, health issues, or at an owner’s request – not because of space limitations. She also highlighted the challenges the shelter faces, including a lack of affordable veterinary care and limited spay/neuter resources in the area. With Kuz as the only full-time Animal Control Officer, minimal part-time staff, and no volunteers permitted in the facility, the shelter is stretched thin, especially since the shelter is open-admission meaning it accepts all animals brought to its care.

Kuz expressed a desire for an organization to step in to help address feral cat colonies in the county by offering spay/neuter services, particularly for elderly residents and low-income families. She noted that rural shelters often operate with limited budgets, resources, and staff, making it difficult to manage the growing cat overpopulation. While well-meaning residents contribute to the issue, shelters are overwhelmed and struggling to keep up with the increasing demands.

Despite the challenges, Kuz added most shelters are doing their very best to adopt out their animals. She said, “Employees that work at these animal control shelters, humane societies and any rescues – do so because they love the animals that come into their care. We ALL wish we could find loving new homes where they could live out their lives in the way they deserve – happy and healthily and with someone to provide them with the quality of life all living beings deserve.”

Why have the euthanasia numbers in Michigan shelters plummeted since 2009?

Michigan’s animal welfare landscape has improved the past 15 years thanks to several factors including:

  • The Rise of No-Kill Shelters: Many shelters have embraced the “no-kill” philosophy, meaning they achieve a 90% or higher placement rate. No-kill shelters only euthanize for severe medical issues, quality of life concerns, or aggression – not for space or convenience.
  • Spay/Neuter Programs: Increased spay/neuter efforts have reduced the number of unwanted litters, curbing overpopulation. Many shelters fix their shelter animals before adoption or require adopters get their animals spayed or neutered soon after adoption.
  • Collaboration and Transfers: Shelters and rescue groups cooperate more than ever, including transferring animals to reduce overcrowding. Networking, animal welfare conferences, and “friends of” support groups have also enhanced resources and communication.
  • Social Media’s Impact: Platforms like Facebook and Instagram have revolutionized animal adoption over the past decade. Shelters share photos of adoptable animals, ask for help when they need it, promote adoption events, and reunite lost pets with their owners more efficiently.

*Michigan News Source calculated euthanasia rates by subtracting owner-requested euthanasias and animals returned to their owners from the total intake numbers, then we used the resulting subtotal to determine the percentage of euthanasias that were carried out.

Part 2 on Thursday, Dec. 19: MNS will dive into the challenges facing Michigan animal shelters and explore how they’re stepping up to meet them.