Adopt a Pet
View Adoptable Pets
Browse current adoptable pets at Livingston County Animal Shelter! Animal information is updated on a regular basis.
Adoption Process
- Make sure to visit the Shelter and spend time with the animal you are considering adopting.
- All family members in the home must meet the pet before adoption.
- If you currently have another dog and are looking to adopt a second dog from the Animal Shelter, you must bring your dog for a meet and greet. All pets in the home must be spayed/neutered and current on vaccines. If you have a dog(s) currently in the home that are not licensed you will be required to license them.
- Once you’re sure that the animal is a good fit for your family and lifestyle, fill out the adoption application.
- You will need to review our adoption guideline document. The Livingston County Animal Shelter reserves the right to deny any adoption at the discretion of the Director, Shelter Supervisor, Animal Control Officer, or Veterinarian.
- Adoption applications may take up to 24 hours to process, but most applications can be processed the same day.
Adoption Fees
Puppies (under 6 months)
Dogs (over 6 months)
Small Dogs (any age)
Kittens (under 4 months)
Second Kitten
Cats (over 4 months)
If a pet is returned to the Shelter, a full refund will be given. For returning an animal, you have three business days for dogs and 10 business days for cats to get a full refund. All refunds will come from the County Treasurer in the form of a check and take up to three-four weeks to reach you.
Offsite Adoptions
Can’t make it to our facility in Howell? No problem! We show our animals at various pet stores. We also participate in a number of adoption events throughout the year. Follow us on Facebook to stay in the loop!
Frequently Asked Questions
I see a pet online that I want to adopt. Can I call and adopt it over the phone?
No, you must come into the shelter to adopt a pet. Always call us first to be sure the pet is still here before coming into the Shelter. We do not hold a pets for adoption. Adoptions are based on the first approved application, not first come first serve.
Any canine family member(s) are required to come for a dog to dog meeting with the potential new canine. We prefer all family members meet the potential new pet to ensure all are comfortable. This may be required depending on the pet.
If I get my new pet home and it doesn't fit in my household, what happens?
We understand that it can take some time to for you and your new pet to adjust, and we give each pet a trial period where you can bring them back for a refund. You have three business days to return a dog, and 10 business days to return a cat for a refund. All refunded fees made by Livingston County will be mailed to you in the form of a refund check. Please be aware that this process can take up to three to four weeks.
As long as the pet that you are returning is healthy and its’ temperament is fine, it will go back up for adoption. Please provide us information about the reason you are returning the animal! We will include this information in its profile and that will help us find a suitable home for the animal in the future.
I adopted a pet from the shelter and now it's sick or injured. What should I do?
While our staff makes every effort to assess and accurately report the health of your new pet, specific symptoms can be especially difficult to detect in a shelter environment, or do not represent at all while an animal is in our care.
Although rare, in some cases (especially with canine respiratory infection, otherwise known as kennel cough), illness can progress rapidly after animals leave the Shelter. If the pet becomes ill in the first five days after adoption, you may call the Shelter for possible assistance. It will be the Veterinarian’s discretion to dispense medication. We cannot reimburse you for any veterinary expenses you may incur post adoption. If you agree to diagnostics or treatment recommended by your Veterinarian, or obtain medication from your Veterinarian, it will be at your own expense.
Once you take a pet home, you’re responsible for their care and medical bills. If you cannot afford treatment, you may return the pet.
What does the Animal Shelter do to prepare pets for adoption?
When you adopt, we provide an animal’s medical history including vaccines, de-worming, heartworm, or feline leukemia /FIV testing. Animals adopted from the Shelter will be microchipped, and if it is a dog, it will have a Michigan dog license.
All pets will be spayed/neutered and have age appropriate medical completed before they become available for adoption.
