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Gratiot County Animal Control reports 99.24% live-release rate, cites grants and $28,100 donation
Summary
Jamie Haas, director of Gratiot County Animal Control, told the board that the shelter had a 99.24% live-release rate in 2024 and received multiple grants and an anonymous $28,100 donation to support operations and community clinics.
Jamie Haas, director of Gratiot County Animal Control, told the Gratiot County Board of Commissioners that the shelter achieved a 99.24% live-release rate in 2024 and has expanded services through grant funding and donations.
Haas said the shelter took in 291 dogs and 106 cats in 2024 and described a mix of outcomes: 89 dogs and 36 cats moved through a home-to-home placement program; 55 dogs and eight cats were reclaimed by owners; 23 dogs and 77 cats were adopted; 11 dogs and 20 cats were transferred to MDARD-registered shelters; and two dogs and one cat were euthanized by the shelter for aggression or unrepairable injury. Complaints responded to by animal control totaled 1,139, and the county sold just under 4,000 licenses, she said.
Haas outlined recent funding and partnerships that supported shelter work. The shelter was awarded $5,968 from the Lineac Foundation for protective gear. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) awarded $1,400 for staff training and $7,000 for community vaccination and microchip clinics. The shelter also received an anonymous donation of $28,100, Haas said. A local veterinarian has come to the shelter weekly to provide rabies vaccinations for adopted dogs and clinical support for animals in care.
The director described operational highlights: the shelter held two rabies clinics in 2024 and one so far in 2025, supported 12 spay/neuter clinics for feral cats as part of a TNR program, and logged about 780 volunteer community service hours. Kennel inspections and license renewal mailings were underway, and the office received donated paint and a county-funded new floor.
"If you have any questions, don't ever hesitate to ask," Haas said at the meeting. She added the shelter has improved animal photos and descriptions to help prospective adopters match animals to homes.
Haas said the shelter was caring for 19 dogs at the time of the meeting, including 11 puppies believed to be a lab mix with possible German shepherd coloring. She noted the shelter had shared donated food with county programs to help residents in need.
The board did not take a formal vote on the annual report; the item was presented for information and discussion.
