Macomb County Animal Shelter, Adoption & Pets 2026
Macomb County Animal Control is the county shelter and animal-control agency at 21417 Dunham Road, Clinton Township, MI 48036. Families use it to adopt dogs and cats, search for missing pets, report animal cruelty or bites, license dogs, ask about found strays, request surrender help, foster and volunteer.
Regular shelter hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.. The county’s adoption page also advertises Saturday adoption events from 10 a.m.–3 p.m., but the regular shelter-hours page says Saturday is closed. Treat Saturday as special event access only and check the current event calendar before driving.
Verified September 23, 2026
Address, phone, shelter/adoption hours, fee ranges, Animal Control service, licensing prices, lost-pet rules, surrender process, bite/rabies reporting and dispatch information were re-checked against current official Macomb County pages.
County rules are not identical everywhere
Eastpointe, Mount Clemens, Sterling Heights and Warren use their own local routes for several services including stray-animal handling and dog licensing.
Independent guide
Animal-Shelter.org is not Macomb County government, Macomb County Animal Control, the Sheriff’s Office, Health Department or an emergency service.
Macomb County Animal Shelter Adoption Hours & Fees 2026
The most important timing detail is that normal shelter hours and Saturday adoption events are not the same thing. Regular public shelter access is weekdays; Saturday access is tied to scheduled adoption events.
| Visit type | Current published timing | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Regular shelter / walk-in adoption |
Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. |
This is the county’s normal public shelter window. |
| Animal Control phone availability |
Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. |
Phone coverage starts earlier and ends later than public shelter hours. |
| Saturday adoption event |
Scheduled events 10 a.m.–3 p.m. |
The regular shelter-hours page says Saturday is closed. Check the county event listing before planning a Saturday trip. |
| Sunday | Closed | Do not expect normal public shelter service. |
Typical Adoption Fee Range
| Pet | Typical current range | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs & puppies | $50–$500 | Exact fee depends on breed, age and size. Check the individual pet profile. |
| Cats & kittens | $25–$150 | Exact fee is shown with the individual pet. |
| Sponsored adoption events | May be free / reduced | Event pricing does not mean every animal is always free. |
How to Adopt From Macomb County Animal Control
Search adoptable pets first
Current adoptable animals appear through the county’s adoption page and linked Petfinder / Adopt a Pet listings. Save the pet name or ID before visiting.
Apply online if you want to save time
Macomb County provides an online adoption application. You can also use walk-in adoption during the published adoption window.
Bring valid identification
Adopters must be at least 18 and provide a driver’s license or state ID.
Make sure the household agrees
The county requires all adults in the home to agree to the adoption and recommends that children participate in the meet-and-greet.
Plan resident-pet introductions
For dog adoption, the county recommends bringing current dog(s) for a dog-to-dog meet-and-greet in the shelter’s controlled environment.
Confirm current pets meet health requirements
Existing dogs and cats generally must be spayed or neutered unless there is a medical reason they cannot be. The adoption FAQ also lists vaccination/testing expectations for pets already in the home.
What the Macomb County Adoption Fee Includes
Vaccinations
The county lists DHLPP, Bordetella and rabies vaccination among adoption-fee benefits where applicable.
Species-specific testing
Dogs receive heartworm testing/prevention; cats are listed with FeLV/FIV testing.
Spay or neuter
Adoptable pets are spayed or neutered before adoption under the county’s program.
Microchip
A microchip with lifetime registration is listed as included in the adoption fee.
Flea prevention
Flea prevention is also listed among adoption-fee services.
Dog license not included
If the adopted dog requires a Macomb County dog license, that cost is separate from the adoption fee.
Lost or Found a Pet in Macomb County?
Macomb County now uses a more community-based lost-pet process. A microchip scan or temporary safe hold can reunite some pets without the stress of shelter intake.
If your pet is missing
- Check the county’s current stray-animal listings repeatedly.
- Visit during regular business hours if you see a possible match.
- Prepare photos, veterinary records, tags, license or microchip information as proof of ownership.
- Search local lost-pet networks as well as the county listing.
- Do not rely on one phone description; shelter populations change quickly.
If you found a pet
- Safely check tags and arrange a microchip scan if possible.
- Macomb County offers self-service MicroChip Connect stations in several county communities.
- If you can safely hold the pet temporarily, complete the county’s Good Samaritan process for next steps.
- If you cannot locate the owner, confirm which local holding option serves the exact jurisdiction where the pet was found.
- Do not assume Macomb County Animal Control serves every city in the county in the same way.
Macomb County Stray Hold and Reclaim Timing
Michigan hold timing matters because an unclaimed animal can eventually become county property and move toward another outcome. If your pet is missing, check early and keep checking.
| Animal status | County-published minimum hold | Owner action |
|---|---|---|
| No trace of ownership | At least 4 business days | Search county listings and visit with proof of ownership as soon as possible. |
| Ownership information present | At least 7 business days | Confirm the match and bring documentation for reclaim. |
Owner Surrender: Call Before Bringing Your Pet
Giving up a pet can be heartbreaking, and Macomb County treats surrender as a last resort rather than a simple walk-in transaction. Space has to be available.
Submit a surrender request
The county asks owners to complete its Pet Surrender Request after other options have been exhausted.
Acceptance is not guaranteed
Owner-surrendered animals are accepted only when shelter space allows. Completing the form does not guarantee intake.
Bring proof of ownership
Macomb County requires proof of ownership for an owned-animal surrender.
Emergency & Important Macomb County Contacts
Each number below has a different job. Macomb County does not publish one universal after-hours Animal Control emergency number on the current shelter contact page, so this guide does not invent one.
| Contact | Verified number | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Macomb County Animal Control | 586-469-5115 | Shelter help, animal-control calls, domestic-animal rescue, cruelty/neglect, stray/lost pet help, licensing and bite reports. Phone staff are listed Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Emergency — 911 | 911 | Immediate emergencies involving danger to life, safety or property. Do not use 911 for a routine shelter or licensing question. |
| Macomb County Sheriff’s Non-Emergency Dispatch | 586-469-5502 | 24/7 non-emergency law-enforcement dispatch only in the communities served by the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center. It is not a county-wide Animal Control replacement. |
| Macomb County Disease Control | 586-783-8190 | Bat exposure, oddly behaving wildlife and rabies-risk public-health questions. |
| Animal Bite Report Fax | 586-783-0906 | Official animal-bite reporting form. Macomb County Health Department says the form should be sent to Animal Control within 24 hours. |
What Macomb County Animal Control Handles
Shelter & adoption
Adoption, stray sheltering, returning animals to owners and rescue placement are core county services.
Cruelty & neglect investigations
The county lists animal-cruelty and neglect investigations among Animal Control responsibilities.
Animal-bite reports
Animal bite reporting begins with Macomb County Animal Control, with Health Department follow-up on rabies risk.
Domestic-animal rescue
Animal Control provides rescue services for domestic animals.
Dog licensing
Macomb County issues dog licenses for most county residents, subject to specific city exceptions.
Wildlife is limited
The current county contact page says Animal Control generally does not handle wildlife. Sick/injured wildlife calls are accepted when a bite is involved; otherwise residents are directed to DNR or pest-control resources.
Macomb County Service-Area Exceptions
This is one of the most important local details on the page. “Macomb County” in the shelter name does not mean every municipality uses the county for every animal service.
Found stray animal
The county surrender page says stray-animal dispatch through Macomb County Animal Control excludes Eastpointe, Mount Clemens, Sterling Heights and Warren.
Dog license
County dog licensing has the same four-city exception. Residents there should check their city office for licensing.
Animal Bites, Bat Exposure & Rabies
A bite or suspected rabies exposure is not just a shelter matter. It can also require medical care and Health Department follow-up.
Wash the wound and seek medical care
For a bite or possible rabies exposure, take the injury seriously and obtain appropriate medical evaluation.
Report the animal bite to Animal Control
Macomb County Health Department directs all animal-bite reports to Macomb County Animal Control using the county form.
Submit the bite form within 24 hours
The current Health Department page lists 586-783-0906 as the fax for the updated animal-bite form.
Call Health Department for bat / wildlife exposure
The Disease Control program lists 586-783-8190 for communicable-disease questions and instructs residents to call about bat exposure or unusually behaving raccoons, skunks or other wildlife.
Macomb County Dog License Fees 2026
Dogs four months and older must be licensed and have current rabies vaccination documentation. A veterinarian-signed rabies certificate is required.
| License | Spayed / neutered | Unaltered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $10 | $30 |
| 2 years | $18 | $55 |
| 3 years | $25 | $75 |
Rabies certificate required
The certificate must be veterinarian-signed and in the owner’s name.
Online licensing
County residents can submit current rabies and sterilization proof through the county’s online licensing process.
Four cities use local licensing
Eastpointe, Mount Clemens, Sterling Heights and Warren residents should use their local city licensing instructions.
Pet Limits Depend on Your Macomb County Municipality
The county does not publish one pet-count rule for every resident. Each city or township can set its own household limit.
For example, the current county chart lists Clinton Township at four dogs/cats combined, Macomb Township at three dogs/cats combined, and Shelby Township at three dogs/cats combined. Other municipalities differ.
Foster pets can also count toward local limits. If you want to exceed your municipality’s legal pet count, the county says you may need a variance from the city/township.
Macomb County Community Cats & TNR Voucher Program
Outdoor community cats are handled differently from a lost, socialized house cat. Macomb County uses Trap-Neuter-Return as a long-term population management program.
Trap-Neuter-Return
Participating community cats are sterilized, vaccinated, ear-tipped and returned to the territory where they were trapped.
Voucher assistance
Eligible participants may request up to three county TNR vouchers per month after securing the required surgery appointment.
Not available everywhere
The current voucher program excludes Eastpointe, Mount Clemens, Sterling Heights and Warren. Those residents should contact their local Animal Control.
Pet Food Pantry: Help Keeping a Pet at Home
Sometimes a bag of food is the difference between a family keeping a pet and feeling forced to surrender one. Macomb County operates a temporary Pet Food Pantry for eligible residents in its service area.
ID and residency
Applicants need valid identification and must live in the county service area.
Dogs need rabies + license
Dogs receiving pantry assistance must have current rabies vaccination and a current dog license.
Pickup by appointment
Current pantry instructions say curbside pickup is scheduled by appointment Monday–Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Foster or Volunteer With Macomb County Animal Control
Foster homes
Foster families provide temporary homes for animals awaiting permanent placement, medical recovery or enough age/health to enter the adoption program.
Macomb County says it provides foster homes with food and essential supplies and supports foster families through the process.
Adult volunteers
Volunteers must currently be at least 18 years old. Applicants complete a background check and orientation.
Current needs include adoption counselors, dog walkers, feline support, enrichment, greeters, photography and other shelter assistance.
Veterinary Services: What Is Verified and What Is Not
Macomb County Animal Control provides veterinary care to animals in its custody and adoption fees include important medical services. But that does not automatically make the shelter a public veterinary hospital for owned pets.
Shelter-animal veterinary care
County Animal Control describes treatment of medical cases as part of its shelter work, and adoptable animals receive the medical services listed in the adoption package.
No public appointment clinic published
The current Animal Control pages do not publish a routine community veterinary clinic schedule or public examination fee for owned pets at 21417 Dunham Road.
No invented veterinarian name
County staffing materials indicate veterinary staffing exists, but the current public shelter pages do not identify a named public-clinic veterinarian or appointment schedule. This article therefore does not invent doctor details and does not add VeterinaryCare, Hospital or Physician schema.
Map: Macomb County Animal Control
Shelter location: 21417 Dunham Road, Clinton Township, MI 48036. If your trip depends on one specific animal, a Saturday event, surrender availability or reclaim release, call before driving.
Official Macomb County Animal Resources
Use these official county pages for live animal listings, current event dates, applications and final same-day confirmation.
Macomb County Animal Shelter FAQ
Where is Macomb County Animal Control located?
Macomb County Animal Control is at 21417 Dunham Road, Clinton Township, MI 48036.
What is the Macomb County Animal Shelter phone number?
The official Animal Control phone number is 586-469-5115. County staff are listed as available by phone Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What are Macomb County Animal Shelter hours?
Regular public shelter hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The regular shelter-hours page lists Saturday and Sunday as closed.
Is Macomb County Animal Shelter open on Saturday?
Not as a normal regular-hours day. The county adoption page lists scheduled Saturday adoption events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check the current events calendar before visiting on Saturday.
How much does it cost to adopt a dog from Macomb County Animal Control?
The county says dog and puppy fees typically range from $50 to $500 depending on breed, age and size. The exact fee is shown on the individual pet listing.
How much does it cost to adopt a cat?
Cat and kitten adoption fees typically range from $25 to $150. Sponsored adoption events may reduce or cover some fees.
What is included in a Macomb County adoption fee?
The county lists vaccines, species-appropriate testing, spay/neuter surgery, a microchip with lifetime registration and flea prevention. Dog licensing is separate.
What should I do if I find a stray pet?
Safely check for identification or a microchip when possible, follow the county’s Good Samaritan process and confirm the Animal Control jurisdiction where the pet was found. Eastpointe, Mount Clemens, Sterling Heights and Warren use separate local routes for several stray-animal services.
How long does Macomb County hold a stray pet?
The county says a dog with no trace of ownership is held for at least four business days, while pets with ownership information are held for at least seven business days.
Can I surrender my pet to Macomb County Animal Control?
Owner surrender may be possible when shelter space permits, but the county requires a surrender request and proof of ownership. Submitting the request does not guarantee acceptance.
What is the Macomb County after-hours Animal Control emergency number?
The current Animal Control contact page does not publish a separate county-wide after-hours Animal Control number. Call 911 for an immediate life or safety emergency. Routine Animal Control matters should use 586-469-5115 during listed phone hours.
What is the Macomb County Sheriff’s non-emergency dispatch number?
The Sheriff’s Dispatch Center lists 586-469-5502 as its 24/7 non-emergency line for the communities served by that dispatch center. It is not a universal Animal Control number.
How do I report an animal bite in Macomb County?
Macomb County Health Department directs animal-bite reports to Macomb County Animal Control and lists fax 586-783-0906 for the bite form within 24 hours.
Who do I call about bat or possible rabies exposure?
Macomb County Disease Control lists 586-783-8190. The county specifically tells residents to contact Health Department staff about bat exposure or unusually behaving raccoons, skunks or other wildlife.
Does Macomb County Animal Control have a public veterinary clinic?
The current county Animal Control pages describe veterinary care provided to shelter animals, but do not publish a routine public veterinary-clinic schedule, public examination fee or named public-clinic veterinarian at the shelter.
Does Macomb County have a community-cat TNR program?
Yes. Macomb County uses Trap-Neuter-Return and offers qualifying residents a TNR voucher program for outdoor community cats in participating service areas.
Is Animal-Shelter.org the official Macomb County website?
No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational guide. Use MacombGov.org for live county policies, hours, events, fees and official forms.
Animal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper
Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.
Build a USA-wide shelter action plan
Select your situation and location. The tool will create a general action plan, search links, call questions, and a copyable checklist.
Lost pet recovery checklist
Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.
Found pet safety decision helper
Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.
Adoption readiness checker
This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.
Pet reclaim document checklist
If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.
Owner surrender preparation helper
Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.
Animal control contact decision helper
Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.
Adoption and first-month budget planner
This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.
Your generated shelter plan
Your action plan, search links, call script, checklist, or budget guide will appear here.
Start with the Planner tab
Select your state, city/county/ZIP, pet type, and goal. The tool will create a practical USA-wide shelter action plan.
Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.