Oakland County Animal Shelter, Adoption & Pets 2026

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Verified Oakland County Shelter Guide

Oakland County Animal Shelter Guide: Adoption, Lost Pets, Fees, Animal Control, Video & Map

The Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center serves Oakland County pet owners, adopters, and residents who need adoption help, lost-pet recovery, found-pet reporting, dog licensing guidance, animal control contact details, volunteer information, or a safe route for urgent animal concerns.

Official Shelter Page Call Pet Adoption Center View Map
Official address 1200 North Telegraph Road, Building 42E, Pontiac, MI 48341
Pet Adoption Center 248-858-1070
Animal Control 248-858-1090

Quick Answer: What is the Oakland County Animal Shelter?

The Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center is the county shelter and pet adoption center located in Pontiac, Michigan. Use it for adoptable pets, lost and found animal guidance, dog licensing questions, volunteer information, and animal control contact routes. The Pet Adoption Center phone is 248-858-1070, and the Animal Control phone is 248-858-1090.

Best first step: if you want to adopt, check the official Oakland County pet adoption page first. If you lost a pet, do not wait for a website update — call, visit, check found-pet listings, and report through Petco Love Lost as soon as possible.

Choose what you need today

Oakland County animal shelter searches usually come from people who need one specific task solved quickly. Pick the closest option below.

Adopt a pet Steps, fees, license note, and what to ask. Lost my pet 4–7 day stray hold, in-person check, and Petco Love Lost. Found a pet Safe handling, reports, and owner-reunion steps. Adoption fees Dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and dog license fees. Animal control Animal Control phone, hours, and after-hours route. Watch video Adoption-prep video before choosing a shelter dog. Volunteer or donate Volunteer application route and contact info. Map and visit plan Building 42E, busiest hours, and arrival tips.

Verified Oakland County Animal Shelter facts

Official nameOakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center
Address1200 North Telegraph Road, Building 42E, Pontiac, MI 48341
Pet Adoption Center phone248-858-1070
Animal Control phone248-858-1090
Emailpetadoption@oakgov.com
Official websiteoakgov.com/community/pet-adoption
Hours note for 2026: the official page currently lists Pet Adoption Center hours as Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 AM–5 PM; Tuesday and Thursday 10 AM–7 PM; and Saturday 10 AM–4 PM. It also posts a future notice that beginning Monday, July 13, 2026, shelter hours will change to Tuesday 10 AM–7 PM, Wednesday 10 AM–5 PM, Thursday 10 AM–7 PM, Friday 10 AM–5 PM, Saturday 10 AM–4 PM, and closed Sunday/Monday. Always check the official page before driving.

Video Guide: What to know before adopting a shelter dog in Oakland County

This video is included because many visitors searching for “Oakland County Animal Shelter” want practical adoption guidance before they choose a dog. The video features Joanie Toole discussing what to know before adopting a shelter dog, which fits the user intent better than a random animal video.

How to use the video: watch it for adoption mindset and shelter-dog preparation, then use the official Oakland County pet adoption page for current animals, current fees, required licensing, and visit details.

Oakland County Animal Shelter adoption process

Adopting from a county shelter is not only about finding a cute pet. You also need to understand fees, licensing, spay/neuter timing, vaccine status, and whether the pet is ready to leave the same day. Oakland County lists separate fee categories for kittens, puppies, adult cats, and adult dogs.

Start on the official Oakland County pet adoption page.
Use the county’s official page first, then verify any animal you saw on Petfinder, Petco Love, social media, or another listing.
Call if the pet is urgent or popular.
Pet availability can change quickly. If you are driving from another city in Oakland County, call 248-858-1070 before going.
Ask whether the pet is already spayed or neutered.
Some animals may need sterilization before they can leave. Ask what timing applies to the specific pet.
For dogs over 4 months, plan for dog licensing.
Oakland County notes that every dog over 4 months of age being adopted must leave with an Oakland County Dog License. Check your own municipality within 30 days for local compliance.
Prepare your home before pickup.
Have food, bowls, ID tag, leash, carrier, crate or safe room, bedding, and a quiet adjustment area ready before the pet arrives.
Ask the “first week” questions.
Ask about appetite, fear triggers, leash behavior, litter habits, medical notes, vaccine records, and whether a follow-up vet visit is recommended.
Official Pet Adoption Page Adoption Fees Page

Oakland County Animal Shelter adoption fees

The official Oakland County fee pages list detailed adoption costs by animal type. Fees can change, and specials may apply, so use this as a planning guide and confirm directly before adoption day.

Animal type Official listed total What the fee includes or what to ask
Kittens under 4 months $57.50 total Official line items include waived adoption/vaccination amounts, sterilization fee, and cat registration. Ask if the kitten is ready to leave.
Puppies under 4 months $114 total Official line items include adoption fee, vaccinations, and sterilization fee. Ask about future vaccines and training needs.
Cats 4 months and over $57.50 total Official line items include waived adoption/vaccination amounts, sterilization fee, and cat registration. Ask about temperament and adjustment.
Dogs 4 months and over $144 total Official line items include license fee, adoption fee, vaccinations, and sterilization fee. Ask whether your city honors the county license.
Dog license reminder: Oakland County notes that adopted dogs over 4 months leave with an Oakland County Dog License, but some cities, townships, and counties may not honor that tag. Check with your local municipality within 30 days.

Before you visit: what to bring and ask

Bring ID and contact detailsBring a valid photo ID, current address, phone number, and email.
Renters should prepare proofKnow your landlord’s pet rules, breed limits, weight limits, pet deposit, and written permission requirements.
For dog adoptionAsk about dog licensing, leash manners, energy level, dog-to-dog behavior, and whether a meet-and-greet is recommended.
For cat adoptionBring a secure carrier or ask what the shelter requires. Never carry a cat loose to the car.
For familiesBring the decision-makers if possible and ask whether the pet has known history around children.
Timing tipThe official page says the shelter is busiest between 12 PM and 2 PM. If possible, plan around peak traffic.

Lost dog or cat in Oakland County: what to do now

Oakland County says strays are held for four to seven days under Michigan law to help owners find and claim them. After that period, the animal may become the property of the shelter and may become available for adoption. That means lost-pet action should start the same day.

Call and check in person.
Call 248-858-1070 and ask about recently found pets. Oakland County strongly encourages owners to visit the shelter in person when an animal is missing.
Use Oakland County found-pet pages.
The county posts stray cats and dogs currently at the shelter online and says the listings are updated 5 days a week.
Report through Petco Love Lost.
Oakland County partners with Petco Love Lost for missing and found pet reporting. Add clear photos and location details.
Check Pawboost and neighborhood routes.
Oakland County also references Pawboost for stray animals. Post nearby, but do not rely on social media only.
Update microchip information.
Use the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup and contact your registry such as 24PetWatch, HomeAgain, or AKC Reunite.
Bring proof of ownership.
Bring photos, vet records, license records, adoption paperwork, microchip documents, or other proof if you believe your pet is at the shelter.
Do not wait. A four-to-seven-day hold can pass quickly. If your pet is missing, call, visit, search online, check microchip data, and repeat the search daily.
Dogs Found Page AAHA Microchip Lookup

Found a pet in Oakland County: safe next steps

If you found a dog or cat, the best goal is owner reunion, not immediate rehoming. A clean, friendly pet may still be lost. A frightened, dirty pet may have been missing only a short time. Use official reporting routes and avoid giving the animal to someone who cannot prove ownership.

Scan for a chipA shelter or veterinary clinic may be able to scan for a microchip.
Report found petUse Petco Love Lost and local found-pet routes so the owner has a chance to identify the pet.
Do not give away too fastRequire proof such as photos, vet records, license information, or microchip confirmation.
Use safe handlingIf the animal is aggressive, sick, injured, or in traffic danger, contact the proper authority instead of risking injury.
Found-pet call script: “Hi, I found a dog/cat near [street or intersection] in Oakland County. The animal is [description]. I can send photos. What is the correct reporting or intake step?”

Oakland County Animal Control phone, hours and reporting route

Animal control questions are different from adoption questions. Oakland County lists Animal Control at 248-858-1090, with hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The official contact page says that after 4:30 PM or on weekends, reports should go through local law enforcement.

Pet Adoption Center248-858-1070
Adoption, lost/found pet and shelter questions.
Animal Control248-858-1090
Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM.
After hours/weekendsContact local law enforcement for reports after 4:30 PM or on weekends.
Emergency routing: call 911 for life-threatening situations, active attacks, serious bites, or cruelty in progress. For suspected pet poisoning, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435; a fee may apply.

Rehoming or surrendering a pet in Oakland County

Oakland County’s general information page explains that shelters receive strays and abused animals every day, so limiting owned animals that need rehoming can help control shelter population. The county says the shelter can provide resources to help pet owners keep a beloved pet or find routes to potential adopters.

Before callingWrite down your pet’s age, species, breed, spay/neuter status, vaccines, medical conditions, behavior history, and reason for rehoming.
Ask about resourcesAsk whether food help, behavior support, veterinary resources, or rehoming tools might keep the pet safely with family.
Be honestBite history, severe fear, illness, or behavior concerns should be disclosed. It helps the shelter make safer decisions.
Do not abandon petsNever leave an animal outside a shelter, park, business, or roadside. Call and ask for the proper next step.

Volunteer, donate or support the Oakland County Animal Shelter

Oakland County lists a volunteer process for people who want to help shelter animals. The official volunteer page says applicants should review the positions listed on the volunteer application and notes that some positions are scheduled. Applications can be turned in at the facility or emailed to the volunteer address.

Volunteer emailpetvolunteer@oakgov.com
Volunteer phone248-858-1847
Before applyingReview role fit, availability, physical requirements, age rules, and orientation expectations.
Other ways to helpUse official donate, wish list, fostering, rescue, and outreach links rather than dropping off unapproved items.
Official Volunteer Page Official Shelter Homepage

Call scripts for Oakland County Animal Shelter

Use a clear script so staff can route your question quickly.

Adoption script: “Hi, I’m interested in adopting a [dog/cat/puppy/kitten]. I saw the pet on the official Oakland County page. Can you tell me whether the pet is still available, what fees apply, and whether the pet is ready to leave?”

Lost pet script: “Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [street/city]. The pet is [description] and may have [microchip/collar]. Can I check whether a matching pet has arrived, and should I visit in person today?”

Animal control script: “Hi, I need to report a non-emergency animal concern in Oakland County. The issue is [brief description], located at [city/address area]. Is this the correct number, or should I contact local law enforcement?”

Oakland County Animal Shelter map and visit planning

The shelter is located at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Building 42E, Pontiac, MI 48341. Before driving, confirm current hours, check the official page for the July 2026 hours update, and bring any documents you may need for adoption, reclaim, licensing, or volunteer questions.

Arrival tip: the official page says the shelter is busiest between 12 PM and 2 PM. If you have a lost-pet or time-sensitive adoption question, call ahead and avoid arriving unprepared near closing time.

Official Oakland County Animal Shelter links

Main shelter pageOakland County Pet Adoption
Contact pageOfficial Contact Us page
Adoption feesAdoptions and fees
Dog licenseDog license page
Dogs foundDogs found listing
VolunteerVolunteer page

Common mistakes to avoid

Using Oakland CA informationThis page is for Oakland County, Michigan, not Oakland Animal Services in California.
Waiting on a lost petBecause strays are held four to seven days, lost-pet action should start immediately.
Forgetting dog license rulesDogs over 4 months adopted from the shelter leave with an Oakland County Dog License, but local compliance may still need checking.
Arriving during the busiest windowThe official page says 12 PM to 2 PM is busiest. Call ahead when the issue is urgent.
Calling adoption for enforcement emergenciesAnimal Control and emergency routes are separate from routine adoption questions.
Trusting old feesAlways confirm current adoption fees and specials on the official Oakland County page.

Oakland County Animal Shelter FAQs

The Pet Adoption Center phone number is 248-858-1070. Oakland County Animal Control is listed at 248-858-1090.

The shelter is located at 1200 North Telegraph Road, Building 42E, Pontiac, MI 48341.

The official page lists current Pet Adoption Center hours as Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 AM–5 PM; Tuesday and Thursday 10 AM–7 PM; and Saturday 10 AM–4 PM. It also posts a July 13, 2026 schedule change, so confirm before visiting.

The official fee page lists dogs 4 months and over at a total of $144, including license fee, adoption fee, vaccinations, and sterilization fee. Confirm current fees and specials before adoption.

The official fee page lists cats 4 months and over at a total of $57.50, including cat registration and sterilization-related charges. Confirm current fees before visiting.

Call the shelter, visit in person, check county found-pet pages, report through Petco Love Lost, update your microchip information, and search daily.

Oakland County says strays are held for four to seven days under Michigan law to help owners find and claim them.

Oakland County Animal Control is listed at 248-858-1090, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. After 4:30 PM or on weekends, the county says to contact local law enforcement.

Yes. Oakland County has a volunteer page and lists petvolunteer@oakgov.com and 248-858-1847 for volunteer coordinator contact.

No. Animal-Shelter.org is an independent directory guide. The official shelter website is on oakgov.com.

Emergency routing and independent-site disclaimer

Life-threatening or in-progress cruelty: call 911. Pet poisoning: call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435; a fee may apply. Crisis for the handler or owner: call or text 988. For urgent wildlife or emergency animal help, use a qualified emergency veterinarian, municipal authority, local law enforcement, or Animal Help Now where appropriate.

Animal-Shelter.org is an independent animal shelter and animal control directory. We are not Oakland County Animal Shelter, not animal control, not an emergency dispatcher, not a shelter, not a humane society, not an SPCA, not a veterinarian, not a wildlife rehabilitator, not a microchip registry, not a pet poison hotline, not police, and not an attorney. Always confirm current hours, fees, policies, animal availability, and emergency instructions with the official organization.

Final summary

For Oakland County Animal Shelter, use the official county website first, call 248-858-1070 for Pet Adoption Center questions, call 248-858-1090 for Animal Control during listed business hours, and act quickly if your pet is missing because stray holds are time-limited.

USA-wide shelter helper • adoption, lost pets, found pets, surrender and animal control

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.

Lost Pet PlanSearch, microchip, shelter checks, flyers
Found Pet HelpSafety, scanning, reporting, holding
Adoption PlannerReadiness, questions, supplies, budget
Visit ChecklistDocuments, call script, official links

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.

Important: Shelter rules vary by city, county, agency, and animal type. Always confirm hours, intake rules, fees, appointment requirements, and proof-of-ownership rules with the official shelter or animal control agency before visiting.

Lost pet recovery checklist

Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.

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Found pet safety decision helper

Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.

Safety first: Do not approach an aggressive, injured, trapped, or traffic-endangered animal if doing so could put you or others at risk. Contact animal control, emergency services, or a qualified professional when needed.

Adoption readiness checker

This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.

0% readiness signals checked

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.

Helpful reminder: Ask the shelter about pet food pantries, low-cost vet care, behavior support, temporary foster options, and safe rehoming resources before making a final decision.

Animal control contact decision helper

Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.

Emergency warning: If there is immediate danger to a person, a serious bite, traffic hazard, or active attack, contact local emergency services or animal control according to local rules.

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.

USA-wide Shelter user intent Official-source focused

Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.

Independent shelter-help tool. Not affiliated with any animal shelter, humane society, rescue, animal control agency, city, county, state agency, veterinarian, or microchip company. Always confirm current rules, hours, fees, and requirements directly with the official organization.