New site to browse pets!

By Steve Neavling – Free Press Writer – April 14, 2008

Responding to pressure from animal lovers, Macomb County created a Web site this week to allow people to browse adoptable dogs and cats in its tax-funded shelter.

The site, at www.macombcountymi.gov/AnimalShelter, is part of an effort to eventually adopt out every healthy dog and cat.

The shelter euthanizes more than 6,000 dogs and cats a year, nearly half of the animals that enter the county’s shelter in Clinton Twp. Before last month, the shelter rarely worked with volunteers or rescue groups to find new homes for dogs. Because of that, healthy cats and dogs, including puppies, were euthanized.

Commissioner Carey Torrice, D-Clinton Twp. successfully lobbied colleagues last month to pass a resolution supporting the goal of sparing every healthy dog and cat. To do that, she urged the shelter to start working more with volunteers and rescue groups. She also wanted the shelter to use the Internet to reach out to people looking for a pet.