Adoption
To adopt at HHS, you must be at least 18 years of age. We welcome all folks, from any county or state.
If you plan on adopting, please bring your driver’s license or other government-issued ID with proof of address.
Adoptions at HHS are not first come, first served. We try to find the best match for each animal and take several factors into consideration. Just because you applied for an animal and weren’t selected doesn’t mean that you won’t be selected to adopt another animal you are interested in.
We are open to the public Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, no appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are welcome!
We do not put animals “on hold” for potential adopters. Sometimes people intend to adopt, say they’ll be back the next day, and never return. Unnecessarily holding a shelter animal in limbo while people make up their minds is cruel.
We allow animals to be pre-adopted who are not ready to go home because of age or health status. We will care for the animal until it is ready to go home with you. Pre-adopting means you fill out and sign the approved adoption paperwork and pay for the adoption.
You are getting far more than just a new best friend when you adopt from HHS! If an animal is not yet altered, you will receive:
- A voucher for a complimentary spay/neuter surgery
- Initial dewormer
- Feline Leukemia test (kittens and cats)
- Heartworm test (adult dogs)
- Temperament tested (adult dogs)
- A complimentary vet exam at any of the three Alpena-area participating veterinary clinic.
- Adoption fees not only cover the above services, but also offset the cost of caring for the animals before being adopted. Thank you for your adoption fee!
Adoption Fees
| Cat Adoption Fees | |
|---|---|
| Kittens (0 to 6 months) | $140 |
| Cats (6 months to 8 years) | $110 |
| Senior Cats (8 years +) | $75 |
| Dog Adoption Fees | |
|---|---|
| Puppies (0 to 1 year) | $300 |
| Dogs (1 to 8 years) | $175 |
| Senior Dogs (8 years +) | $100 |
| Other Fees and Services | |
|---|---|
| Owner Surrenders | $25 |
| Owner Fee | $25 a day |
| Strays | Donation |
| Rabies Vaccination | $25 |
| Microchips | $25 |
| Cat Adoption Box | $8 |
Our cats and dogs are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Adoption fees not only cover those services, but also offset the cost of caring for the animals prior to being adopted. Thank you for your adoption fee!
Animal Lost and Found
Despite how careful you are, sometimes a furry friend wanders off. HHS is always eager to help reunite owners with their animals. If you have lost (or found) an animal, please post in our dedicated Facebook group by clicking here.
If you find a dog running at large, please contain it if you’re able to safely do so. Contact the Alpena County Sherrif Animal Control Center at 989-884-2248 and take direction from them.
Michigan law states that you must notify your local animal control agency when you find a dog roaming at large. Alpena County’s animal control ordinance states that stray dogs may go to an animal shelter contracted with the county for animal control. The sheriff’s office has interpreted that ordinance as meaning that stray dogs must go to the animal control shelter at the fairgrounds. HHS has been told in writing that we risk being issued a ticket if we accept any stray dogs at our shelter. Until the ordinance is amended to state that dogs may be taken to any licensed animal shelter or veterinary clinic, HHS cannot risk the threatened ticket if stray dogs are accepted at the shelter.
There are no local laws preventing cats from roaming free. Not all roaming cats are domesticated; some cats are feral. If you find a domesticated cat (one that is friendly and seeks out humans), the first thing to do is to take a picture, if possible, and post it in HHS’s lost and found pets Facebook group. Next, call us to see if we can take in the cat at the shelter.
We can only take in as many animals as we have kennels. In addition, we must have adequate staffing levels to take care of the animals. HHS is a private nonprofit that is funded almost entirely by donations. We take in as many animals as we’re able. We wish we had unlimited space and unlimited funding for staff, but we don’t. We get animals who are on our waiting list into the shelter as quickly as we can.
