No Kill Policy

On January 1, 1999, the Donald Reece Animal Shelter became the first municipal no kill shelter in Michigan. On May 11, 1999, Otsego County made this no kill "policy" an official resolution. The resolution was founded on the basis that Otsego County believed it to be in the best interest of the citizens to enhance the quality of life of dogs, cats and other companion animals. The County desired an effective, humane way of solving the homeless and unwanted pet problem and overpopulation. This resolution was also founded on the belief that ONLY those animals received in a condition of terminal illness or mortal injury that are beyond clinical redemption and/or animals that are deemed aggressive and/or dangerous and cannot be successfully rehabilitated with available resources should be humanely destroyed. Local officials agreed that by aggressively pursuing sterilization of cats and dogs these animals would be more desirable as adoptable pets. In effect, this will decrease the pet overpopulation problem. Keeping these principles in mind, Otsego county adopted the following resolution:

Otsego County supports the concept of adoption of all eligible cats and dogs and other companion animals and of a "No Kill For Adoptables" policy with an emphasis on sterilization in order to most effectively and humanely solve the problem of homeless or unwanted pets and pet overpopulation in Otsego County.
(this information was taken from the Otsego County Resolution NO.1999-31)

For more information on our no-kill of adoptable pets policy, contact the animal shelter at 989-705-7632