Last Wednesday, October 4th, Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center celebrated their Grand Opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Animal lovers, Oakland County employees, volunteers, architects, construction managers, and local news media were in attendance for the special event. 5th grade students from Bailey Lake Elementary School in Clarkston, who’ve been regular volunteers at the shelter, shared the honor of cutting the ribbon with Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.
The County Executive, along with Public Services Director Mark Newman welcomed the large crowd and shared some of the history of the Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center in Oakland County which has been aiding animals by providing shelter and care while trying to find them new, loving homes since 1980.
After opening remarks were made, attendees toured the beautiful facility and enjoyed cider, donuts, hot dogs, and pet swag bags. Take a look at what they saw in our video.
Then new shelter is located on the Oakland County Government campus in Pontiac at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, County Center Drive, Building 42E. The location is centrally located within the county, making it more convenient for residents. Through the Fitness Unleashed program, thousands of county employees are now able to visit the shelter on lunch breaks to volunteer by visiting with cats and walking dogs.
At the new location, cats and dogs will live in separate areas. This will reduce stress levels for the animals by keeping the cat area much quieter and more relaxed. The shelter has a special area for cats called “Kitty City” where volunteers can spend time with cats, allowing them more space to roam around and play. Volunteers can even read to cats at “Kitty City” through the Read to a Furry Friend program.
Shelter dogs now have access to a sprawling dog park and agility equipment. Dog kennels are considerably larger than at the previous shelter. Dogs can now go back and forth to see out on both sides of the kennel which allows for improved interaction with staff and much happier dogs.
The 35,400-square-foot building is divided into different areas for “Lost & Found” Animals, Pet Adoptions, and a Community Room that can be used for special events. Kiosks in the lobby will allow visitors to purchase dog licenses online. Medical facilities were updated to include a lab, treatment rooms, and an in-house X-ray machine to expedite care and save on treatment costs. A robust air circulation system will ensure a healthy environment for animals, staff, and visitors with up to 15 air exchanges per hour.
It truly was a great day for the shelter animals and staff at the new Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center.
If you’d like to check it out and are looking to adopt a pet, Bissell Pet Foundation’s Empty the Shelters event will be happening this Saturday, October 14th. Bissell will pay the adoption fees for qualified adopters.
For more information about the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center, visit their website and follow along with them on Facebook and Twitter. Are you interested in volunteering? Please fill out a Volunteer Application.
Want to know more about Oakland County news or events? Visit our website, and follow along with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Join the conversation using #OaklandCounty.