Max ( right ) and Patsy have been together for seven years.

Meet Patsy & Max. Like many cats and dogs that come into the Allegan Shelter, their previous owners were forced to move from their home and could not take their pets with them.

Patsy and Max are 7 years old and have been together since they were puppies.  Their family loved them dearly, took great care of them, and taught them well.  They placed them in our hands and left in tears begging us that we place them together.  They did not believe Patsy and Max would thrive without each other.

We made history this month by performing the first ever spay-neuter surgeries at the Allegan County Animal Shelter.

Dr. Applegate and Josh Mohler prep a cat for suregery.

Over the past year we have accumulated equipment for our surgery room through generous donations from the Humane Society of Huron Valley, and a $10,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture Companion Animal Welfare Fund.  The final piece of the puzzle was put in place with an working agreement with Dr. Lisa Applegate of Lawton MI.   Each Monday Dr. Applegate performs clinical rounds of our resident animals then performs spay or neuter surgeries.

The first “shake down” surgeries were completed Monday, June 4 when two male cats were neutered and two female cats were spayed. That was stepped up on Monday June 11 when three female cats were spayed and seven male cats neutered.  Beginning

Dr. Applegate prepares to spay our first cat.

Monday June 18, we will begin spay-neuter for dogs.

Our goal is spay and neuter all adoptable cats and dogs prior to leaving the shelter.  Historically adopters  were required to sign a Spay-Neuter Contract and prepay for the procedure with a veterinarian of their choice.  It was a cumbersome process and hindered adoptions, it was also difficult and time consuming to confirm the surgery was actually performed.  Prepaying a $130 neuter surgery was small potatoes to someone intent on breeding their dog for a profit.  By altering the cat or dog prior to leaving the shelter, we are ensuring that pet will never reproduce and add to the county’s over population problem.

The service provides tremendous value to the adopter.  We expect the new adoption fees will be $130 for dogs and $95 for cats. That includes all vaccinations, deworming, flea treatment, rabies vaccination, a microchip,  license, and spay or neuter. The value of those services if done separately would be well in excess of $200.

Step by step we’re making a difference at the Allegan County Animal Shelter.

This Sunday May 20th Wishbone’s good friend Don Brown, his gang of merry men, and the Hill Top Grill are donating their time and space to help celebrate a job well done by the Allegan Community and animals lovers across the State of Michigan.

Six great bands and food, how else would you spend a Sunday afternoon ?

Over the past month we transported six dogs to a private rescue group in the Houghton, MI area. Since that time we have lost all contact with the organization and dogs. They seem to have disappeared and we very much fear for their safety. If you are a pet professional in the Hougton area, be that a veterinarian, animal shelter, volunteer, groomer, day care provider, or pet sitter and think you may know the where abouts of one of these angels please contact the Allegan County Animal Shelter at (269) 686-5112, or via e-mail at alleganshelter@gmail.com.

Thank you.

Mono, Male Chihuahua Mix	Walley, Male Jack Russel Dachshund Mix	Dillon, Male Staffy Terrier Point Mix
Gina, Female Staffy Terrier Mi	Rango, Male Rat Terrier Mix	Kadar, Male Staffy Terrier Mix