Lost and Found Pets?
We’re Here to Help
Harbor Humane serves as Ottawa County’s official center for lost and found pets and stray animals. Whether you’re missing a beloved pet or have found one, we provide trusted, compassionate support to help reunite families.
Looking for Your Pet?
Search the Stray Animals Currently at HH
If You’ve
Lost a Pet
First Steps to Reunite
Having your pet go missing can be a nerve-wracking experience. Harbor Humane is Ottawa County’s contracted animal shelter, and we are the first place people should look for their lost animal! Here are some tips to get you started.
File a lost pet report immediately, either online or in-person, at your local animal shelter. Viewing pets in person helps too.
Immediately search nearby areas, including under decks, in vehicles, garages, and around the neighborhood. Cats are especially good at hiding and could be close to your backyard.
Spread the word! Talk to neighbors, share flyers and post photos on social media, including Ottawa County Lost and Found Animals, community boards, and Nextdoor. Harbor Humane monitors and manages the Ottawa County Lost and Found page.
If You’ve
Found a Pet
How to Help Them Get Home Safely
If you have found a stray cat or dog, there are several steps you can take to help reunite the lost pet with its owner and ensure the safety of both you and the animal.
1.
Approach cautiously. If the pet is frightened or injured, stay safe by calling Animal Control or local police. If you are able to get the animal on a leash or into your car, try to keep the animal secured (in a back seat or on leash) until you can get the animal to safety.
2.
Look for an ID tag, and if present, contact the owner immediately. If there is no ID tag, take the animal to a vet, shelter, or Animal Control to scan a microchip.
3.
Try posting about the animal on Finding Rover or Ottawa County Lost & Found Animals.
4.
Bring the animal to Harbor Humane or contact Animal Control for assistance with transportation. Harbor Humane is the safest option for housing a found animal. Found animals have the best chance at getting back home if they are brought to us for their stray hold. We will also post on local lost animal pages and utilize our resources to hopefully get in touch with the owner.
5.
If the owner is not found, the animal will become available for adoption after their stray hold is up.
Help! I’ve Found a Kitten. Now What?
Not sure what to do if you’ve found a stray cat or kitten? Our Adult Cat & Kitten Guide can help! It breaks down the best steps to take based on the cat’s age and condition so you can feel confident in choosing the right course of action to help.
Stray Holds and
Reclaiming Policies
All animals who are brought in as strays are held for a certain length of time to allow the owner time to reunite.
- Animals without ID are held for 4 days (starting the day after intake).
- Animals with ID are held for 7 days.
- ID tag, rabies tags, or license tags
- Veterinary records
- Current pictures
- Registration papers
- Detailed description of animal
- Dog License: If the owner cannot produce a valid dog license, one will be issued for the animal.
- Rabies Certification: Rabies Certificate or County Rabies tag must be presented at the time an animal is reclaimed. Owners who are unable to provide proof of rabies inoculation must pay for a Rabies Certification. All animals over 12 weeks of age are required by MDARD to be vaccinated for rabies.
Animals can be reclaimed during the following days and times*:
- Sunday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday-Friday: 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. -4 p.m.
*There are factors which may prevent your animal from going home on the same day. Please confirm with us at 616.399.2119 to make sure your animal is ready for pick up.
- First Redemption: $65
- Second Redemption within 1 year: $115
- Third Redemption within 1 year: $225
- Redemption fees include standard vaccines (distemper/Bordetella) for which they are vaccinated upon intake and a microchip. However, fees do not include rabies vaccine, extraordinary medical attention, excessive boarding costs, and license fees. To encourage spay/neuter of returned animals, the Executive Director may approve a waiver of specific redemption fees if the owner agrees to spay/neuter their animal.
- Boarding fees after 24 hours are $40/day. However, getting pets home is our priority, so please do not let fees discourage you from picking up your pet. We are always willing to work with you so we can encourage you to reach out.
- Rabies vaccine (if there is no proof of past rabies vaccine history): $30
- Dog license (Ottawa County residents): $10 (spayed/neutered) or $25 (unfixed)
**If you are experiencing financial hardship, flexibility is available. Don’t let the cost of reclaim prevent you from getting your animal back!
Pet pickup hours can vary, so please verify that your pet is available to go home that day by calling 616-399-2119.
