Local Government>Animal Control

Animal Control

The Van Buren County Domestic Animal Control facility is located at: 58040 C.R. 681 Hartford, MI, 49057 It is one-quarter mile south of Red Arrow Highway on C.R. 681. Phone : (269)621-4624 Office hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, the shelter is open from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00. Their web address is www.vbanimalcontrol.com There is Clerk/Dispatcher and Kennel Staff on duty during the hours the facility is open, while three Animal Control Officers in radio-dispatched trucks. Officers cover 632 square miles of Van Buren County roads. In 1997, a dog census of Van Buren County was initiated by Animal Control and a Census Officer was hired fulltime to keep this on going year round. All domestic animal complaints are handled, ranging from the licensing of household pets to livestock running-at-large and animal cruelties. After hours and weekend calls are handled by officers using a pager, and are dispatched through the Sheriff's Department. In 2000, Animal Control handled 1852 animal complaints and 201 animal bites. All reported dog bites are checked fro rabies, vaccinations and licenses. Dog bites and all other animals are then observed for a ten-day period, and a photo record is taken of the animal involved. The kennel facility, has 18 dog runs and 14 small animal cages. In addition there are two offices and a garage area. It is the goal of the facility to house strays and unwanted pets as long as necessary. Adoption fees are $10.00 per animal plus an additional $50.00 deposit toward the spraying/neutering of animals adopted from the shelter. Redemption $20.00 and $5.00 QD 2nd Time Dog pick up $30.00 3rd Time $50.00 4th Time $100.00 Dog licenses are available at the facility with vertification of valid rabies vaccination certificate signed by an accredited license veterinarian. The deadline for licensing dogs is March 1. The costs of a dog license in 2001 are: Sprayed/neutered dogs 1 Year $5.00 3 Year $15.00 Unaltered dogs 1 Year $10.00 3 Year $30.00 After March 1st date: The cost of a dog license are $25.00, with Spayed/neutered dogs 1 Year $15.00 3 Year $25.00 Unaltered dogs 1 Year $30.00 3 Year $50.00 Van Buren County strongly urges spaying and neutering of all pets to reduce unwanted pet population, and ultimately, reduce costs to the County for care and destruction of those unwanted animals. Kennel licenses are available through the facility after a completed inspection and approval by the Animal Control Director. Kennel licenses are as follws: Up to June 1st 1 - 10 dogs $30.00 11 - 19 dogs $50.00 20 or more dogs $80.00 After June 1st 1 - 10 dogs $60.00 11 - 19 dogs $100.00 20 or more dogs $160.00 Kennel Lie June - June

Page Last Updated: 9/2/2003