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CITY OF SAGINAW

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION
2022-2023

ANIMAL SERVICES

ANIMAL SERVICES DIVISION: This division maintains the animal shelter and is responsible for
controlling stray animals and investigating reports of stray domestic animals, loose livestock,
wild animals, trapped animals, sick or injured animals and barking dogs. They also have traps
that residents can borrow to catch nuisance animals such as skunks, raccoons, armadillos and
stray/feral cats. They respond to reports of animal bites and insure that the biting animal is
quarantined according to state laws. They investigate reports of “vicious animals” and conduct
the necessary hearings for dangerous dogs or animals. Investigations also include reports of
animal cruelty, and seizures of animal based on the appropriate findings, and assist the Police
Department and Fire Department when animals are involved.

Animal Services currently has twenty four (24) dog kennels in the adoption facility, eight (8) cat
condos in the adoption facility, ten (10) holding pens for dogs, seven (7) of these pens in
quarantine can be used for quarantine of bite animals, and nine (9) cat cages in cat quarantine
that are also used for stray holds and quarantine of sick or cats that have bitten someone, and
nine (9) cat cages in cat quarantine that are also used for stray holds. Animals can be viewed
from their pens on the City’s web page. Citizens can also list lost and found animals on the web
page. Animal Shelter staff also maintains the City of Saginaw Animal Services Facebook page
and posts animals to this page that are impounded, lost or found animals, in an attempt to
quickly reunite the animals with their owners, and answers questions that citizens may have
pertaining to Animal Services.

In October 2019, the City of Saginaw partnered with the City of Blue Mound to provide Animal
Services for that community. Animal Services goal is to find "forever" homes for all animals at
the shelter whether that be through adoption or rescue groups. Animal Services partners with
rescue groups all over the US to find homes for these animals.

Over the past 3+ years, our Animal Services staff have been constantly working to improve the
Live Release Rate at Saginaw Animal Services to move to become what is known as a “No Kill
Shelter”. There is no such thing as a true 100% no kill shelter. To become considered a no-kill
shelter, your live release rate must be at 90 percent of animals are adopted, transferred to
rescue groups, and/or returned to owner/guardian. An advantage of these shelters is that they
strive to keep animals alive and provide them a home. Over the past 3+ years, Saginaw Animal
Services has worked diligently to increase the LRR to over 98% and qualify as a "No-Kill-Shelter
which is a great accomplishment.

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