 
Note from the Director
Dear Community Members,
It feels good to be home! Over 12 weeks, from January to March, our shelter relocated all operations, including nearly 40 dogs and almost 20 staff members, to a temporary space while our facility underwent a much-needed renovation, which included new flooring and paint throughout the building. Staff and animals have had a few weeks to get settled back in, and we are now enjoying business as usual. With refinished floors and new paint, along with numerous smaller upgrades throughout the building, the shelter is a brighter and more comfortable space for both staff and animals.
I want to thank our staff at KCAS for their patience and flexibility during what was a very long and often challenging stay in a temporary space. We recently celebrated with a Grand Reopening event and invited several of our community partners to join us. We also offered tours so visitors could see behind the scenes!
We invite you to come and visit us, meet some of our animals, and explore the facility upgrades! Maybe you’ll meet your new best friend….
Your support is greatly appreciated,
Angela Hollinshead
Director, Kent County Animal Shelter
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Tick Season Is In Full Swing
Dogs and cats often come into contact with ticks when they are outside. Like humans, pets can get sick with tickborne diseases. In addition, pets can transport ticks from outside the home to inside, where the ticks may then bite people. Dogs can also be infested by the brown dog tick, which occurs across the United States and is unique in that it can infest indoor spaces like homes and kennels.
Watch your pet closely for changes in behavior or appetite if you know or suspect that it has been bitten by a tick. Signs of tickborne disease may not appear for 7-21 days or longer after a tick bite. Except for Lyme disease in dogs, pets cannot be vaccinated against tickborne diseases. Talk to your veterinarian about tickborne diseases that occur in your local area, or if you are considering a Lyme disease vaccine for your dog.
How can you prevent ticks?
Daily checks to find and remove ticks that are crawling on or biting your pets helps to keep them healthy. It also may prevent crawling ticks from getting onto and biting a person. Ticks crawling on or biting a pet can be hard to spot, especially for breeds with long and dark fur. The image below shows where ticks often are found biting on a dog
Dogs are very susceptible to tick bites and tickborne diseases. Vaccines are not available for most of the tickborne diseases that dogs can get, and they don't keep the dogs from bringing ticks into your home. For these reasons, it's important to use a tick preventive product on your dog.
Note: Cats are extremely sensitive to a variety of chemicals. Do not apply any tick prevention products to your cats without first asking your veterinarian.
Don’t let ticks crash you outdoor fun this summer! Watch our video about tick prevention here.
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National Rescue Dog Day
 National Rescue Dog Day is observed annually in May and its goal is to promote the adoption of dogs from shelters, rescue organizations, and pounds. Though, we think National Rescue Dog Day should be EVERY day! KCAS cares for over 1,500 canine friends each year. Many of them once had a home and a family of their own. Most shelter dogs are well-rounded, socially outgoing dogs who end up homeless for no fault of their own. Adopting a dog not only provides that pup with a second chance they deserve, but it also opens up space and resources in the shelter for the next dog in need.
Did we mention that we get every breed imaginable? One common misconception is that shelters primarily receive a few main breeds of dogs, such as mixed breeds, hounds, and bully breeds. In reality, dogs with the primary or secondary breed as American Staffordshire terrier (Commonly referred to as a Pitbull) only made up 36% of KCAS shelter intake in 2024. If you are looking for a specific breed to adopt, be patient. We intake over 30 dogs each week, and we never know what will come through our doors.
If you are ready to open your heart and home to a shelter pet, please visit our website to meet them all on our Adoptable Pets page.
4th Of July Safety
Our team is advising pet owners to take precautions in the days leading up to the 4th of July holiday as fireworks may disrupt the behavior of animals.
“Fourth of July is difficult for pets who struggle with anxiety,” said Angela Hollinshead, KCAS Director. “We want to make sure pet owners know what to do in case their animal becomes anxious, who to call if their pet goes missing, or if they see stray animals.”
The KCAS offers the following fireworks tips for dog and cat owners:
- Keep your pet indoors during fireworks to prevent them from running away.
- Walk your dog during the daylight hours so you can keep them inside at night when people are most likely to use fireworks.
- If you know your dog has a hard time with fireworks, talk to your veterinarian about medications that might be able to help with their anxiety.
- Make sure your pet has access to a comfortable place to hide and do not try to move them from their hiding space as this can cause additional stress.
- Muffle the sound of fireworks by closing all window and doors. You can also turn on music or the television to help soften the jarring noises.
- Consider staying indoors with your pets to offer them comfort and reassurance.
- Make sure your animals have an ID tag or chip in case they get lost and ensure the information connected to your pets’ microchip is up to date.
Pet owners can also register their pets for Petco Love Lost facial recognition software by uploading a picture of their pet to petcolovelost.org. A person who finds a lost animal can take a photo of them and the website will do a facial recognition search, showing owners the lost animals that look like their pet.
The KCAS offers the following tips if you lost your pet or found an animal:
- Post found pets to local Facebook groups and Nextdoor, or
- Hang flyers in the area where the animal was found.
For concerns regarding a loose animal or animal welfare, residents should call the Kent County Sheriff’s Animal Control at (616) 632-7310. For concerns after hours and on holidays, residents should call the non-emergency number of their local police department.
Pets Available for Adoption
Be sure to visit our website if you are interested in adopting a pet. We have dozens of dogs and cats looking for forever homes and even have some smaller furry and feathered friends as well. To view our full list of adoptable pets, please visit here.
Support Our Shelter: Make a Difference Today
We need your help to make a difference at the shelter. Your support can change lives—both for the animals in our care and the families in our community.
Every donation, whether big or small, goes directly towards providing essential care, comfort, and love to animals in need. From medical treatment to adoption services, your generosity ensures that every animal has a chance at a happy, healthy life.
Please consider giving today. Whether it's a one-time donation, a monthly contribution, or volunteering your time, your support is invaluable.
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