Name Change Planned for Genesee Animal Control

Alright, so this is one of those stories where at first you hear it and think, okay, a name change, not a big deal. But this one actually means something. Genesee County Animal Control could have a new name any day. The plan is to officially change it to Genesee County Animal Care according to MLive.

Why Genesee County Wants to Change the Name

And yeah, that sounds like a simple rebrand, but there’s a bigger reason behind it. For years, animal control had a certain reputation. That’s where animals were taken, and a lot of times they never made it out.

But the people running it now say that’s not who they are anymore. They’ve added things like vaccine clinics and even a pet food pantry. The focus has completely shifted to saving animals and getting them adopted.

How Animal Control Has Changed Over the Years

In fact, they’re now saving around 96% of the animals that come through, which is a massive turnaround from where things were about a decade ago, when thousands of animals were being euthanized every year.

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So from their perspective, calling it Genesee County Animal Care better reflects what they actually do today. Now, not everyone is on board.

Concerns About Confusion for Residents

One commissioner pushed back, saying it could confuse people, especially older residents who’ve always known it as Animal Control, and in an emergency, that familiarity matters.

But the department says most people already know where they’re located, and this is more about changing the image moving forward. They’ve also invested a lot into the shelter itself with upgrades, expansions, and better conditions for the animals. So really, this isn’t just a name change, it’s them trying to show they’re not that place anymore.

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So, who do you call? If you hit one of these animals, you’ll want to contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or local law enforcement. If it’s an actual emergency, call 911; otherwise, just dial the non-emergency number. They’ll handle the situation and make sure everything's squared away. Just don’t forget to report it.

Gallery Credit: Tony LaBrie

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