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An ARC of Mecosta County volunteer takes care of one of the shelter's cats. (Courtesy/Cate Arroe)

The Mecosta County Animal Rescue Coalition has reported low numbers of surrendered dogs and cats this year despite other shelters showing signs of struggling.

BIG RAPIDS — Throughout the pandemic, many have turned to furry companionship in a dog or cat. But in some cases, these animals find themselves back in shelters due to challenges in the home.

At the Mecosta County Animal Rescue Coalition, providing a safe start to life and finding homes for dogs and cats is the focus. 

According to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, nationally 23 million American households acquired a pet during the COVID-19 crisis and most will not consider re-homing their pet. 

Cate Arroe, director of the Mecosta County ARC, said they have not seen very high rates of surrender cases with adopted animals. 

“It kind of depends on the amount of time that somebody had the animal,” Arroe said. “As an example, somebody just contacted us that adopted a dog three years ago that wants to return it. So we would put that dog on the waiting list, and we won't take it back immediately. But if somebody adopted a dog and wanted to bring it back the very next day, yes, we'll bring it back. We try to figure out what the problem was.

“Lots of times, honestly, they don't give the animals any time to not be a perfect animal,” she added “They always say it'll take three weeks to decompress and stuff like that. Lots of times, it's not the animal’s fault that they have come back. One cat came back recently because it wouldn't use the litter box, so there are a variety of reasons. Hopefully, through that, we learn what would be a better situation for the animal.” 

Arroe is a part of an email thread that includes all of the shelters across the state and has seen that many of them are struggling with help or are overrun with animals and surrenders. 

Michigan has over 170 animal shelters, and in 2018, the state achieved a “no-kill" state designation from the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance.

Arroe said that during the pandemic, many shelters saw high adoption rates, and the ARC was no different. 

“During the pandemic, there was a point I think we had two dogs because our adoptions were so good,” Arroe said. “Everybody wanted a pet during the pandemic because they were lonely, and we have been completely lucky that we are not getting tons of returns. We're getting the same number of returns as we would have years ago.

"We are pretty picky about where the animals go. We do references and make sure that they're going to the right home. We don't just let anybody have a dog and a cat. So I think that really helped us a lot.” 

According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Animal Industry Division, at the ARC in 2020, the shelter took in 230 dogs and 121 cats. The organization found homes for 154 dogs and 114 cats and transferred only three cats and one dog to other shelters in the state. 

The shelter only euthanized one dog in 2020 and does not provide euthanasia services to the public. 

Arroe said it is hard to see animals come back to the shelter but they are happy to provide a safe place for animals looking for a forever home. 

“No animal wants to come back to the shelter, even though we love them,” Arroe said. “Honestly, they don't want to come back. They're not happy to be there. I have not seen an animal deteriorate or come back and just kind of shut off or something like that. We are pretty lucky with that. It's never my choice and I always hate it, but it really just helps us find a better home for the animal the second time.” 

Especially when considering adopting an animal, Arroe explained that it’s important to consider things like the type or breed of animal and what that specific animal requires and enjoys in terms of exercise and temperament. 

One of the main reasons the ARC sees surrendered pets is because an owner is unprepared for their animal or unaware of their needs before adoption. Other times, an animal may just not be a good fit for a given home. 

“If (the issue) is monetary, we try to give people food and litter and supplies and stuff like that to try to keep the pet in the home,” Arroe said. “Sometimes it’s that someone is moving and can't take their pets. I don't know how hard they're trying to find a place where they can get to keep their pet. That one makes me probably the saddest because we will often get pets that have been in a home for five to 10 years, and now they're suddenly moving and they don't take their pet with them.”

One item the ARC needs currently is extra cat litter, especially recycled paper pellets. 

In addition, the organization can always use more supplies for animals including puppy pads, Purina cat chow, nylabones, soft dog treats, Purina dog and puppy chow, Purina kitten chow and cat treats. The only dog toys the organization uses are nylabones and tennis balls. 

Arroe said the staff at the ARC is appreciative of all of the support they have received. 

“The community supports us so nicely and I'm always completely grateful for that,” Arroe said. “There's a lot of shelters in Michigan that are hurting badly and we're not, we really are doing great. We couldn't do that without the community, and I'm always so appreciative of that.”

Currently, the shelter has six dogs and 11 cats available for adoption. Five of the cats up for adoption are kittens. 

For more information on the Mecosta County ARC and to reach out about volunteering or adoptions, visit the organization’s website at www.arcofmecostacounty.com.