Genesee County Animal Shelter Increases Animal Adoption Fee

Published on January 02, 2026

Sheriff Joseph Graff would like to inform the community that effective January 1, 2026, the cost to adopt an animal at the Genesee County Animal Shelter is $100. As is the standing policy, $50 of this fee will go to the Volunteers for Animals to support its adoption and spay/neutering programs and the other $50 will go towards the cost of operations for the shelter.

“After discussions with the Volunteers for Animals, comparing adoption fees at surrounding county shelters/rescues, and taking into consideration cost increases since 2016 (which was the last time the animal adoption fee was increased), a collective decision was made to update the animal adoption fee to $100,” stated Sheriff Graff. “To prepare an animal for adoption, the Volunteers for Animals covers expenses for vaccines, medications, and general veterinarian costs that include spaying/neutering surgeries. The County provides each adopted animal with a rabies vaccine and the initial distemper vaccine as well as food and supplies while at the shelter. Although the increase in the adoption fee will not cover these expenses entirely, it will help offset some of these expenses. Therefore, in the best interest of the Volunteers for Animals and the operations of the shelter, we collectively agreed to increase the animal adoption fee.”