Little Traverse Bay Humane Society to Assume Emmet County Stray Animal Services Contract Beginning January 1
Harbor Springs, MI — Beginning January 1, 2026, Little Traverse Bay Humane Society (LTBHS) will officially assume responsibility for Emmet County’s stray animal services contract, marking an important step in strengthening animal welfare, public safety, and community support across the county.
Under the new agreement, all stray animals will be brought directly to LTBHS, where they will receive professional care throughout their legally required stray hold period. Animals will be provided immediate medical assessment, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and humane care while efforts are made to reunite them with their families.
Previously, stray animals were housed at the Emmet County Stray Center, operated by Bay Area Pet Resort, for the duration of the seven-day hold period required by county ordinance before being transferred for further care or placement.
““This transition reflects the work we’ve already been doing for years. LTBHS has long provided the medical care, sterilization, and placement for stray animals in our county after their legal hold period. Being awarded the stray contract gives us the legal authority to hold stray animals and aligns responsibility with the organization already delivering those outcomes. This ensures animals receive timely, appropriate care from the moment they arrive.””
Stray animals entering LTBHS care will be publicly posted at ltbhs.org/stray and shared through the organization’s managed Facebook group, Emmet County, MI Lost and Found Pets, helping families locate missing pets quickly and efficiently.
““This partnership ensures animals in Emmet County receive consistent, high-quality care while providing clear, accessible resources for residents. We’re confident this transition will benefit both animals and the community as a whole.””
For nearly 75 years, Little Traverse Bay Humane Society has served as a cornerstone of animal welfare in Emmet County and throughout Northern Michigan. Beyond sheltering, LTBHS provides veterinary care, foster placement, cruelty case support, reunification services, and community-based prevention programs designed to keep pets safely in homes whenever possible.
“We’ve worked intentionally to build a campus and a team capable of responding to animals no matter how they arrive at our door,” Ramsey added. “This contract strengthens the safety net for animals and families in Emmet County and brings clarity, accountability, and continuity to a system that already depended on our care.”
Community members who find a stray animal or require Animal Control assistance should call 911, where dispatchers will coordinate with the Emmet County Animal Control Officer. The public is also welcome to bring strays directly to LTBHS during normal business hours.
For more information about Little Traverse Bay Humane Society or to view currently impounded animals, visit ltbhs.org/stray.