Oakland and Wayne Counties, MI

Oakland and Wayne Counties, MI Dog Resource Guide

Local Laws and Ordinances that Affect Dog Owners

• Licensing Laws - Michigan State Law requires that all dogs over the age of six months be properly licensed and registered, however many areas, including Northville, Beverly Hills, South Lyon, Birmingham, and Berkley require all dogs over the age of four months to be licensed and registered. Visit these links or call your city or county offices for pricing information. See also Farmington, Bloomfield, and Plymouth.
• Leash Laws - Troy, Clawson, Novi, Beverly Hills, South Lyon, Walled Lake, and Birmingham require that all dogs be on a leash unless on the owner’s property or in a designated off-leash area.
• “Pooper Scooper” Laws - Canton, Birmingham, Troy, Beverly Hills, and South Lyon  strictly enforce “pooper scooper” laws requiring pet owners to immediately remove excrement from  any property, public or private, that is not their own. Plymouth requires that its citizens also keep their own yards clean of pet waste to avoid foul odors and the spread of disease. While Novi does not currently enforce a “pooper scooper” law, the city strongly encourages its citizens to clean up after their pets in an effort to protect the Rouge River from further environmental hazards.
• Limit Laws - Troy and Clawson both enforce a limit of three dogs over the age of six months residing on any one piece of property.

• Pets are welcome at most Canton and Royal Oak parks provided they are on a leash and owners promptly and safely remove any excrement. Plans for the addition of an off-leash dog park are in progress for Canton’s Summit on the Park.
• The Northville Dog Parks System includes off-leash areas at Cady Street Park and Community Park. Pet owners wishing to use the dog parks must participate in a brief education session geared to make the dog park experience more pleasant for everyone.
• The Springdale Dog Park, part of the Springdale Golf Course and Park in Birmingham, offers a fenced in, off-leash area for dogs. Visit their website for a complete list of park rules.
• The Hines Park Dog Park, operated by Wayne County, provides an open, off-leash are for dogs. Pet owners must register their pets with the county before accessing the park. Visit the Wayne County Website for interesting information on the benefits of having dog parks in an area.
• Orion Oaks Park and Lyon Oaks Park are operated by Oakland County and provide off-leash areas for dogs. Visit the Oakland County Dog Parks webpage for information on upcoming park events and other pet-friendly parks in the area.
• Unofficial plans are in progress for an off-leash dog park in Novi.

Humane Societies and Animal Shelters

• The Michigan Humane Society is the oldest and largest animal shelter in Michigan. They offer clinics for micro-chipping and sterilization at a reduced price. By the year 2010, they hope to become a “no-kill” shelter where all adoptable animals find a loving home.
• The Royal Oak Animal Shelter is a city-run shelter for lost or abandoned pets. Visit their website to see the “Pet of the Week” and view all the pets currently available for adoption.
• The Oakland Pet Adoption Center seeks permanent, loving homes for abandoned pets in Oakland County, and offer affordable spaying/neutering for low-income families. Their goal is to effect a “no-kill” policy by 2010.
• Almost Home Animal Rescue League in a dedicated non-profit group of volunteers who are committed to finding a loving home for every animal. They have a firm “no-kill” policy and hope for a day when every dog can have a loving home.

Additional Dog Organizations and Ideas We Support

• Mid-Michigan Boxer Rescue offers a temporary home and medical care for boxers in need. Visit their website to view all of their boxers available for adoption or fostering and read about exciting programs like their “Seniors for Seniors” program, placing older boxers with senior citizens.
• Shar Pei Savers Inc. operates shelters throughout all of Michigan as well as Ohio and Wisconsin. They are constantly in need of permanent and foster homes for their ever growing number of rescued Shar Pei. Visit their site for tons of insightful information on the Shar Pei breed and to find out how you can help with their cause.
• The Michigan Greyhound Connection is a non-profit shelter run entirely by volunteers. They work tirelessly to find loving homes for ex-racers and to educate the public on the cruelty inflicted on these animals by the racing organizations.
• Specialty Pet Supplies Inc., located in Plymouth, supplies the state of Michigan with a diverse group of holistic pet food and other pet care products.
• Nancy Janoch and Jim Thompson, the owners of Happy Hounds Dog Day Care, offer day care services and training for dogs in the Plymouth area.