Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter

10/14/2026

On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter (ICACS) officers were contacted by local law enforcement to assist with a cow at large near the northbound US-127 exit ramp at Lake Lansing Road.

According to information received, the cow fell from a livestock trailer after it was improperly secured during transport. The individual transporting the animal was reportedly unaware that the cow was missing until arriving at their destination over an hour away.

While we were coordinating a trailer to transport the cow, the cow subsequently moved from the highway area into nearby residential neighborhoods to the east, presenting an ongoing public safety concern.

Once it moved off the highway, ICACS officers attempted to chemically immobilize the cow in order to safely contain and secure the animal. Unfortunately, the medications had little to no effect, and the cow continued moving through the area.

As the incident progressed and the cow moved into a densely populated residential area with an elementary school in the immediate area, concerns for public safety drastically increased.

An additional attempt to chemically immobilize the cow was made with the assistance of a veterinarian who was brought to the scene. Unfortunately, this attempt was also unsuccessful.

Due to the continued inability to safely contain the animal and the ongoing risks to public safety, the decision was ultimately made to euthanize the cow. The animal was euthanized by local law enforcement using a fi***rm.

This was an unfortunate outcome to a challenging situation. Throughout the incident, repeated efforts were made to safely contain the animal and achieve a positive outcome. Unfortunately, as the situation escalated, the safety of residents and the surrounding community had to remain the priority.

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10/14/2026

FINAL UPDATE: Unfortunately, today's incident did not have the outcome we had hoped for. Despite repeated efforts to safely contain the cow, the animal was ultimately euthanized due to ongoing public safety concerns.

⚠️ UPDATE: Our officers are still actively working to resolve this situation. Unfortunately, despite efforts to safely secure the cow, the animal has continued moving through the area and has broken through multiple fences, creating a significant public safety concern.

We are asking residents to please stay clear of the area, do not approach the animal, and allow emergency personnel room to work.

We understand many people are concerned about the cow's well-being. This is a difficult situation, and the safety of both the public and responding personnel remains our priority.

We will provide another update when the situation has been resolved.

🐄 UPDATE (1:15 PM): The person who was transporting the cow has arrived on scene! Our officers are continuing to work on getting her safely secured.

We've got some breaking moos! 🐄

This morning, our officers responded to a rather unusual call on northbound US-127 near the Lake Lansing Road exit after a cow reportedly fell off a truck.

As you can imagine, dealing with a cow on the highway requires a little more than our usual equipment.

Thankfully, we have a livestock trailer! What we needed was a little extra help getting it to the scene.

❤️ A HUGE thank you to our friends at the Ingham County Fairgrounds and Exposition Center, who answered our call no and sent one of their team members to pick up our trailer and bring it out to the scene. We're incredibly grateful for community partners who are always willing to lend a helping hand (or hoof)!

Our unexpected visitor appears to have sustained some injuries, but we're hopeful he'll be okay. Our team is still working to get him safely secured.

⚠️ If you're traveling through the area, please use caution, give emergency personnel plenty of room to work, and do not stop or approach the animal.

We'll share an update when we have one!

10/13/2026

Remember the kitten with the button on his chin?

Well, we'd like to formally introduce you to Ribosome!

Ribosome came to us with a painful injury to his lower lip that required a couple of surgeries, some creative veterinary work, and a whole lot of TLC.

And look at him now! ❤️

His lip is healing, he's feeling better, and he's officially ready to find a family of his own!

Now, we do need to address something.

Ribosome has a face that suggests he's just been informed of some deeply troubling news. We promise he's doing much better than his expression would lead you to believe. 😂

He's still got a little healing left to do and will need softened food for the next couple of weeks, but otherwise, he's ready for his next chapter.

Ribosome is neutered, up to date on vaccinations, microchipped, and available for adoption!

He's been through a lot for such a little guy. Now we'd love to see him grow up in a home where his biggest concern is whether dinner is being served three minutes late. ❤️

10/13/2026

🐾 Maddie’s Meow of the Week 🐱

Each week, our volunteer Maddie conducts very serious research by hanging out with our shelter cats and reporting her findings to the public.

✨ This Week’s Cat: CORTEX

From her official bio:

Cortex is a 6-month-old tabby who came to the shelter as a stray. The person who found her kept her safe while waiting to see if an owner would come forward, but no one did. Now this little lady is ready to find a home of her own!

💬 Maddie’s take:

“Cortex is super annoying, but in the absolute best way. The second she sees you, she starts SCREAMING. Why? Because she has things to say and you WILL be hearing them. She has approximately 47 times the energy of a normal cat and considers being in her kennel a personal attack. She demands immediate release because there are toys to chase, people to bother, and absolutely no time to waste. She has a HUGE personality packed into a tiny body and would absolutely rule any household with an iron paw. She’s not looking to join your family. She’s looking to take over management.”

Cortex is six months old, full of energy, and ready to become the loudest, most entertaining member of someone's household. If you've ever wanted a tiny, furry dictator who screams at you for attention, Cortex would like to review your application. 🧡

10/12/2026

UPDATE: ADOPTED!

📣 OFFICIAL RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT 📣

After 10 years of being a very good boy, Ribs is officially announcing his retirement from having a hard time. 🐾

His retirement package requests are modest:

🛏️ A soft bed (preferably several)
🍽️ Regular meals with excellent service
☀️ Leisurely afternoons in the sunshine
❤️ Unlimited love and affection
🏡 A permanent residence with people who adore him

Ribs came to us severely underweight and in need of some extra TLC. He's been working hard on getting healthy, and despite everything, he's remained the sweetest, gentlest guy.

Now he's ready to trade shelter life for the retirement he deserves.

Applications for the position of Ribs' Retirement Coordinator (also known as his adopter) are officially OPEN. 💛

For more information about Ribs, you can submit an adoption inquiry here:
https://ac.ingham.org/how_do_i/adopt/adoption_inquiry.php

Or stop by the shelter to meet him! No appointment needed.

10/12/2026

Neil Diamond: "Hands, touching hands."

Tadpole: SAY LESS. 🐾

Our sweet, FIV-positive boy understood the assignment. Now he just needs someone to make this a permanent arrangement. ❤️

10/11/2026

Celebrating all the animals who found their way home this week! Whether it was back to their families or into loving new ones! 🏡❤️

10/11/2026

🐾 🐾

Who says you need four legs to live life in the fast lane? 💨

This week, we're helping our friends at Shiawassee Humane Society spread the word about Willow! She's got three legs, a whole lot of personality, and absolutely no plans to slow down. 💛

Willow is ready to zoom her way into someone's heart. Could that someone be you?

Check out her original post below and help us find this three-legged superstar her forever home! 🐶💕

10/10/2026

🐾 A little Girl Scout with a BIG heart! 💚

When Rory from Girl Scout Troop 30634 visited our shelter previously, she clearly left with a few furry friends on her mind.

Rory wanted to buy a Girk Scout BarkBox for EVERY dog at the shelter! While that wasn't quite in the family budget (we get it, Rory 😂), she and her family purchased three BarkBoxes to surprise some of our longest-stay residents!

This morning, Rory stopped by to personally deliver the goodies to Scalene, Mandible, and Goby! 🎁🐶

The dogs were thrilled with their new toys and treats, but we think they were even happier about the extra attention!

😁 Mandible showed off his signature toothy grin.

🐾 Scalene got in on the fun.

❤️ And Goby? Well, Goby absolutely stole the show! He soaked up the attention, had a blast with his new toys, and made some new friends along the way.

The best part? All three of these deserving dogs are still waiting for families of their own.

Rory, thank you for thinking of the dogs who have been waiting a little longer for their happy endings. Your kindness made their day a whole lot brighter! 💕

10/08/2026

🚨🦆 QUACK AND DISORDERLY. 🦆🚨

We've got a real hardened criminal on our hands, folks.

After spending approximately FOUR DAYS living life on the lam near W. Northrup St. and Mel Ave. in Lansing, this feathered fugitive was finally apprehended by Sergeant Hanney.

Was the duck grateful to be rescued?

No.

Was the duck cooperative?

Also no.

Did the duck choose violence?

Apparently, yes. 💀

According to Sergeant Hanney's official report:

"DID NOT APPRECIATE BEING RESCUED. LIKES TO BITE." 📝

We'd like to remind everyone that assaulting an officer is frowned upon, but our suspect appears entirely unbothered by this information.

At this time, the suspect's s*x is unknown, its attitude is terrible, and its willingness to cooperate with authorities is nonexistent.

We're hoping to locate the owner of this tiny menace before it demands legal representation.

If this is your duck, please contact us.