Celebrate National Pet Day by Adopting a Furry Friend

Check out these adoptable animals waiting for their forever homes in metro Detroit
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There are many reasons to adopt a pet, including breaking the cycle of pet overpopulation and giving an animal a chance at a fulfilling life. In honor of National Pet Day on April 11, we reached out to local animal shelters in metro Detroit to find adoptable animals looking for their forever homes.


Pepperoni is a slender and elegant 1-year-old male who came to Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit (FAMD) as a lost cat. Pepperoni has a tendency to be shy, but allows petting. Given patience and time, FAMD says that his adopter will be rewarded with a sweet and loving cat. Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit, 2661 Greenfield Rd., Dearborn; 313-943-2697; metrodetroitanimals.orgPepperoni
A 1-year-old mixed-breed female, Itty Bitty, loves to play fetch and adores squeaky toys. A wiggly friend who came to the shelter as a lost dog, she’s known to shelter staff as loving and snuggly. Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit, 2661 Greenfield Rd., Dearborn; 313-943-2697; metrodetroitanimals.orgItty Bitty
Kurt is a 9-month-old mixed-breed male who came to the shelter as a lost dog. As a shy animal, Kurt will do best in a calm and quiet home. FAMD staff say he loves soft treats and think he’ll become more active in a comfortable environment. Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit, 2661 Greenfield Rd., Dearborn; 313-943-2697; metrodetroitanimals.orgKurt
A 3-to 4-year-old bulldog mix with an adorable pout, Hope transferred to Detroit Dog Rescue from Detroit Animal Care and Control. Initially a very fearful dog, Hope has started to gain confidence, staff say. Hope would love to have an adopter/foster who will give her a safe place to relax as the only pet in the home with preferably adults or older children. Detroit Dog Rescue, St. Clair Shores; 313-458-8014; detroitdogrescue.com Hope
Boss is a 3-year-old shepherd mix. He is known to be kind, smart, and loves to train. Having been in a few homes already, Boss would prefer a home with active adults and older children. As an energetic dog, he gets along well with playful female dogs and should go to a home without cats. Detroit Dog Rescue, St. Clair Shores; 313-458-8014; detroitdogrescue.com Boss
Max is a 5-year-old Pitbull mix who was found as a stray this winter. Discovered stressed and sick, Detroit Dog Rescue staff say that he would love a place to relax while he gets healthy. An extremely loving and smart animal, Max does well with adults and children and would prefer to be the only pet in his new home. Detroit Dog Rescue, St. Clair Shores; 313-458-8014; detroitdogrescue.com Max
As his name hints at, Starbucks is a coffee-colored 4 years old pitbull mix. Since receiving medical care and kindness at Detroit Dog Rescue, Starbucks has opened up and is known to be an absolute favorite among shelter staff. He loves taking long walks but also enjoys relaxing. Starbucks would prefer a home without children or other pets. Detroit Dog Rescue, St. Clair Shores; 313-458-8014; detroitdogrescue.com Starbucks
A 6-year-old pitbull mix, Polly was transferred to Detroit Dog Rescue from Detroit Animal Care and Control. Polly will happily accompany her human counterpart on a stroll but is most interested in relaxing and eating snacks. Polly would prefer to be the only pet in her new home. Detroit Dog Rescue, St. Clair Shores; 313-458-8014; detroitdogrescue.com Polly
An all-black lop rabbit, Kennedy was purchased at a pet store by a teenager, who later left for college. She was eventually surrendered to the Midwest Rabbit Rescue and Re-home. She is excellent with her litter box and loves her daily piece of romaine lettuce. Midwest Rabbit Rescue and Re-home, Ann Arbor; 313-912-797; rabbitrr.orgKennedy
This rabbit was born at the shelter after his mom was rescued from a box along the side of a busy road. Audien and his family lived in foster care with cats for playmates and is known to staff members as sweet, curious, and playful. Midwest Rabbit Rescue and Re-home, Ann Arbor; 313-912-797; rabbitrr.orgAudien
A 2-year-old dog, Rhett loves people and spending time outside. Wyandotte Animal Adoption Center staff say that Rhett’s ideal companion would be someone with experience handling strong dogs and someone who also spends a lot of time engaging in outdoor activities. Wyandotte Animal Adoption Center, 1170 Grove St., Wyandotte; 734-246-1328; wacshelter.comRhett
Given up by his owner at only 8 months old, Diesel lacked structure in his previous life and now, at 11 months old, is looking for a human eager to guide him and provide companionship. Leash walking was foreign to him at first, but staff are impressed by how much he’s progressed. Wyandotte Animal Adoption Center, 1170 Grove St., Wyandotte; 734-246-1328; wacshelter.comDiesel
An older dog who loves attention, Randall is known to have a wonderful personality and gentle disposition. Easy to walk, respectful to other animals, and loving of people, Randall is close to 10 years old (and has a number of age-related medical problems), but is still going strong. Wyandotte Animal Adoption Center, 1170 Grove St., Wyandotte; 734-246-1328; wacshelter.comRandall
Mignon is a senior cat at nearly 10 years old. Found abandoned in a carrier, Mignon has impaired hearing. After a lengthy physical and emotional rehabilitation with staff members, she is a now a revitalized cat looking for a steady home. Wyandotte Animal Adoption Center, 1170 Grove St., Wyandotte; 734-246-1328; wacshelter.comMignon
Mushu was found as a stray with a number of infected wounds. Close to 5-years-old, Mushu is now healthy and looking for the right human. Wyandotte Animal Adoption Center, 1170 Grove St., Wyandotte; 734-246-1328; wacshelter.comMushu
Missy Elliott is a 5-year-old FIV positive cat found on the street in Detroit. Feeling safest up at the top of catwalk at the Catfe, a local cafe and cat shelter working in collaboration with the Ferndale Cat Shelter, Missy Elliot is a shy, sweet, and gentle cat. Ferndale Cat Shelter, 821 Livernois Ave., Ferndale; 248-733-3554; ferndalecatshelter.orgMissy Elliott
Heidi was living with a woman who passed away from cancer. The senior cat, who is approximately 18-19 years old, is doing very well for her age and is in great health. Although she’s lived with other cats, she doesn’t seem to be particularly bonded to any other cats, and would do fine in a home alone. With a heart shaped nose and loving personality, Heidi reflects the personality of her past owner. Ferndale Cat Shelter, 821 Livernois Ave., Ferndale; 248-733-3554; ferndalecatshelter.orgHeidi
Rescued at about 5 weeks old, it’s suspected that Riley had been stepped on. She has spent nine years of life without the use of her back legs and can still move around just fine. Known to love her laser toy and frequent snuggles, Riley is an incredibly loving cat, according to Ferndale Cat Shelter staff. Ferndale Cat Shelter, 821 Livernois Ave., Ferndale; 248-733-3554; ferndalecatshelter.orgRiley
A healthy 11-year-old cat, Daisy came to the Catfe in 2015 after her human passed away. She would do best as the only cat in the home. Staff say that she has a sweet side to her and just needs a quiet home to get the love she deserves. Ferndale Cat Shelter, 821 Livernois Ave., Ferndale; 248-733-3554; ferndalecatshelter.orgDaisy
A pitbull/terrier mix, Cali was surrendered to the Michigan Animal Rescue League (MARL), because her owner could no longer care for her. Referred to as a playful dog, staff say that when you approach Cali she gets a major case of “Wiggle Butt.” Cali is described as a young active sidekick because she enjoys interacting with people and loves attention. Michigan Animal Rescue League, 790 Featherstone St., Pontiac; 248-335-9290; marleague.org  Cali
TJ is a big, cuddly, and incredibly sweet lap cat. Known to be reserved in new situations, TJ does open up eventually and turns into a “velcro” cat. She loves walking laps, spending time with people, and soaking up attention. Michigan Animal Rescue League, 790 Featherstone St., Pontiac; 248-335-9290; marleague.org  TJ
Surrendered by her owner, Sheena came to the MARL from a house with too many cats. Staff say she’s now ready to be spoiled in a forever home. Sheena is a regal and quiet cat who likes attention, but on her own terms. Michigan Animal Rescue League, 790 Featherstone St., Pontiac; 248-335-9290; marleague.org  Sheena

***Make sure to contact the shelter to check on the availability and specific details (such as medical needs) of each animal. Descriptions were shortened for brevity. Please conduct preliminary research on the specific needs of each pet, whether they are cats, dogs, or rabbits, before committing to adoption or foster care.