Flint, Michigan – For thousands of animals entering Genesee County’s shelter system, the difference between uncertainty and a second chance has come down to a community willing to help.
That collective effort has now earned national recognition. Genesee County Animal Care has been honored by Best Friends Animal Society after achieving and maintaining a 90% save rate throughout the 2025 calendar year, qualifying the facility for recognition as a no-kill shelter.
The milestone reflects far more than a percentage. It represents animals reunited with families, placed in new homes, transferred to rescue organizations or given time to recover through foster care. It also marks years of work toward creating a shelter environment centered on compassion, cooperation and hope.
GCAC officials credited the achievement to the people working both inside and outside the shelter. Staff members and volunteers handled the daily care of animals, while rescue partners helped create additional placement opportunities. Adopters opened their homes, foster families provided temporary care, and donors and other supporters supplied resources needed to continue the shelter’s work.
Together, those efforts helped GCAC reach the 90% benchmark during an entire calendar year rather than for only a brief period.
The Genesee County Board of Commissioners joined local pet lovers in recognizing the accomplishment and expressing gratitude to everyone involved. Commissioners described the shelter’s mission as noble work and said they were proud of the progress made throughout the county.
“This milestone represents thousands of lives saved and second chances made possible by the dedication of shelter staff, volunteers, rescue partners, adopters, foster families, donors, and supporters,” the county stated.
The recognition also highlights the role residents play in shelter outcomes. Every adoption creates space for another animal. Foster homes can provide relief when kennels are full, while donations and volunteer work strengthen services available to animals waiting for permanent placement.
For GCAC, the award is both a celebration of what was accomplished in 2025 and a reminder that maintaining those results requires continued involvement.
County leaders thanked the community for standing behind the shelter and helping make the national recognition possible. The achievement belongs to GCAC, but it was built through hundreds of individual decisions to adopt, foster, volunteer, donate or simply support the work of giving animals another opportunity.