Thank you for your interest in the LC4 Volunteer Program. We recommend that you review the Frequently Asked Questions below to see if our volunteer program is a good fit for you and your schedule.
Can I bring a friend or family member with me to volunteer?
Each volunteer must go through the exact same approval process, so it is not an option to bring friends or family with you while you visit. If they are interested in meeting an adoptable dog at the shelter, they must visit while under the supervision of a staff member. The only exception to this is dogs taken out on a Dogs on the Town field trip. Friends or family members may accompany you, but all dog handling must be done by an approved volunteer.
If the department is closed on holidays, can we still volunteer?
Holiday volunteer hours will be addressed on an individual basis (depending on the holiday). If our department has appropriate staffing available in the building, volunteers are usually approved to walk dogs when the office is closed. The walking hours may be restricted and will be communicated by the outreach coordinator.
Should I aid a member of the public if they ask for help with a dog?
Due to liability reasons and union restrictions, dogs coming into our building (strays, owner surrenders, etc.) should only be handled by a staff member. If you are asked to offer any kind of assistance, we ask that you kindly explain your limitations as a volunteer and notify our front office to provide the necessary help.
I see that a dog has a very messy kennel. Am I allowed to clean it up?
Since our canine care technicians are members of a union and are responsible for cleaning the dog's housing areas, volunteers are not able to fully clean or sanitize the dog kennels (i.e. using the hose or scrub brushes). If the mess can be cleaned up with a rag/paper towels and spray cleaner, then you are permitted to clean it up. Spray bottles of Rescue (accelerated hydrogen peroxide) and washcloths or hand towels are located for volunteer use in the vestibule of Big and Small Adoption.
Volunteers are required to clean up after themselves and the dogs in their control in areas outside the kennels.
If I notice a particular dog is no longer in the adoption area (or available for adoption), do I have the right to know what happened?
We believe in being transparent in our department, so if you have a question or would like to inquire about a particular dog, please ask the Community Outreach Coordinator. We ask that you respect the wishes of others and do not share sensitive information in a public manner, such as on social media.
I'm interested in an adoptable dog but would prefer to foster. Can I foster through LC4?
If you are interested in fostering and would like more information, please contact our Personalized Adoption Counselor (PAC). We have also initiated a foster to adopt program for potential adopters. The foster to adopt program lasts for 14 days (unless medically or behaviorally necessary to continue), at which time the adopter will have decided if the foster dog is a good fit in their home and complete the adoption or return the dog to the shelter.
I noticed a dog was acting ill or injured while I spent time with them. Who should I tell?
It is very common for dogs living in the shelter to contract illnesses such as kennel cough, stress colitis (bloody loose stool), etc. If you notice a dog showing any symptoms of illness (watery eyes, runny nose, coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, rashes) or injury, no matter how insignificant they may seem, please scan the QR code and to report the concern.
I'm concerned that an animal in the community being neglected, abused, or abandoned. Who can I contact?
If you suspect any form of animal cruelty, you should contact the Cruelty Department at the Toledo Humane Society. They can be reached online (toledohumane.org) or through their main phone line at 419-891-0705.
What should I do if I find a stray dog?
If a citizen finds a stray dog, they can bring the dog to our building or have a canine control officer pick up the dog from their residence. Our canine control officers are on the road Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are available to our local law enforcement agencies after hours for dog-related emergencies. If the dog is wearing a collar with a valid Lucas County dog license, our animal control officers and office staff can search the dog license database to find the owner's information. All dogs are scanned for a microchip upon their arrival at our shelter.
I found a stray dog, but I want to keep it.
All found dogs must be reported to our department, but a citizen is able to keep the dogs for a 14-day stray hold period if they have provided the appropriate and necessary description including size, breed, color, sex, and cross streets where the dog was found, along with a good photograph of the dog. You must also provide your contact information, so we are able to reunite the owner with the dog in your care. If the dog is still unclaimed after 14 days, you can purchase a license and keep the dog. We require that the dog is brought to our building to be scanned for a microchip to ensure there is no form of identification that is left unrecognized. If an owner claims the dog, our department will contact you to arrange an appropriate method of reuniting the dog with their caretaker.
My dog is lost. Where should I go to look for him?
If you are missing your dog, you should visit our department for a walk through our kennels. A staff member will accompany you through the building so you can see if your dog is in our care. All the dogs in our possession are listed on PetHarbor, which can be accessed through our website, lucascountydogs.com, but to avoid any confusion regarding breed or color, we strongly recommend that you come to the shelter in person. We also recommend creating lost dog flyers to hang in your community, giving a description to your mail delivery person, utilizing social media (specifically Facebook), and contacting media outlets.
How do I reclaim my dog?
Since our canine control officers enforce state laws through the Ohio Revised Code, there are necessary fines to pay if your dog is brought into our building. There are initial fees associated with the intake of your dog, in addition to boarding fees that accumulate daily. If your dog does not have a current Lucas County Dog License you are required to purchase a license and pay any late fees before your dog leaves the building.
What happens to a dog after it is brought into the shelter as a stray?
If a stray dog does not have any form of identification such as a license, identification tag, or microchip, they are placed on a 72-hour stray hold. If a stray dog is wearing a current Lucas County Dog License, they are placed on a 14-day stray hold period to allow our staff to properly contact the caretaker the dog is licensed to. If a dog has a registered microchip, we will make every effort to contact the caretaker to notify them. After the stray hold period is up, a dog becomes the property of Lucas County Canine Care & Control, and our staff can move forward in determining their adoptability through behavior testing and medical evaluations.
How does LC4 differ from the Toledo Humane Society?
Lucas County Canine Care & Control is a municipal animal control facility (government agency) that only handles dogs. As compared to a 501(c)3 charitable organization, we are primarily funded through the sale of dog licenses and are not considered a nonprofit organization. Our canine control officers enforce the Ohio Revised Code and do not have the authority to remove a dog from their guardian. We cannot legally investigate animal cruelty but do report any complaints to the proper authorities. If we see a dog that is in distress, we will act appropriately to help the dog.
What is Cutie's Fund and how does it help dogs at LC4?
Cutie's Fund is dedicated to raising support for the medical treatment of injured and ill dogs in Lucas County. The fund pays for medical care provided by the veterinary staff at the Canine Care Center and for emergency treatment and/or hospitalization in an off-site veterinary hospital. Donations can be made through cash, a check payable to Lucas County Canine Care & Control, or on our website.
How do I meet a dog that I am interested in adopting?
Our adoptable dogs are visible through our website, lucascountydogs.com. There you can view a photo and a brief description of their age, breed, and temperament. Dogs can be met in person during our adoption hours, which are Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We ask that all family members, especially children and resident dogs, are present for the meet and greet.