Benzie County is in western Michigan, along the shore of Lake Michigan. It is a rural county with lots of parks and trails, and has a population of about 16,000 people. The county has the distinction of being the smallest in Michigan in land area, and it has a correspondingly small animal shelter.
Benzie County Animal Control provides both animal control and sheltering services for the county. It accepts owner surrenders for a small fee. A non-profit, the Animal Welfare League of Benzie County, has spay-neuter and education programs and provides medical care for injured animals.
In 2013 the county took in 419 animals. The great majority of them were returned to owner or adopted. The live release rate for the year was 98% (scroll down to “Benzie County” in the link).
Benzie County has done well for several years, but 2013 showed an improvement. In 2009, the shelter took in 538 animals and had an 80% live release rate. In 2010, it took in 381 animals and improved to a live release rate of 93%. In 2011, the live release rate was 92% with an intake of 428 cats and dogs. Intake was 359 in 2012, with a live release rate of 92%.
Benzie County, MI, was originally listed by this blog on June 1, 2013, based on its 2012 statistics. This post is a revision and update with 2013 statistics.