Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit

Friends organization was founded by volunteers who recognized that homeless animals in our community deserved a second chance at life. Building on their strong sense of animal welfare, the Friends have grown in the past 20 years to an organization of great reputation in the animal-sheltering industry. Small in comparison to other facilities in physical size, the Friends have a broad influence.

The Friends For Animals of Metro Detroit (the Friends or FAMD, formerly know as Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter) was formed as a private, nonprofit organization in 1993 by a small group of people.

Prior to our involvement, the shelter was run as a "pound" and animals were sold for $5 without adoption screening. We worked closely with the mayor and the chief of police and in 1995 submitted a proposal to the city to actually run the shelter. In July of 1996, we took over.

All animals adopted from our shelter are fully vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and are microchipped. We participate in over 100 community outreach programs including low cost spay/neuter clinics, off-site adoptions, and city events. We care for 2,800 animals a year at the shelter and are grateful for our 342 active volunteers.

Although we receive a subsidy from the city, we are dependent upon donations and fund-raisers for the majority of our operational costs.