Mission and Vision
Vision
A Detroit where people and pets thrive together
Mission
Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control (FoDACC) is a community-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of Detroit’s animals and supporting the people who love and care for them.
We proudly collaborate with, but operate independently from, Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC) and community partners to save lives, strengthen the human-animal bond, and build a more compassionate city for pets and people alike.
Our mission focuses on three key goals:
Keeping pets out of the shelter by helping Detroit residents access free spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchips, and pet food, and by developing a citywide Pet Resource Center to educate pet owners and support responsible and fulfilling pet care.
Supporting shelter animals by providing supplemental resources and bridging the gap so that animals at DACC receive quality care and compassion.
Helping network adoptable pets so they can find homes through adoptions, foster programs, and partnerships with rescue organizations.
Through collaboration, compassion, and community engagement, FoDACC is creating a Detroit where pets and people thrive together, building stronger bonds and healthier neighborhoods, and increasing human-animal well-being.
Keeping Pets Out of the Shelter
We believe the best place for a pet is at home with the people who love them. That’s why we work to reduce shelter intake by helping Detroit residents access essential services such as free spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchips, and pet food. These supports remove barriers that often lead families to surrender their pets, especially during times of financial hardship. We are also developing a citywide Pet Resource Center to provide education, coaching, and hands-on support for responsible and fulfilling pet care. By investing in people and pets together, we keep families whole and build a stronger, healthier community for all Detroiters—two- and four-legged alike.
Supporting Animals in the Shelter
For the dogs and cats who do enter DACC, our goal is to ensure they receive the best possible care while they wait for loving homes. FoDACC bridges critical gaps by supplying enrichment, medical support, equipment, and hands-on volunteer engagement that enhance the animals’ comfort, health, and emotional well-being. From toys and treats to specialized medical equipment to safe play yards that encourage exercise and socialization, we provide the supplemental resources DACC needs but cannot always fund. Every act of support—from a warm blanket to a dedicated volunteer walker—helps shelter pets feel safe, valued, and ready for their next chapter.
Helping Pets Find Loving Homes
Finding homes for Detroit’s adoptable pets is at the heart of what we do. We work tirelessly to promote dogs and cats through adoption events, social media outreach, storytelling, photography, shelter breaks like Detroit Dogventures and Slumber Parties, and strong partnerships with rescue organizations. These networks help pets reach new audiences, reduce their length of stay, and increase their chances of finding the right match. Together with our rescue and community partners, we champion every pet’s journey from the shelter to a safe, loving home—because every Detroit animal deserves that chance.
