Animal Shelter Programs

Cascades Humane Society exists for more than adoptions. Our community programs help Jackson County residents keep their pets, manage stray populations, and access the support they need — no judgment, no complicated process, just help when it matters. More than 5,000 animals are helped every year through our shelter and programs combined.

Free and Low-Cost Pet Services for Jackson County Residents

Five Programs Built Around the Pets Already in Your Home

Many of the animals CHS helps each year never set foot in our shelter — they're pets already living with Jackson County families who needed a little support to keep them. Whether you're facing financial hardship, dealing with a stray population in your neighborhood, or just looking for somewhere to let your dog run, there's a program here for you.

Spay & Neuter Assistance Program

Low-cost spay and neuter services to income-qualifying Jackson County pet owners — addressing unplanned litters at the source while helping families care responsibly for the pets they have.

Pet Food Pantry

Distributes free pet food to Jackson County residents on the first Saturday of every month, ensuring that the cost of feeding a pet is never the reason a family has to say goodbye.

Forgotten Felines

Forgotten Felines uses Trap-Neuter-Return to humanely reduce feral and free-roaming cat populations in Jackson County neighborhoods — the most effective long-term solution to the stray cat problem.

Lost & Found

Lost & Found resources give Jackson County residents a clear starting point when a pet goes missing — what to do in the first 24 hours, where to report, and how to search effectively.

Paw Playground

The Paw Playground is a free, public off-leash dog park on the CHS property at 1515 Carmen Drive, open to the public seven days a week from dawn to dusk with no membership or reservation required.

These Programs Run on Community Support

Zero Government Funding Means Every Dollar Goes Directly to Work

CHS receives no government funding — not for our shelter, and not for any of the programs on this page. SNAP, the Pet Food Pantry, Forgotten Felines, and everything else we offer to Jackson County residents is sustained entirely by donors and supporters in this community. We hold a 4-star Charity Navigator rating with a 93% accountability score, which means when you give to CHS, you can see exactly where it goes. If these programs matter to you, a contribution keeps them running for the next family who needs them.

Common Questions About CHS Programs

What People Ask Before They Reach Out

  • What programs does Cascades Humane Society offer?

    CHS runs five community programs open to Jackson County residents: the Spay & Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP), the Pet Food Pantry, Forgotten Felines, Lost & Found resources, and the Paw Playground. Each program is free or low-cost and designed to support the pets and people in our community. Most require nothing more than a phone call or a visit to get started. You can learn more about each program individually through the links on this page.

  • Are there free pet services available in Jackson, Michigan?

    Yes. CHS offers free pet food through the Pet Food Pantry on the first Saturday of every month, free Lost & Found resources for anyone who has lost or found a pet in Jackson County, and free daily access to the Paw Playground off-leash dog park. SNAP provides low-cost — not free — spay and neuter services for income-qualifying residents, with fees significantly reduced from standard veterinary rates. All programs are available to Jackson County residents without a complicated intake process.

  • How do I get help with pet costs in Jackson County?

    Call CHS at (517) 787-7387 or visit us at 1515 Carmen Drive, Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 to 6:00 PM. Our team will point you to the right program based on what you need — whether that's food assistance, low-cost spay/neuter, or something else entirely. There's no judgment and no paperwork maze. If you need it and we have it, we'll connect you to it.

  • Do I need to qualify or apply for CHS community programs?

    Most programs require only that you live in Jackson County. SNAP has income-based eligibility requirements, and space may be limited depending on availability. The Pet Food Pantry, Paw Playground, and Lost & Found resources are open to all Jackson County residents without an application or prior approval. If you're unsure whether you qualify for a specific program, a quick call to our team at (517) 787-7387 will get you an answer.

  • How is CHS able to offer free and low-cost programs with no government funding?

    Every program CHS offers is funded entirely by individual donors, business sponsors, and community supporters in Jackson County. We hold a 4-star Charity Navigator rating with a 93% accountability score, which reflects how seriously we take the responsibility of managing what this community gives us. Because we accept no government dollars, the community that funds us also directs us — and that's exactly the arrangement we want. If you'd like to help keep these programs running, visit our Give page to learn how.