Lucas County Canine Care & Control

Lucas County Canine Care & Control You can also view our adoptable dogs at www.lucascountydogs.com We handle about 300 dogs monthly.
(867)

Lucas County Canine Care & Control handles stray and homeless dogs and enforces dog laws in Lucas County, which is in northwest Ohio, including the City of Toledo. We have a staff of 32 people, including our Director, the Office Manager, the Kennel Supervisor, the Community Engagement Manager, the Community Outreach Coordinator, six Canine Control Officers, three Front Desk Clerks, two Dispatchers

, the Personalized Adoption Counselor, ten Canine Care Technicians, one Veterinarian, two Veterinary Technicians, one Veterinary Assistant, the Behavior and Enrichment Coordinator, and the Canine Care Attendant. Our department is funded primarily through the purchase of dog licenses. Your dog license purchase not only helps to protect your dog, but also helps us care for homeless and stray dogs, protect the community from loose and dangerous dogs, and help reunite lost dogs and their owners.

Meet Hoagie! This sweetie guy pretty much grew up in the shelter (he’s only 8 months old!), but for the past month, he’s...
06/24/2025

Meet Hoagie!

This sweetie guy pretty much grew up in the shelter (he’s only 8 months old!), but for the past month, he’s been living that foster home life and we’ve learned he is an expert-level cuddler and a professional emotional support buddy.

Hoagie is incredibly affectionate and thrives on contact. Personal space? Never heard of her. He wants to be touching you at all times, ideally while making puppy dog eyes at you and sighing contentedly.

Not surprisingly he’s also the ultimate cheerleader—he loves watching sports and is fully prepared to attend every game, match, or tournament you’re a part of. He’s good with other dogs, kind to cats, and adores kids.

When he’s not glued to your side, he’s busy being playful, curious, and absolutely adorable. He’s quiet in his crate, working on potty training, and is respectful around new people.

Hoagie is ready to find his person (or people)—whether that’s through adoption, foster-to-adopt, or stepping up as a foster ambassador. One thing’s for sure: this clingy love is ready to be your little spoon forever!

How did y’all beat the heat this weekend?Our shelter dogs dove into summer with some early morning splashy pool parties ...
06/23/2025

How did y’all beat the heat this weekend?

Our shelter dogs dove into summer with some early morning splashy pool parties and intense rounds of “bobbing for tennis balls” From zoomies to cannonballs, these pups knew just how to keep it cool.

The only thing missing? A forever home to splash into.

Come meet your new best friend—someone’s future pool buddy is waiting right here at the shelter! 🐾🩵

They call her a queen—Miss Adora,But her full royal name’s Theadora.She pranced with such grace,Hair floof in its place—...
06/22/2025

They call her a queen—Miss Adora,
But her full royal name’s Theadora.
She pranced with such grace,
Hair floof in its place—
Now she’s seeking a home to adore her.


Come meet Thea! She is super sweet, super cute, and super ready to find a real home!

It is about to be HOT this weekend and while summer adventures are the best, high temps & humidity can be dangerous—even...
06/20/2025

It is about to be HOT this weekend and while summer adventures are the best, high temps & humidity can be dangerous—even deadly—for dogs. Here’s how to keep your pup safe when the mercury rises:

NO hot cars. EVER.
Even with the windows cracked, cars become ovens within minutes. Your quick errand could cost your dog their life and land you in jail. If you can’t bring them inside, leave them at home!

Watch the thermometer!
Once it hits 75-80°F, the risk of heatstroke starts climbing fast, especially for flat-faced breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, Bostons, Shih Tzu’s), seniors, puppies, or overweight dogs. When in doubt—opt out of long walks or romps in the yard and keep playtime inside.

Protect those toe beans!
Asphalt and pavement can hit over 120°F on sunny days. If you wouldn’t walk barefoot on it, your dog shouldn’t either. Walk in the morning or at night, stick to the grass, or grab some booties!

Hydration is everything!
Always pack extra tepid water for your dog on walks, hikes, or car rides. Bonus points for collapsible bowls and shady pit stops!

Water safety matters!
Not all dogs are natural swimmers. When boating or around deep water, always use a properly fitted canine life vest and keep a close eye on your pup. Don’t let them drink from pools or lakes—they can contain harmful bacteria or chemicals, and drinking too much water can even lead to water intoxication (hyponatremia), a dangerous condition that causes lethargy, weakness, ataxia, seizures, and even swelling in the brain!

Know the signs of heatstroke!
Lethargy, heavy panting, drooling, red gums, vomiting, wobbliness. If you notice these, act fast: get to shade, offer water, and seek emergency vet care asap.

This is going to be an awesome summer. Let’s make sure it is fun and safe for every pup!

☀️ Helloooooooo first day of summer!☀️The patios are hoppin’, the Metroparks are calling, and the only thing missing? A ...
06/20/2025

☀️ Helloooooooo first day of summer!☀️

The patios are hoppin’, the Metroparks are calling, and the only thing missing? A dog riding shotgun!

Our adoptable pups are ready for:
✔️ Strolling the trails at Wildwood 🌳
✔️ Watching the parade during Jeepfest 🛞
✔️ Crashing your neighborhood’s annual block party like it’s their job 🥳
✔️ Posing for pics riverside at Middlegrounds 📸
✔️ Sharing your hot dog at Hens & Hounds 🌭
✔️ Looking cooler in sunglasses than you do 😎

So before you sweat through another summer without a pup…
swing by the shelter, meet your new BFF, & let your adventures begin!

Summer is sooo much COOLER with a shelter dog.
(And let’s be real—ours are the coolest 😏😉)

Charm is- for lack of a better pun- quite the charmer! Everyone who meets him falls in love which is why it’s such a hea...
06/17/2025

Charm is- for lack of a better pun- quite the charmer! Everyone who meets him falls in love which is why it’s such a head scratcher that he hasn’t found a family yet!

It’s Monday! It’s feeling like a very MONDAY Monday today.Thankfully we’ve got just the thing to turn it around: a new b...
06/16/2025

It’s Monday! It’s feeling like a very MONDAY Monday today.

Thankfully we’ve got just the thing to turn it around: a new best friend! We have so many amazing dogs—puppies, youngsters, seniors, short stacks, and long boys. Athletes, couch potatoes, adventurers, and homebodies. Some have been with us a while, others we’re just getting to know.

These 10 cuties are some of our longer-stay dogs, and they’d love nothing more than to finally find their people. Take a look, fall in love, and maybe—just maybe—change a life this week (yours included).

We’re open from 11am to 5:30pm today for adoption and fostering. Stop on by and say hi!

06/14/2025

Yesterday might have been Friday the 13th but it was anything but unlucky for some of our dogs!

Longstay loves Bruh & Alvarez finally met their people and Brownie found a duo who love her overbite as much as we do. June, Wakeboard, Fleur, and Bellini all found their forever as well. What a fantastic day! Congratulations everyone💙💛

Today might be a little gloomy but the shelter is full of wagging little rays of sunshine. Stop by during our adoption hours (11am to 4:30pm) and take home some vitamin D…ya know…D like dog! Get
it? 😜 🤣

06/12/2025

**ADOPTED!!!**

239 days.
239 breakfasts alone.
239 lonely nights.
239 times he’s hoped today’s the day. 🌟

🎃 Halloween
🦃 Thanksgiving
🎄 Christmas
🎉 New Year’s
💘 Valentine’s Day
🍀 St. Patrick’s Day
🐣 Easter
🌸 Mother’s Day
🇺🇸 Memorial Day

Alvarez has spent every single one of these holidays without a family to celebrate with.

He’s worn multiple “adopt me” scarves, and his very best smile—every day. He’s been to events, met lots of new people, taught kids about dog safety, went on field trips, learned how to catch, cuddled with staff & volunteers, made trips through the drive thru, and made tons of dog friends. He is sweet, playful, cuddly, adorable…but still… no one has chosen him.

Alvarez is the total package:
✔️ Friendly with people
✔️ Great with other dogs
✔️ Knows basic commands (his name, sit, & shake)
✔️ Happy-go-lucky and affectionate
✔️ Keeps a clean kennel
✔️ Ready to go home TODAY

If you’re looking for pure love & joy wrapped in soft fur and freckles, Alvarez is your guy. Give him the life he’s been waiting for—through every season, he’s kept his heart wide open. Now he’s hoping you’ll give him a chance to find a spot in yours.

Come meet Alvarez during our adoption hours: Monday - Friday 11am to 5:30pm Saturday & Sunday 11am to 4:30pm

If you can’t adopt please please share his story—his family is out there we just have to find them!

Our community pets need your help! Our pet food pantry shelves are pretty darn bare. Can you assist with filling them ba...
06/09/2025

Our community pets need your help! Our pet food pantry shelves are pretty darn bare. Can you assist with filling them back up?

We have an Amazon wishlist specifically for pantry donations, but we do have a pretty good supply of puppy, cat food, and small bites (kibble for small dogs) so we are all set for them. Any type, brand, and flavor of dry food is always very appreciated though!

Thank you so much for the support you always show to us, our dogs, and our community! Without your generosity some of our pantry pups would have found themselves at the shelter instead of home with their families where they belong

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3K9UM9K4KYBSG/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

Some dogs are majestic. Some are noble. And then there’s this delightful little disaster, who’s got the face of a melted...
06/09/2025

Some dogs are majestic. Some are noble. And then there’s this delightful little disaster, who’s got the face of a melted Muppet and the heart of a Hallmark movie grandma.

This is Brownie. We love her. 10/10 have smooched and would smooch again.

If a dog was designed by a toddler using Play-Doh and boundless optimism, this would be her. And we love her for it.

This is what happens when a gremlin wishes really really hard to be a dog but the shooting star crashed a little too early. Yet. She is still perfection in our eyes.

Does Brownie look a little different from most dogs? Yes, BUT she’s also sweet and silly and loving. She’s ALWAYS smiling. Tail is always low wagging. Eyes are always soulful and warm. A big ol heart filled with unconditional love. Just waiting for someone like you to come along 😉

We open at 11am. See you then!

Happy Festival! If you see us out and about stop and say hi to Alvarez! He is looking forward to yard saleing, sampling ...
06/07/2025

Happy Festival!

If you see us out and about stop and say hi to Alvarez! He is looking forward to yard saleing, sampling all the delicious food (unfortunate for him smells are pretty much all he’s going to get lol), and hopefully meeting a family!

Address

410 S Erie Street
Toledo, OH
43604

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 6pm
Tuesday 11am - 6pm
Wednesday 11am - 6pm
Thursday 11am - 6pm
Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

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What is LC4?

Lucas County Canine Care & Control (LC4) handles stray and homeless dogs and enforces dog laws in Lucas County, which is in Northwest Ohio, including the City of Toledo. We handle on average between 300-350 dogs monthly. We have a staff of 29 people, which is made up of six Canine Control Officers, four front desk clerks, nine kennel technicians, one veterinarian, two veterinary technicians, the community outreach coordinator, a behavior technician & behavior assistant, a kennel manager, an office manager, a field supervisor, and our director. Our department is funded primarily through the purchase of dog licenses. Your dog license purchase not only helps to protect your dog, but also helps us care for homeless and stray dogs, protect the community from loose and dangerous dogs, and help reunite lost dogs and their owners.