Veterinary Resources
Grand Rapids Pit Bull Alliance understands that accessing affordable veterinary care can be challenging. We aim to connect pet owners with resources to ensure their pets receive the care they need.
Emergency Veterinary Clinics: If your pet has a medical emergency, please contact one of the local 24/7 clinics listed.
Financial Assistance for Emergency Care: We know emergency vet care can be costly. We can connect you with organizations that may offer financial assistance.
These include Care Credit, Scratch Pay, RedRover Relief, The Pet Fund, and Waggle.
GRPBA Limited Financial Assistance: We may have limited funding options available for urgent, life-threatening veterinary cases. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis and requires applying for and being denied by Care Credit and Scratch Pay first. Consistent communication and providing necessary information will be required if assistance is provided, and recipients may be asked to volunteer. Please note that GRPBA may put a hold on veterinary assistance when funds are low.
Emergency Vet Options
Animal Emergency and Specialty Hospital of Grand Rapids (Plainfield Ave)
Phone: (616) 361-9911
Address: 3260 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Hours: Open 24/7
Services: Emergency and critical care services for pets, collaborating with local veterinarians to ensure comprehensive treatment.
Animal Emergency & Specialty Hospital – Byron Center
Phone: (616) 537-1402
Address: 6820 Edgeview Ave SW, Byron Center, MI 49315
Hours: Open 24/7
Services: State-of-the-art facility offering emergency and specialty veterinary care.
BluePearl Pet Hospital – Grand Rapids
Phone: (616) 284-5300
Address: 2500 East Paris Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Hours: Open 24/7 for emergency services
Services: Provides 24/7 emergency and specialty veterinary services with advanced medical technology and a team of experienced specialists.
Urgent Care Options
Family Friends Veterinary Hospital
Phone: (616) 575-6520
Address: 6555 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Services: Full-service veterinary hospital offering urgent care, wellness exams, dental care, reproductive services, and more. Same-day and walk-in appointments are available for both new and existing clients.
Cascade Hospital for Animals
Phone: (616) 949-0960
Address: 6730 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Services: AAHA-accredited facility providing urgent care, surgery, dental services, grooming, training, and veterinary rehabilitation.
Lovet Pet Health Care – Standale
Phone: (616) 226-8483
Address: 4290 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534
Services: Offers urgent, preventative, dental, and surgical care with flexible scheduling, including same-day and walk-in appointments.
Other Resources
Other Pet Food Pantries in the West Michigan Area
If you’re facing challenges feeding your pets, and our program is not the right fit, there are several other local organizations who offer pet food assistance to help keep your furry family members healthy and at home:
Pleasant Hearts Pet Food Pantry
Location: 1035 Godfrey Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Website: pleasantheartspetfoodpantry.org
Email: info@pleasantheartspetfoodpantry.org
Phone: (231) 329-4685
Pleasant Hearts is a volunteer-driven, donation-based nonprofit dedicated to helping pet owners experiencing financial hardship. They provide pet food and supplies to existing pet families in need. Distributions occur every other Saturday; check their schedule for upcoming dates. New clients can register online or in person.
Kibble Konnection – Humane Society of West Michigan
Location: 3077 Wilson Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534
Website: hswestmi.org/kibble-konnection.html
Email: adoptions@hswestmi.org
Phone: (616) 453-8900
Kibble Konnection is a pet food bank program assisting low-income pet owners in providing food for their pets. To qualify, pet owners must provide documentation of low-income status, and all pets must be spayed or neutered (with some medical exceptions). Emergency food assistance is available during open adoption hours.
Harbor Humane Society Pet Food Pantry
Location: 100 Aniline N, Holland, MI 49424
Website: harborhumane.org/resources
Email: office@harborhumane.org
Phone: (616) 399-2119
Harbor Humane Society offers a monthly pet food pantry on the second Wednesday of each month from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This service is available to low-income pet owners; proof of low-income status is required. The pantry provides pet food assistance to help keep pets in their homes.
North Kent Kibble Pet Food Bank
Location: 1633 10 Mile Rd NW, Sparta, MI 49345
Facebook: North Kent Kibble
Email: northkentkibble@gmail.com
Phone: (616) 606-5503
North Kent Kibble provides supplemental pet food and supplies at no cost to pet parents residing in Northern Kent County. Their mission is to help ease the cost of pet ownership and keep pets out of shelters. The pantry operates every Saturday from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
Operation Solo
Location: Muskegon County, MI
Website: operationsolo.org
Email: operationsolo23@gmail.com
Operation Solo provides temporary financial assistance and essential pet supplies—including food, leashes, collars, bowls, ID tags, and toys—to dog owners in Muskegon County. Their mission is to prevent pet surrender due to financial hardship by supporting families in need. They also offer judgment-free support and education to improve the quality of care for outdoor dogs.
Local Rescues and Shelters
If you’re looking to adopt, foster, or support animal welfare in West Michigan, these local rescues and shelters are doing incredible work in our community:
Hearts of Hope Dog Rescue
Location: Muskegon County, MI
Website: rescueofhope.com
Email: rescueofhope@gmail.com
Phone: (616) 366-8455
A foster-based nonprofit in Grand Rapids, Hearts of Hope is dedicated to rescuing homeless dogs and placing them in loving, permanent homes. They’ve helped over 2,000 dogs since 2011.
Tail Waggers Pet Rescue
Location: 4645 Canal Ave SW, Grandville, MI 49418
Website: tailwaggerspetrescue.com
Phone: (616) 279-5332
Tail Waggers is a nonprofit rescue that saves dogs and cats from euthanasia and places them in vetted, loving homes. They serve the greater Grand Rapids area.
Pound Buddies Animal Shelter & Adoption Center
Location: 3279 E Laketon Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442
Website: poundbuddies.org
Phone: (231) 724-6500
Muskegon County’s largest animal shelter, Pound Buddies cares for homeless dogs and cats, offering adoption and lost-and-found services.
Humane Society of West Michigan
Location: 3077 Wilson Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534
Website: hswestmi.org
Phone: (616) 453-8900
A well-established nonprofit offering pet adoptions, education, and community outreach. They also provide spay/neuter and vaccination services.
Kent County Animal Shelter
Location: 740 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Website: kentcountymi.gov/1415/Animal-Shelter
Phone: (616) 632-7300
The county’s official shelter provides care for lost, unwanted, and abused animals, with adoption and licensing services.
LuvnPupz
Location: Wyoming, MI 49548
Website: luvnpupz.org
Email: carri@luvnpupz.org
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit specializing in rescuing dogs, puppies, pregnant dogs, and bottle-fed puppies, including those with special medical needs.
West Michigan Critter Haven
Website: wmicritterhaven.org
A volunteer-run nonprofit and chapter of the House Rabbit Society, rescuing rabbits, small animals, and exotics while promoting responsible care and adoption.
Other Useful Resources
In addition to pet food support, there are other wonderful organizations that offer education, advocacy, and resources for pet families:
DogAide
Website: dogaide.com
DogAide is a Detroit-based nonprofit dedicated to keeping pets in their homes by assisting low-income families with food, supplies, and basic veterinary care. While based in Southeast Michigan, they also provide educational tools, support programs, and advocacy resources that can be helpful to pet guardians throughout the state.
Behavior and Training Resources
At Grand Rapids Pit Bull Alliance, we wholeheartedly support positive reinforcement training as the most humane, effective, and scientifically supported approach to teaching and behavior modification. We believe in building trust, respect, and clear communication between pets and their people. The trainers and resources listed below share our commitment to reward-based methods that help dogs thrive—especially those who may have experienced trauma, uncertainty, or discrimination. Whether you’re just getting started or navigating a specific behavior challenge, compassionate support is available.
If you’re seeking expert support to help your dog thrive—whether you’re dealing with reactivity, anxiety, or simply building a strong foundation—these local professionals offer compassionate, science-based training solutions:
A Dog’s Life GR
Location: 3100 29th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Website: adogslifegr.com
Email: info@adogslifegr.com
Phone: (616) 676-7551
Led by Kristie Swan, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), A Dog’s Life GR offers a variety of training options for dogs of all ages, including group classes, private lessons, and concierge services. Their programs are designed to create success at both ends of the leash, utilizing positive reinforcement techniques.
Playing Fur Keeps
Website: playingfurkeeps.com
Email: playingfurkeeps@gmail.com
Phone: (616) 550-3899
Owned by Casey Dekam, an ABC-Certified Dog Trainer, Playing Fur Keeps provides in-home, group, and online training programs tailored to each dog’s unique needs. Specializing in behavior modification, they focus on positive reinforcement and proper leadership to address issues like anxiety, reactivity, and basic obedience.
Reactive Referral Center
Location: 4609 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Website: reactive-referral-center.com
Email: ReactiveReferralCenter@gmail.com
Phone: (616) 371-4169
The Reactive Referral Center specializes in veterinary care for reactive pets, providing tailored support for dogs and cats exhibiting challenging behaviors. Their team collaborates with referring veterinarians and trainers to develop comprehensive care plans aimed at improving the well-being of reactive animals.
Humane Society of West Michigan – Training Services
Location: 3077 Wilson Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534
Website: reactive-referral-center.com
Phone: (616) 453-8900
HSWM offers a variety of accessible training services including group classes, private sessions, and puppy socialization. Their certified trainers focus on creating strong human-animal bonds through reward-based methods.
