Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control

What Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control does

Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control (FoDACC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2019 and headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. The organization exists to support the daily operations of Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC), the city's municipal animal shelter, by managing volunteers, channeling donations, and driving live-release outcomes. FoDACC operates independently from DACC and is funded exclusively by donations, receiving no money from the City of Detroit; its sole disclosed institutional grants are $10,000 and $3,000 from Maddie's Fund in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

FoDACC's core programs include animal adoption services (1,144 adoptions in 2025), a foster program, Detroit Dogventures shelter-break outings (1,211 dog outings in 2025), free spay/neuter through the Project GRACE partnership with Dog Aide and Bark Nation, and the Fix the Future program with BISSELL Pet Foundation (921 surgeries in 2025). The organization is 100% volunteer-operated, with 15,900 volunteer hours logged in 2025 (equivalent to roughly 7 full-time employees), and distributes animals through a network of more than 100 transfer partner rescues. Educational and community programming includes Storytime with Shelter Dogs at Detroit Public Library branches, Detroit Pet People monthly conversations, free vaccine clinics, and pet care resource hubs.

The business model is donation-funded with no pricing on core services; adopted animals are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and equipped with collar/leash/harness at no additional cost. Distribution combines direct shelter operations, offsite adoption events at PetSmart and Pet Supplies Plus locations, and revenue diversification through corporate matching gifts, payroll giving, a merchandise shop, and event-based fundraisers with partners including the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Shipping Company. DACC recorded 7,665 animal intakes and a 65.5% live release rate in 2025, with 1,375 animals reunited with owners.

Name

Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control

Legal name

Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control

Website

https://friendsofdacc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control (FoDACC) is a Detroit-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the city's municipal animal shelter through volunteer management, donations, adoption, foster, spay/neuter, and community education programs for Detroit pet owners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Foster & Volunteer Network Programs (BPAGAIAF), Education & Community Outreach (Responsible Pet Ownership) (BPAGAIAK), Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC)

Keywords

• Animal shelter support
• Pet adoption services
• Animal welfare nonprofit
• Foster care programs
• Spay and neuter services

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations: 100% volunteer-operated nonprofit funded exclusively by donations. Receives no funding from the City of Detroit. Donations support collars, leashes, harnesses, cat boxes, toys, treats, heartworm treatment, training sessions, daily enrichment, vaccines, microchips, spay/neuter surgeries, and pet food for community members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control (FoDACC) is a community-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the municipal Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC) shelter through volunteer management, fundraising, and live-release programs. Its core offerings are animal adoption services, a foster program, free spay/neuter surgeries via Project GRACE and BISSELL Pet Foundation partnerships, the Detroit Dogventures shelter-break enrichment program, and community education events. The organization is 100% volunteer-operated and funded exclusively through private donations, receiving no money from the City of Detroit.

Product overview

Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control (FoDACC) operates as a community-driven nonprofit organization supporting Detroit Animal Care and Control through a portfolio of programs and services. The core offerings include animal adoption services, foster care programs, and volunteer management. Key programs include Detroit Dogventures (shelter breaks), offsite adoption events at retail partners like PetSmart and Pet Supplies Plus, Storytime with Shelter Dogs library programs, and Detroit Pet People community conversations. Supporting services include free spay/neuter through Project GRACE, pet care educational resources, enrichment kits, and a merchandise shop. The organization is 100% volunteer-operated and funded exclusively through donations, offering giving programs including matching gifts and payroll giving. FoDACC provides animals spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, with collar, leash, harness and goody bags to adopters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Animal Adoption Services Facilitates adoption of dogs and cats from Detroit Animal Care and Control. Every adopted animal is spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and goes home with a collar, leash, harness, and goody bag. Available for individual adopters in Metro Detroit.
• Foster Program Temporary foster care program that places shelter dogs and cats in volunteer homes while they await adoption or during periods of shelter overcrowding. Includes standard placements and short-term Pajama Party weekend fosters.
• Free Spay/Neuter Services Provides free spay and neuter surgeries for owned dogs in Detroit via the Project GRACE partnership and BISSELL Pet Foundation's Fix the Future events. Open to all Detroit dog owners regardless of income or breed.
• Volunteer Program In-shelter and offsite volunteer opportunities including dog walking, cat care, adoption counseling, laundry, dishes, and enrichment. Also offers remote volunteering. Contributed 15,900 hours in 2025, equivalent to 7 full-time employees.
• Detroit Dogventures (Shelter Breaks) Program that lets volunteers take shelter dogs out for day trips, providing enrichment outside the kennel and increasing visibility to potential adopters. 1,211 dogs participated in 2025.
• Detroit Pet People Community Conversations Monthly in-person community conversation series for Detroit pet owners and aspiring owners, providing pet-care knowledge, free pet food, and connections to spay/neuter and other resources.
• Storytime with Shelter Dogs Library-based program where children read to shelter dogs at Detroit Public Library branches (Edison, Lincoln, Chase, Main), building reading confidence while providing enrichment for the animals.
• Offsite Adoption Events and Furry Thursday Evening Hours Adoption events held at PetSmart (Chesterfield, Troy), Pet Supplies Plus (Grosse Pointe, Utica), and other Metro Detroit retail partners, plus monthly Furry Thursday evening adoption hours at DACC to reach working adopters.
• Branded Merchandise Shop Online shop selling FoDACC-branded merchandise, with proceeds supporting shelter operations and animal care programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 65.5% live release rate in 2025 (1,144 adoptions, 2,351 transfers, 1,375 returns to owner)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BISSELL Pet FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Partnership for Fix the Future spay/neuter events and #EmptyTheShelters adoption events with waived adoption fees. BISSELL Pet Foundation sponsors veterinarians for free spay/neuter surgeries in Detroit.
• Blue Star Service DogsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership to rescue DACC dogs and train them as service dogs for veterans. Six DACC dogs have been accepted into the program in the last six months of 2025.
• Michigan Animal Welfare FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Bowl 4 Animal Rescue (B4AR) annual pledge drive beneficiary. FoDACC participates as a team raising funds for play yards and paw-safe walkway.
• Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoDACC operates independently from but collaborates closely with DACC. Supports daily operations in volunteer management, donations, and live release initiatives. DACC is the municipal shelter at 1431 East Ferry St, Detroit, MI 48211.
• Project GRACE (Dog Aide and Bark Nation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLife-saving collaborative initiative between Dog Aide and Bark Nation providing free spay and neuter services for owned dogs in Detroit. No income or breed restrictions. FoDACC is proud to partner with this program.
• Michigan HumaneminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorContact for animal surrenders in Detroit (outside DACC return policies). Serves as alternative intake option for owner surrenders.
• Pet Supplies PluscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost adoption events and promotions including Glow Up spa day sessions, Best Adoption Event Ever at Meadow Brook, and ongoing weekend adoption events at multiple locations.
• Detroit Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Storytime with Shelter Dogs programs at multiple branches (Edison, Lincoln, Chase, Main). Also hosts Pet Protectors Program for Kids and community educational sessions. Detroit Pet People community conversations held at library branches.
• YogaSix Royal OakminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Downward Dogs yoga events with adoptable dogs at Detroit Shipping Co. Portion of proceeds benefit FoDACC.
• Transfer Partners (100+)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of over 100 rescue and shelter partners who transfer animals from DACC. Record high of 2,049 transfers in 2024 and 2,351 transfers in 2025.
• PetSmartcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost regular adoption events at Chesterfield and Troy PetSmart locations. Same-day adoptions available at events.
• Detroit PistonsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPaws & Pistons game night fundraiser at Little Caesars Arena. Ticket purchases include donation to FoDACC.
• Detroit Shipping CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost The Bark Yard fundraising and adoption events. Portion of bar sales donated to support FoDACC programs.
• Honest John'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHappy Hour adoption events and donation drives. Raffles with sponsors including Casamigos, Detroit Optimist Society, Casamara Club, Bacardi.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/friendsofdacc
• Instagraminstagram.com/friendsofdacc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friends-of-detroit-animal-care-and-control

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control