About the Humane Society of Jefferson County

The Humane Society of Jefferson County is best described as an “open admission” shelter. We take in all animals regardless of factors affecting adoptability including age, health and temperament. We never turn away a stray animal from a contracted municipality.  Animals who are severely injured or have a serious disease from which they cannot recover may be euthanized if it is the most humane option to end their suffering.  Animals who are aggressive to the point of posing a serious threat to humans may also be euthanized.  The decision to euthanize is always heartbreaking and is never made lightly.  Fortunately, it is not a decision we are often called upon to make.  The vast majority of our animals stay with us until they are placed in good homes, with no time limit on how long they may remain at the shelter before being adopted.

No. The shelter receives no county or other government funding. We are a private, non-profit organization funded by our contracts with individual municipalities for stray animal pick-up, donations, bequests and fundraising events.

Visit the “Adopt” section of our website to see our available pets and fill out an application. The application approval process takes about 1-3 business days, if information on the application is complete and your landlord can be contacted.

Yes. In 2005 we made the financial commitment to spay and neuter dogs, cats and rabbits before adoption.

Yes! The shelter has many opportunities to volunteer both in the shelter and at outside events. Please visit the “Volunteer” section on this website for more information.

There is no time limit or “ticking clock” for any of our animals. As long as an animal is happy and healthy the animal will stay until it finds a home. While most animals are adopted fairly soon after becoming available, some stay with us for many months before finding a home.  A few have been with us for a year or more before being adopted, and we are very pleased that we can provide a long-term sanctuary for animals who may need some extra time to find  loving homes.

At the present time, we do not have the resources to spay/neuter any owned pets. Spay and neuter surgery is performed only on our adoptable animals by HSJC veterinarians Dr. Kellie Kuzdas, DVM and Dr. Linda Teeter, DVM. However, we do occasionally host mobile spay/neuter clinics provided by other organizations. These clinics are listed on our “Events” page as well as advertised on our social media.

As long as we are able to verify all the necessary information from your application, we will adopt animals to individuals who live in other counties or states.