The Humane Society of Harrison County was incorporated on February 10, 1967, which means the organization has been serving the people and animals of Marshall and Harrison County for nearly 55 years. The Articles of Incorporation state, “The corporation is organized and shall be operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, for the prevention of cruelty to animals, the relief of suffering of animals and the extension of education in the humane care and treatment of animals.” The Humane Society has carried out these goals faithfully, based solely upon the donations, memorials, and honorings given by private individuals and groups. None of your tax dollars are used for the support of the Humane Society, and we are proud to say that 95% or more of the donations received go directly into the basic operations of the Society.
Our Volunteers
The work accomplished is largely due to the valiant efforts of several generations of volunteers. Whether taking animals to schools for educational purposes, receiving bus loads of area students for “field trips,” greeting home-school groups, hosting 4-H meetings, or many other events, EDUCATION remains the key element of our commitment to a more humane community. In our experience, animal guardians (and future guardians) are grateful for information which will make their lives with pets more healthy and rewarding.
Community Outreach
As a significant service organization for over half a century, the Humane Society is part of the COMMUNITY. No decent community wishes to have starving, beaten, or lost dogs and cats wandering the streets or found dead on the sidewalk. Our commitment to the people of Harrison County encompasses bagging pet food for Mission Marshall to distribute to
families in need, giving no-cost spay/neuter coupons to low-income pet guardians who understand the need to have their pets sterilized, and giving out doghouses, blankets, and other help as needed and available. Sometimes, people who can no longer care for pets enjoy coming to our facility The Pet Place to simply have a safe space to relax and enjoy pure acceptance, because that is the reward animals give you. If you miss the purring of a cat in your lap or the joy of walking a dog by your side, come visit us!
Our Commitment
For the approximately 400 ANIMALS a year that we take in, many are “dumped” and require extensive veterinarian care, grooming, and rehabilitation. We have had lost or damaged eyes removed, limbs amputated, and tumors excised, but each animal went to a new home where the love was hopefully abundant. Other animals come into our facility due to the death of their guardian, divorce, unemployment, or many other reasons. Some animals require weeks of careful socialization and others may wait months for that magical adopter to appear. But none are ever discarded by us. Our commitment to animals is that they WILL “survive and thrive.” Our “Senior Sweeties” donation has allowed us to meet the veterinarian needs of older animals, and just as this writing is occurring, a 10-plus year-old dog is in surgery for spaying, removal of a mammary tumor, and dental work. If she comes out of surgery in good shape, an anxious adopter is waiting to take her home. If she does not, then we want to tell ourselves and our supporters that we did everything we could for her.
“For the Long Haul”
The Humane Society is here for our community and our animals, thanks again to donors, volunteers, amazing staff, and resilient animals we work with. With your help we plan to hit the century mark, because we are in it “for the long haul”.
The Humane Society of Harrison County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.
Join the HSHC community by becoming a member!
All donations go towards the caring of our furry friends and are tax-deductible.