Listen Now

Second Chance Canine Adoption Shelter started with a dream of former Onondaga County Executive, Joanie Mahoney. Over five years ago, former County Executive Mahoney began the process of working on a large project that would bring together inmates and homeless dogs. She configured a team of community leaders that would help see this vision come to light. The brilliant idea of pairing up inmates with shelter dogs was a sure way to give second chances to both the inmates and the dogs! Upon the end of the dog's training, they are placed up for adoption. Since opening in 2015, over 400 dogs have been adopted and 140 inmates have gone through the program!

Founded in 1983, the Ohlone Humane Society is an animal welfare nonprofit that advocates for all creatures, from urban wildlife to companion animals and serves the communities of Fremont, Newark and Union City. While OHS doesn’t operate a shelter, they are one of the few humane societies to maintain a wildlife rehabilitation center which helps more than 500 sick, orphaned, and injured animals each year. OHS operates distinct programs that range from pet fostering and adoption to spay-neuter assistance to animal-assisted therapy.

Companion Animal Alliance is a nonprofit organization that was formed in 2010 to increase the save rate of animals in our community. In partnership with the EastBaton Rouge City-Parish, CAA operates the EBR Parish open-intake shelter, caring for over 8,000animals each year including cats, dogs, horses, wildlife, andexotic animals. CAA has increased the save rate of animals to 77% annually from 20% in 2011.

Good Shepherd Humane Society is a private shelter located in deep in the Arkansas Ozarks. It serves the Carroll County area, including Berryville, Green Forest, and Eureka Springs. Founded in the 70s it is the only "legacy" animal welfare organization in the area. Good Shepherd operates as a no-kill facility. They also provide low-cost spay and neuter services and are working hard on outreach and shelter diversion.

Since 1939, the Santa Fe Animal Shelter (SFAS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supported mostly through public donations, has been dedicated to its mission: support animals, save lives, and spread compassion. They are northern New Mexico's largest open-admission, no-kill shelter. SFAS focuses on accessible spay and neuter programs, creative adoption efforts, and over a dozen community programs and initiatives. Located on a 100-acre campus complete with walking trails and play yards for daily enrichment for our shelter residents, SFAS also provides to the public; single and multi-use dog parks, training classes, and the Thaw Animal Hospital, a full-service veterinary clinic that offers affordable, high-quality veterinary services. The Santa Fe Animal Shelter was built by this community, for the community – a place to find joy with the animals. Today, tomorrow and always.

The Sheridan Dog and Cat Shelter is what they like to call the "Home in Between Homes" for animals that find their way to their shelter. They are non-judgmental about surrenders because they know life can and does throw curveballs. They have an amazing facility where every dog and cat gets outdoor time everyday. They have volunteers that walk every dog everyday. They have a Senior Dog Project, A Low Cost Spay / Neuter Certificate program, and a newly established Stray to Service Program that places trained service dogs (formerly strays) into the hands of Veterans in need of a Service Dog.

Founded in 1994, the Humane Society began as a group of dedicated individuals committed to saving animal lives in Morgan County. Moving into their adoption center in 2014 has allowed the HSMC to save even more lives. The HSMC adopts more than 400 dogs and cats into loving homes every year. With their dedicated staff, caring volunteers, and the support of people like you, they hope to continue to improve the lives of animals. The Humane Society of Morgan County’s mission is to save more animal's lives by promoting adoptions of healthy, friendly companion animals obtained from overcrowded animal control facilities and owner surrenders. Their goal is to provide the highest quality care and compassion to the animals entrusted into our care until such time as they are adopted. It is also their mission to measurably reduce the pet overpopulation numbers through the promotion of spay/neuter programs and community education. In 2019 they helped 432 animals find their fur-ever homes! They have the capacity to house 80 animals and they usually stay right below capacity. They average about 36 adoptions a month and intake about 35 animals a month. They are blessed to be in such a supportive community!

Edgewater Animal Shelter serves the City of Edgewater, FL. They are 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. They take in unwanted and stray pets from the City of Edgewater and try and find loving homes for those that are able to be adopted. The shelter also provides wellness services to the public. This includes low-cost spay and neuter, vaccinations, microchips, and flea and heartworm medications with a vet exam or prescription from your veterinarian. The shelter has an in-house groomer providing a full array of grooming services available by appointment. They participate in the Edgewater, New Smyrna Beach and Oak Hill TNR programs, providing spay and neutering services to feral cats.

Champaign County Humane Society is an independent non-profit organization and the only open-admission animal shelter & pet adoption facility in Champaign County IL. They are funded entirely through charitable donations and enjoy the support of a generous community! They have many volunteers (including foster homes) who help them provide excellent quality of life to the animals in their care. In addition to providing shelter and medical care to homeless animals and finding them new homes, they are committed to addressing the causes of pet homelessness through education and outreach programs.

The Arizona Humane Society (AHS) was founded in 1957 by a small group of compassionate volunteers. Today, it is one of the largest nonprofit shelters in the country. AHS is the safety net for the Valley's most vulnerable pets - the sick, injured and abused homeless pets - many of whom are rescued by AHS' FieldRescue Team and then treated in AHS' Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital. In fact, two out of every three of the nearly 18,000 pets that AHS takes in, are treated in the trauma hospital. AHS' comprehensive medical, behavioral rehabilitation, surrender intervention, and spay/neuter initiatives saved an additional 100,000 lives over the last six years. Lifesaving programs such as the trauma hospital, Mutternity Suites, Kitten Nursery, Bottle Baby Kitten ICU and Parvo PuppyICU has saved the lives of pets routinely euthanized in shelters. In addition, AHS follows an Ethical No-Kill Philosophy and never euthanizes a pet for space or length of time in the shelter. AHS is also committed to keeping pets in homes with their loving owners through AHS' Pet Resource Center and veterinary clinics, both of which allow AHS to connect pet owners with affordable medical, behavior and support services. Of course, AHS could not care for the Valley's sick, injured and abused homeless pets without the support and collaboration of their partners, Foster Heroes, volunteers, donors and pet lovers across Maricopa County.

As Kauai's only open-intake animal welfare organization they work hand-in-hand with their community to foster respect, responsibility, and compassion for all animals. They have several programs to enrich the lives of their animals including their shelter dogs on field trips, volunteer dog walkers, cat socializers and more. The Kauai Humane Society also partners with several shelters on the mainland in their transfer program. This enables them to reach more adopters and find forever home for the animals.

LPHS is the best keep secret in Wyoming. The shelter takes in impounds, strays and surrenders and their goal is to treat them as their own until they find them homes! They have a county wide TNR program and offer county residents spay and neuter vouchers. Rescued is their favorite breed! The Laramie Peak Humane Society is committed to the health and welfare of all animals, and the active pursuit of a loving forever home for every set of paws that enters their care. Hundreds of displaced animals come through their doors each year and it takes a lot of time, rehabilitation and veterinary care to place them into new homes. With such great support from the community of Converse County and surrounding areas, their dedicated staff and terrific volunteer base, they are able to provide a safe temporary home for displaced animals in their community. Laramie Peak Humane Society is more than a traditional animal shelter. In addition to sheltering displaced pets, they offer a number of programs and services to educate, inform, and inspire people to take responsible care of their pets and to treat them with the kindness they deserve. Together, they are creating a better community for all.

Jackson Friends of the Animal Shelter is a non-profit 501(c)(3) all-volunteer animal welfare group that works in tandem with the City of Jackson (Mississippi) Animal Shelter to find permanent loving homes for the adoption animals, to enhance the quality of life for the shelter animals and to provide spay/neuter services. It's a group of volunteers who help the critters and was organized in 1995 to help the City of Jackson build a new city animal shelter. The group worked with former mayor Harvey Johnson and city leaders for years to develop the plan. The old building was located on Jefferson Street and was quite deplorable. The goal was accomplished in 2006 with the construction of a new facility at 140 Outer Drive in Jackson near Hawkins Field. After the construction of the new shelter, the mission of Jackson Friends changed to become the adoption partner with the city.

Forest County Humane Society has been in existence for 25 years. Their mission continues to be the "Shelter from the Storm" a safe haven for companion animals, providing food, medical care, and human tenderness. To continue to enrich the lives of animals, families, and communities through adoption services, education, and by always taking a firm stand against animal cruelty. They try to give every dog training in basic obedience so that when they are placed in a home they will have basic manners that will make it easier on the dog and adopters. They work hard to give every dog a play partner, so they are more adaptable to multi-dog families and it provides more time and plays while they are staying with them. They reunite lost pets with their families or adopt out over 200 dogs and 150 cats per year. They are an open enrollment no-kill shelter and every animal is loved and cared for by all of them.

The Stone County Humane Society (SCHS) was started by a group of newcomers to Mountain View, Arkansas, Stone County in 1999. This rural area had no leash laws or spay and neuter requirements for animals, so the county was overrun with unwanted, neglected dogs and cats. This group formed with the goal of building a shelter someday and to educate the community on animal care and spay neuter.

The Humane Society of Independence County in Batesville Arkansas is a growing shelter looking to make a difference in their community. Their goal is to rescue and provide a safe shelter for abandoned, abused, homeless, and unwanted dogs and cats within the county; and also secure loving, stable homes for them. A community goal is to reduce the unwanted pet population by encouraging the spaying and neutering of all dogs and cats through education and awareness.

Welcome to the ARPA Animal Shelter of the Week podcast where we introduce you to incredible organizations around the country that are focused on helping animals. We’re proud to be sponsored by Doobert.com. Doobert is a free website designed to connect volunteers with rescues and shelters, and the only site that automates rescue relay transport. Let’s meet this week’s featured animal shelter.

The Kentucky Humane Society (KHS), located in Louisville, KY, is a private, nonprofit organization that is Kentucky's largest pet adoption agency. KHS is also the state's oldest animal welfare organization, founded in 1884. KHS adopts out over 6,500 dogs, cats, and horses every year.

Lee County Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) organization located in Auburn, AL. LCHS is an open-admissions shelter that serves the cities of Auburn and Opelika. The shelter takes in about 3000 animals every year and maintains a 94% live release rate for 2019. Lee County Humane Society is responsible for fundraising about 60% of its annual budget. LCHS offers low-cost spay/neuter programs, a Jog-a-Dog program, a pet food pantry, and a multitude of events for the community throughout the year.

As the leading animal welfare organization in California’s Central Valley, they are committed to leading and serving the community of animals and people by providing programs and services which serve all the stages of an animal’s life. These programs include Adoptions, Rescue, Foster Care, Owner Surrenders, Outreach, Humane Education, Veterinary Services, Spay/Neuter programs, and Pet Services.