Our Story
Our aim is a world where people and animals coexist in an ethical and sustainable ecosystem. We are a reputable Animal Shelter bringing together a community that wants to build awareness and promote effective initiatives that protect animals and ensure their welfare.
At Humane Society of Henderson County we not only rescue and rehabilitate animals from suffering, but also work to protect their natural habitats and educate the public on the pressing issues.
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About us
Founded in 1965, the HSHC has served the Henderson County community as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by providing an opportunity for homeless animals to get a second chance at a good life.
The HSHC is also under contract by both the City and County to provide Animal Control services. This includes responding to calls and complaints about troublesome, stray, lost, or abused animals. In the case of animal neglect and abuse, Animal Control officers work with the local law enforcement to obtain arrest warrants and testify in court to punish the offenders. The Animal Control division receives annual funding for the City and County, but the actual Humane Society is funded entirely by donations and adoption fees.
The official business and operation decisions of the HSHC, on a day to day basis, are the responsibility of the Operations Manager, but overseen by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors main purpose is to establish and adopt such policies, rules, procedures, and regulations as deemed necessary in carrying out the work and services of the HSHC, but in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, as well as establishing long-term strategic planning.
The shelter accepts animals for a wide variety of reasons including economic crisis, divorce, relocation, death of an owner, abandonment, and abuse. No animals are turned away. Due to the large number of animals taken each month, there is typically not a large enough local demand for these good adoptable animals, many of which are well-behaved house pets that have fallen on hard times due to the reasons previously listed. The shelter will keep an adoptable animal as long as resources allow, while also working with several rescue organizations from many surrounding states.
The shelter actively solicits these rescues to accept the animals because they can provide care and homes for animals without the resource restrictions of the shelter. Weekly transports are organized by shelter staff to deliver the animals accepted to rescues each week. Most transports require a staff member or volunteer to deliver each animal to their selected rescue organization. Board members or volunteers also hold adoption events as much as possible.