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You have no doubt heard of Huntingdon County Humane Society, but did you know that we serve both Huntingdon and Mifflin counties? In case you didn’t, let me share our story.
In the late ’60s, Geraldine Simpson was concerned about the welfare of homeless animals in Huntingdon County. Meetings were held in her home, and thanks to Ms. Simpson and her supporters, Huntingdon County Humane Society was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c) 3 in 1978. It took another 11 years of strong fundraising to reach the $50,000 needed to match state funds in order to build the shelter. In the meantime a small group of animal-loving volunteers rotated months to house the homeless dogs and cats. Oftentimes they would transport animals to other shelters in Altoona or State College when vacancies arose. Finally, on July 3, 1989, Huntingdon County Humane Society became a reality and opened its doors.
When the facility opened, the goal was to run completely on volunteer labor, thus no payroll monies would be needed. Ultimately, this became an impossible feat as the few volunteers available could not perform the many tasks required and time involved to maintain the facility and care for the animals. Today, the shelter has one full-time staff member and four part-time employees. Volunteers staff a 12-member board of directors, a fundraising committee, and a marketing and public relations committee.
Originally the shelter offered six dog runs, a few large crates and no cat rooms. Currently there are 12 dog runs, two cat rooms, a newly-built kitten room, a treatment room and an exercise yard. The shelter is set up to house 17 dogs and approximately 45 cats at a time. Sadly, the facility is consistently over capacity with 20 plus dogs and over 100 cats.
Huntingdon County Humane Society is an open opportunity shelter that accepts animals who are homeless, surrendered and abused. We give every adoptable animal a chance to find a loving and forever home. To date, more than 35,000 animals have been cared for at our shelter. The medical needs of the animals who come to us are our first priority. Dogs and cats receive a full veterinary exam, and if any health concerns are found, they are treated immediately. Animals have needed broken bones set, critical wound care, amputations, porcupine quills removed, treatment for mange and lyme disease, even eye surgery. Prior to adoption, each animal is tested for lyme disease, heart worms, parasites, and FeLV/FIV. They are vaccinated, micro-chipped, litter box trained, and spayed or neutered. The medical care given to the animals is a major financial expense for our shelter. But, as our logo says, “We Care,” thus the animals’ health, well-being and future are our priority despite these accumulating costs.
Other initiatives we offer are low cost spay/neuter programs, microchip/rabies vaccination clinics and animal education programs.
Huntingdon County Humane Society receives no federal, state or county funding, nor do we receive support from national animal welfare organizations. We rely solely on our community for funding and volunteer assistance. Because our services are for both Huntingdon and Mifflin counties, it is imperative to the success of our shelter that both counties work together to help us keep our doors open so that we can continue to care for animals in need.
We are constantly fundraising and finding new ways to financially support our facility and the animals in our care. Currently we are raising funds to upgrade our dog kennels in order to meet new state guidelines. Donations of supplies and monetary donations are always needed.
HCHS is located at 11371 School House Hollow Road in Huntingdon. Our facility is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. If you are interested in becoming a member, a volunteer of our fundraising or PR/marketing committees, or would simply like to volunteer your time to walk the dogs, and play with and groom the cats, you may contact us by calling (814) 643-7387 or via email at hchspets@verizon.net. Look us up on the web at www.huntingdonhumanesociety.com. You can also find us on Facebook at Huntingdon County Humane Society, where we share upcoming fundraising events, as well as information and photos of the dogs and cats who are currently up for adoption, and much more.
Together, the animal loving members of Huntingdon and Mifflin counties can help us continue to house, care for and find homes for the animals at our shelter. You’ve heard that “It takes a village to raise a child.” The same can be said for our shelter. Simply put, we cannot continue to do what we do without your support.
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Sandee Warsing is the president of the Huntingdon County Humane Society.