Humane Society of Young County

The Humane Society of Young County is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 1979 and continues to be the only open-intake facility in a more than 60 mile radius, serving the cities of Graham, Olney, and Newcastle, along with surrounding Young County. We utilize many rescues to help us save more dogs and cats, as we take in many more pets than we have adopters. HSYC takes in around 1000 animals annually.  We are fortunate to have a knowledgeable staff that can evaluate temperaments and health and help get our dogs and cats into appropriate homes. We also have a hard-working Board of Directors that not only financially help support the shelter, but also drive dogs and cats miles on short notice, pick up loads of food and supplies, foster dogs and cats until homes are found and help work our PETS Clinics that are on site for low-cost vet care.

This year has been a tough one for all shelters and HSYC in no exception with intake numbers soaring and adoptions dropping. We spent the past year working on finishing our new dog quarantine area, Niko's Nook, named for a starved Dogo Argentino, who came to us too late to save in March 2023. HSYC and Niko's foster tried everything to save him. This sweet boy left paw prints on so many hearts, HSYC has vowed not to let him be forgotten. Because of Niko, we all want to work even harder to stop senseless neglect and abuse of animals in our community.  We have completed so much of this new area including: sloping the floor, installing heat/ac, sealing the floors, waterproofing the walls, and installing new lights. Thank you so much for to the Graham Community Fund for helping us accomplish these jobs. 

The next and final step to completing this room is the purchase and installation of kennels to hold dogs. We have an estimate for these kennels, but are currently seeking something more cost-effective. The purpose of this room is for medical and behavioral holds (dog who need to be evaluated because of possible illness or aggression), and for dogs who are a part of seizures by law enforcement due to cruelty or neglect cases. Unfortunately this room has been needed and set up for make-shift use many times even though it wasn't completed. Some of these cases had as many as 26 dogs coming into our shelter in one day. Having this room available allows us to help with these cases without having to make some very difficult decisions about how to make space in our 24 regular kennels when they are already full. Niko's Nook saved us from making those decisions, which would have been a very sad and hard endeavor. 

Since this quarantine area has been in such high demand, we would love to raise the funds to finish it out with permanent kennels that will stand up to the wear and tear and last for many years. HSYC wants to be ready when these cases come in, with the room to house these animals, in addition to the 20 plus dogs and 50 plus cats in our care at any given time, as well as room for our rescue partners to come in and help with these cases.

This year our shelter has operated over-capacity continuously since early spring. The calls from owners wanting to surrender there pets seems endless. HSYC has 24 dog kennels and 51 cat condos and have been caring for 30-35 dogs and 60 or more cats. We are exhausted and our resources run short. Costs are up and donations have waned this summer. Of course the need continues. Dog, puppy, cat, and kitten food, vaccinations, medications, enrichment, cleaners, utilities, and gas for hauling dogs and cats to adoption events and to meet up with rescues, the list of needs is always constant.

As you can see, the need for care of homeless animals in Young County is great. Help the Humane Society of Young County continue to care for the dogs and cats that need us!

Please spay and neuter your pets! (RIP Bob Barker) Adopt! Foster! Donate! Be a part of the solution!

74% of our yearly operating budget comes from community donors like you! Only 11% of our funding comes from our city and county government agencies. We are thankful for all our supporters!