Licking County Humane Society Looking Forward to a Bigger Shelter

A nonprofit volunteer organization, LCHS cares for neglected or homeless dogs and cats to help them get adopted. The society is currently located on Dog Leg Road behind the Licking County Animal shelter. The current facility houses about 30 cats and 11 dogs.

In 2010, LCHS surveyed the community to see what they felt was important to focus on. The results of the survey included: 1) Saving a larger number of animals from euthanasia. 2) Affordable spay/neuter services. 3) Increase community awareness.

Based on the survey results, a committee of community stakeholders was organized to develop a strategic plan. As a result of this plan, 3 primary goals emerged: 1) Secure a convenient, visible and accessible location & build a centralized animal services center. 2) Secure needed human and financial resources to operate the facility. 3) Increase community awareness.

The society’s board recently took the first steps in an expansion project by purchasing the property at 825 Thornwood Dr. in Heath on 4/11/2011, after evaluating over 60 other properties. This is a 4 acre property with an existing pole building on it. The property was paid for with an endowment that was bequested to LCHS in 2006 by the Hoover family.

A feasibility study is currently being conducted which will help the society determine how much money to raise for renovations, ensuring they are reasonable in their requests from community donors. The plan is for the new property to house 40 dogs and 60 cats, a spay/neuter clinic, boarding for abused and neglected animals that are confiscated by the Humane Agent and a community dog park.

The quiet phase of the capital campaign will begin this summer once the feasibility study is complete.

The society plans to break ground on the new building in 2012 and open the new shelter in 2013.

The Licking County Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization devoted to the humane treatment of animals. Funded solely by private donations at the local level, LCHS currently has space to provide food, shelter and care to a maximum of 11 dogs and 30 cats until they are adopted by qualified individuals. It operates a no-kill shelter, located at 548 Dog Leg Road in Heath, next to the Licking County Animal Shelter. For more information about adopting pets or supporting the LCHS through donations or volunteering, please call 740-323-2100 or visit www.lchspets.org .