OUR MISSION

The Mission

The Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) advocates the humane treatment of companion animals through leadership and proactive solutions to pet overpopulation, including adoptions, education and spay/neuter efforts.

Who We Are

KHS is the oldest animal agency in Kentucky and the largest animal welfare organization in the state. As a private, non-profit animal welfare agency, KHS accepts any cat and dog in need, regardless of health, background, breed and temperament.

For more than 125 years, KHS has been providing shelter, food and medical care for thousands of unwanted animals each year. Thanks to the community’s continued support, we’re making Louisville and its surrounding areas a better place for our four-legged friends and the people who love them.

KHS does more than you probably think! Not only are we here to help the area’s homeless cats and dogs, but we’re also here to help you have a better relationship with your beloved companion animal.

Check out all of our programs: 

Adoptions
Behavior Training
Boarding
Doggie Daycare
Grooming
In-Home Pet Sitting
Humane Education for Kids
Rescue
Spay/Neuter
Summer Camp for Kids

How We Do It

Private support enables KHS to provide care and shelter for thousands of needy, unwanted animals each year, while also making spay/neuter and education programs possible – so we can help end the euthanasia of healthy, temperamentally sound pets in our area.

KHS is not funded by any city, state or federal entity, nor are we funded by any national humane organization. It is only through the generosity of private supporters, corporations and foundations that we are able to continue our life-saving programs.

KHS is the only animal welfare agency in the state to receive Charity Navigator’s highest rating for fiscal responsibility.

Through our aggressive proactive programs, we are making Louisville a better place for pets and the people who love them. In 2009, KHS adopted more than 6,194 dogs and cats into new homes. Our spay/neuter clinic, S.N.I.P., altered more than 9,000 owned pets in 2009. Our Humane Education department reached 3,781 children teaching kindness and respect for animals and our Behavior department helped 838 dogs and their owners strengthen their bond and relationship.

Each quarter we review our progress in our proactive programs to evaluate effectiveness of our ultimate goal – reducing the number of pets needing sheltering services in our community. We are proud that in 2009 we set record numbers in all of our programs. 
 

How We Got Started

In 1884, two women from Frankfort founded the Kentucky Humane Society to fight the cruel treatment of “commerce animals”-- horses. In 1921, the “Animal Rescue League” was established in Louisville to prevent abuse to domestic animals.

In 1945, the Kentucky Humane Society and Animal Rescue League merged and soon after were incorporated, obtaining non-profit status. That’s why today, our official name is “Kentucky Humane Society – Animal Rescue League.”

In the past 12 years, KHS has expanded its programs to better serve pets in our community and surrounding areas.

Board Members

View a list of Kentucky Humane Society Board Members. 

Executive Staff

View a list of Kentucky Humane Society Executive Staff.