Animal Humane Society

Adoption and SurrenderAnimal Humane Society helps thousands of dogs, cats, and critters in need find loving homes each year. Our commitment to open admission guarantees safe refuge to every animal that comes to us for help. Innovations and investments in medical treatment and behavioral rehabilitation ensure that we can help animals with even the most significant challenges. As a result, we now place 93 percent of the animals entrusted to our care, up from 59 percent in 2008. The success of Animal Humane Society's shelter program is reflected in three key measures: the total number of animals admitted for rehoming, the percentage of animals with live placements (placement rate), and the average length of stay in shelter. Although our adoption and surrender programs were curtailed by COVID-19, AHS continued to achieve strong results across all three metrics. In the year ended June 30, 2022: 12,969 companion animals came into AHS facilities. 11,964 of those animals more than 93% were placed in homes, reunited with owners, or released to other organizations. The average length of stay for animals in shelter was 8.7 days.Placements included 9,635 animals adopted, 641 animals reunited with owners, 1,477 cats returned to field, and 211 animals transferred to partner organizations.Robust medical and behavioral programs contribute to this continued success: 7,180 animals received spay/neuter surgeries before adoption. Spay/neuter and other non-essential surgeries were prohibited by executive order for six weeks at the onset of the pandemic. AHS veterinarians diagnosed and treated 9,915 conditions. AHS Shelter Behavior programs readied 2,443 cats and dogs for placement.

Pet ServicesAHS offers programs to serve all stages of an animal's life, including: More than 100 family-friendly pet training classes each week, along with one-on-one training and socialization sessions, therapy animal courses, playgroups, and rabbit agility classes. 1,416 pets attended classes and private training sessions through AHS's training programs. A free Pet Helpline (952-HELP-PET) that handled 68,837 incoming calls, providing caring, compassionate advice and resources to help with everything from solving behavior problems to finding pet-friendly housing. Compassionate end-of-life services, including owner-requested euthanasia for 1,625 pets and a weekly pet loss support group. Online resources for pet owners, including a behavior resource library at animalhumanesociety.org.

OutreachAnimal Humane Society works with individuals and organizations across Minnesota to create a more humane world for animals, including: Outreach to under-engaged communities, including education programs and free or low-cost services that empower low-income pet owners and improve the lives of pets. A pet food pantry that distributed more than 35,500 pounds of cat and dog food to Minnesota families in need. Education programs that foster humane values and compassion for animals, including day camps, a youth club, and other activities for kids and families. A Community Cats program focused on reducing euthanasia and providing alternative solutions for feral and free-roaming cats through return-to-field and trap-neuter-return programs. This program served 1,477 cats. A partnership with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota that provided emergency care for 17 injured and orphaned wild animals. A robust volunteer program that enlists hundreds of active volunteers in providing animal enrichment, foster care, shelter support, and other assistance. Volunteers provided foster care for 997 animals before adoption.

Animal RescueAiding animals in critical situations is core to Animal Humane Society's work. Our humane agents respond to reports of possible animal cruelty or neglect throughout Minnesota. They receive reports about animals that are lacking proper food, water, and shelter. They also participate in larger, more complex cases involving cruelty, with on-site investigations, forensics, and seizures aiding law enforcement agencies that seek AHS assistance. During the year ended June 30, 2022, our Humane Investigations unit received 1,791 requests for assistance and opened 972 formal cases. Follow-up investigation and forensics of these cases took AHS agents into 81 of Minnesota's 87 counties. Those investigations impacted the lives of 7,002 animals.AHS took in 3,225 animals from other animal welfare organizations throughout Minnesota and other states, finding homes for animals that would otherwise face euthanasia in overcrowded facilities.