Friends of Hardin County Animal Shelter believes the life of every animal is important. We work to cultivate a like-minded community where dogs and cats are valued and treated compassionately.

We do this through support of Hardin County Animal Care And Control, advocacy for animal welfare and community education and collaboration with other animal centric groups while being fiscally responsible.

Community Education and Collaboration

Rescue Transport

• Coordinate volunteer efforts to move homeless dogs across Kentucky into rescue groups in Northern Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York to be adopted in appropriate homes.
• Provide funds for routine maintenance, gas and repairs for rescue van.
• Provide for needed supplies (crates).
• Recruit and train transport drivers.

Strengthen and Establish Relationships with Community Organizations

• Local rescue groups
• Other non-profit organizations with an animal focus
• Animal hospitals/clinics and veterinarians
• Non-profit organizations with a pet component (domestic-abuse shelters, food banks, etc.)

Board Involvement

• Educate our community through public-speaking engagements.
• Participate in community events.
• Serve as a liaison with local groups.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Commitment to an all-volunteer board.
• Focus on fundraising.
• Commitment to 100% of donations supporting mission.
• Maintain no paid employees.

Support of Hardin County Animal Care and Control

Medical Fund

• Financially support full-time shelter veterinarian ($20,000 yearly stipend to County).
• Offset costs when care is needed from non-shelter staff (x-rays, emergency care).

Lasting Adoptions

• Partner with shelter staff to participate in and support adoption events at offsite locations (Pets Supplies Plus, Feeder’s Supply, etc.)

• Sponsor shelter promotions that focus on adopted pet retention (Furever Valentine).
• Organize seasonal photography to showcase shelter dogs and encourage adoption.
• Support an emergency fund, providing dog/cat food for struggling families.

Return to Field

• Assist community members with supplies and resources to trap community cats to be spayed and neutered.
• Offset all costs associated with surgeries.
• Return cats to where found, marked with an ear-tip, helping reduce excess cat population humanely.
• Helps to control community cat numbers, which reduces resources (space, supplies, etc.) required at the shelter.

Paws and Boots

• Partnership with United States Army Recruiting and Retention College Soldiers walk dogs every Saturday morning (weather permitting) from February through November, allows key activities for dogs (socialization, exercise) and for soldiers away from 2- and 4-legged family members.

Advocacy for Animal Welfare

Advocacy Efforts

• Increase education and awareness of local and state officials.
• Support and assist passage of animal welfare-related legislation.
• Provide education for responsible pet ownership.

SNAP

• Providing low/no-cost spay and neuter surgeries.
• Dogs and cats accepted, reducing excess pet population.
• Low/no cost vaccinations and minor surgical procedures (when necessary).