Animal Humane Society

Adoption and SurrenderAHS helps thousands of dogs, cats, and critters in need find loving homes each year. AHS's 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, AHS now places more than 90 percent of the animals entrusted to its care, up from 59 percent in 2008. The success of AHS'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 AHS's 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, 2023: 13,013 companion animals came into AHS facilities. 11,904 of those animals more than 90% were placed in homes, reunited with owners, or released to other organizations. The average length of stay for animals in shelter was 11.5 days.Placements included 9,433 animals adopted, 822 animals reunited with owners, 1,465 cats returned to field, and 184 animals transferred to partner organizations.Robust medical and behavioral programs contribute to this continued success: 7,526 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 12,105 conditions. AHS Shelter Behavior programs readied 2,523 cats and dogs for placement.

Pet ServicesAHS offers programs to serve all stages of an animal's life, including: More than 70 family-friendly pet training classes each week, along with one-on-one training and socialization sessions, therapy animal courses, playgroups, and rabbit agility classes. 1,169 pets attended classes and private training sessions through AHS's training programs. A free Pet Helpline (952-HELP-PET) that handled 58,555 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 1,266 pets and a weekly pet loss support group. Online resources for pet owners, including a behavior resource library at animalhumanesociety.org.

Community EngagementAHS 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 37,402 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 serving 4,827 participants. 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 1,465 cats. A partnership with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota that provided emergency care for 12 injured and orphaned wild animals. A robust volunteer program that enlists 531 active volunteers in providing animal enrichment, foster care, shelter support, and other assistance. In addition, 234 volunteers provided foster care for 766 animals before adoption.

RescueAiding animals in critical situations is core to AHS's work. AHS's 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, 2023, AHS's Humane Investigations unit received 1,800 requests for assistance and opened 844 formal cases. Follow-up investigation and forensics of these cases took AHS agents into 79 of Minnesota's 87 counties. Those investigations impacted the lives of 7,567 animals.AHS took in 2,684 animals from other animal welfare organizations throughout Minnesota and other states, finding homes for animals that would otherwise face euthanasia in overcrowded facilities.

Affordable Veterinary CareAHS's Veterinary Centers provide low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and full-service veterinary care on a sliding fee scale, expanding care to animals whose options would otherwise be limited. In September 2020, AHS opened a new public veterinary center in St. Paul, MN to expand these efforts. In the year ended June 30, 2023, AHS's vet centers provided 11,277 services to the public, including 4,515 medical and wellness appointments, 1,064 dental and specialty surgeries, and 5,798 spay/neuter surgeries.