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About Minnesota Humane Society

Location:

475 CLEVELAND AVE N STE 100B, SAINT PAUL, MN 55104, US

Mission Statement

The Minnesota Humane Society (MHS) is the oldest humane society in Minnesota, established in 1869, and was the third humane society in the United States. MHS is dedicated to protecting the lives and interests of Minnesota's animals, extending its concern to all animals--both domesticated and wild. Our mission is accomplished through education, advocacy and rescue.

Description

Education:

• MHS has taken a leadership role in promoting humane education on behalf of both domesticated and wild animals. Over the years, MHS has developed a variety of informational literature designed to enlighten the public on animal related issues.
• In classrooms throughout MN, MHS sponsors KIND NEWS, a monthly publication, promoting both kindness toward both people and animals and a respect for the environment.
• MHS representatives speak to students in classrooms and youth groups about pet overpopullation, the importance of spaying and neutering and how to responsibly care for companion animals.
• MHS hosts a booth in the Pet Center at the MN State Fair and provides information to the public on a variety of animal related issues. MHS also particpates in in the Twin Cities Pet Expo and a variety of other cat and dog events throughout the year.

Advocacy:

• Each legislative session MHS works to protect Minnnesota's animals.
• In the late 1800s, MHS was responsible for establishing one of the first laws making cruelty to animals a crime.
• Recent legislative efforts include working to repeal pound seizure where publicly funded shelters and pounds are required to provide unclaimed animals for experimental and educational purposes.
• MHS has worked to repeal the recently legalized hunting of mourning doves and to prevent the inhumane practice of bear hunting with hounds.
• MHS is actively working to pass legislation that would protect dogs, cats, puppies and kittens in Minnesota puppy mills.

Rescue:

• MHS does not maintain a shelter, however we rescue dogs and cats from several area impound facilities. These unclaimed animals would face euthanasia if not for our rescue program.
• All MHS rescues are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, tested for a variety of health conditions and receive any needed medical attention, from de-worming to surgery.
• Rescues go to a foster home or one of several adoption sites. Interested adopters fill out a detailed application and veterinary reference checks are conducted to help determine if the home is a good match. The goal of MHS is to find a forever home for each of its rescues.

Othe Programs:

• Perhaps one of the greatest needs across the Twin Cities, as well as across the nation, is population control of feral (wild) cats. Numerous studies on how best to control these breeding populations have determined that the most effective means of population control is a program called "Trap, Neuter, and Release" where colony members are sterilized and provided food and shelter in the areas they normally live. These cats then live out their lives without adding to the population. Frequently small feral cat colonies populate areas where citizens are concerned for their well-being. MHS responds to to calls regarding small feral cat colonies and provides the veterinary services needed for these feral cats. MHS volunteers also build feral cat shelters which can house five to seven cats.
• The MHS Elliott Medical Fund (named in honor of a stray puppy MHS rescued being abused by neighborhood children) supports extraordinary medical expenses for both our rescues as well as occasional grants to needy members of the public whose animals would not otherwise receive medical treatment.