Program Descriptions

Adoption program – Through our Adoption program, Columbus Humane works to match healthy and behaviorally sound animals with loving homes. Individuals work with adoption counselors and volunteer matchmakers to find the perfect “match.” All dogs, cats, vaccinated, sprayed or neutered, and micro-chipped. We also work to find homes for a number of different pocket pets like gerbils and guinea pigs. In addition to our traditional adoption program, the Humane Society also has a special adoptables program for animal with special behavioral or medical needs.

Cruelty Investigations – Columbus Humane is the lead law enforcement agency in Franklin County investigating cases of animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect. Columbus Humane has four full-time and one part-time commissioned human agents who investigate more than 6,000 reports each year. Our “animal cops” work hard in the field 365 days a year to protect animals from abuse and to educate members of the community about the proper care and treatment of animals. Reports are received from concerned citizens, social services, health departments and other law enforcement agencies. In 2013, humane agents brought in 1,226 animals to our facility.

Safe Haven for Pets – Columbus Humane’s Safe Haven for Pets program is designed to support victims of domestic violence who are attempting to leave an abusive situation, but fear for the safety of their companion animals. Currently, no local domestic violence shelters offer services to pets. We offer a temporary housing option for pets so victims can seek safety for themselves and know their pets are receiving outstanding care and are safe from harm. During their stay, all pets will receive complete veterinary care including vaccinations, treatments for illness and injuries, and for dogs, cats and rabbits, a spay or neuter surgery. All services are offered at no cost to the victim.

EmBARK – The EmBARK program (Engaging in the Mutually Beneficial Application of Resources & Knowledge) is the first of its kind of nationwide. We transfer dogs from overpopulated shelters around Ohio to Columbus Humane for adoption through the EmBARK program, we also provide partner shelters with training, veterinary supplies and equipment necessary to vaccinate their entire population upon admission and equipment/training to provide cleaner, more enriched living environments.

Veterinary Services – Columbus Humane examines the health of all animals served including vaccinations, health exams and testing for diseases like Feline Leukemia, FIV and heartworm. We are very proud to partner extensively with the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Our partnership is among the first in the country to require a two week rotation in shelter medicine and surgery for all fourth year veterinary students. This rotation is consistently rated number one by students.

STEPS Volunteer program – Columbus Humane is home to more than 550 active volunteers serving over 35,000 hours each year. Our amazing volunteers make an impact by socializing cats and rabbits, exercising and training dogs, fostering animals in their homes, assisting with veterinary care, and supporting adoption and fundraising events. Our volunteer training program, STEPS (Skills-Training, Engagement and Practice for Success) is a 20 hour curriculum of both classroom and hands-on learning. Broken down in blocks of 4 hour programming, volunteers learn about animal care and our organization.

Foster Care – Our foster care program provides a safe and comfortable place for animals to grow, heal and gain confidence before being made available for adoption to the general public. Our foster families are all volunteers who share their homes with a pet in transition— sometimes up to several months. The largest population of animals who receive foster care services are young kittens who are not yet large enough for spay or neuter.

Animal Care – We cared for nearly 10,000 animals in 2013 and our shelter houses an average of 250 animals in care at all times. This includes animals available for adoption, new arrivals waiting to be evaluated, animals held as evidence in a cruelty investigation and for our Safe Haven program. Cleaning and disinfection is a critical factor in keeping animals happy and healthy and ensuring our shelter smells great for all who visit, people and animals alike. All animal living environments, toys and supplies are cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis.

Behavioral Training Classes – We offer behavior training classes to puppies and dogs. 100% of all proceeds from these classes benefit The Capital Are Humane Society. The cost for each six-week course is $95 or $80 for animals adopted from Columbus Humane and members, volunteers of 100+ hours and staff.