Humane Society of San Antonio

The Humane Society of San Antonio, also known as the San Antonio Humane Society (SAHS), is a nonprofit, no-kill organization dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of dogs and cats. It provides essential services such as shelter, medical treatment, adoption, rescue, spay/neuter programs, and community education to Bexar County and surrounding areas since its inception in 1952.

Mission

The SAHS mission focuses on providing shelter and care to animals in need, promoting responsible pet ownership, and advocating for animal welfare. As a no-kill facility, it ensures that every treatable animal remains in care until adopted or transferred to another no-kill organization. Euthanasia is reserved for animals deemed untreatable.

Services and Programs

• Shelter and Medical Care: The SAHS shelters and medically treats thousands of animals annually, including those that have been abused, injured, surrendered by their owners, or found as strays.
• Adoption and Rescue: The organization facilitates adoptions and works with other no-kill groups to ensure all treatable pets find homes.
• Spay/Neuter Programs: SAHS operates low-cost spay/neuter clinics to reduce the stray animal population. In 2019, the organization opened a state-of-the-art medical building, significantly increasing its capacity for these surgeries.
• Community Education: Programs are designed to educate the public, particularly children, about responsible pet ownership and humane treatment of animals.

Impact

In recent years, SAHS has achieved significant milestones, such as a high save rate and substantial increases in spay/neuter surgeries. The organization's efforts have positively impacted the local animal welfare landscape by reducing euthanasia rates and promoting humane living practices.

Financial and Operational Structure

The SAHS is a local nonprofit organization that does not receive government funding or regular financial support from larger national organizations like the Humane Society of the United States or the ASPCA. It relies on local donations to maintain its operations.

Governance

The organization is led by a board of directors and supported by a team of skilled professionals in animal welfare, veterinary medicine, and community education. The SAHS emphasizes transparency and governance best practices, ensuring accountability and effectiveness in its mission to support animal welfare in San Antonio.