Humane Society

There is the holiday stereotype, that a little kid runs down the stairs to find a little puppy. When you think of a humane society there is always a stereotype too. Loud, noisy, dirty, and unorganized. But have you been to the Freeborn County Human Society?

      The HSFC was started in 1976 and didn’t have their own location but about four years ago took over the Albert Lea pound and expanded. They can hold about 35-45 cats, and at any time they are full on dogs, with only space for about 20 at a time.

      They are almost completely dependent on volunteers and donations, with only two paid positions, the shelter director Christa and assistant director Ryan. One of the volunteers is freshman Mason Paczkowski.

      He said he has been helping out for about two years and he helps clean cages, walk dogs, and give medicine.

      But if you do not have the time or energy to go and physically help out, you can do something as easy as bring in blankets, bedding, new or used, food, or money to support them. They are non-profit so they have occasional fundraisers. But most of the commercials you see on TV are for the big public and political shelters in New York or Chicago. Much of the money they get or make goes to the veterinary care. They spend about $1000-$1500 per month on pet care costs and spaying/neutering.

      The goal of the HSFC is to help prevent animal cruelty. To promote spay/neuter and adoption in dogs and cats, and they never euthanize a dog just because of its breed, like some shelters might do, usually with pitbulls.

      “Pitbulls are a very misused and misunderstood breed of dog,” commented assistant director Ryan. About a fourth of the dogs at the shelter are pitbull or a pitbull mix, and their logo is of a pitbull.

      For the past few years, they have has the “12 Days of Christmas” where they would put a picture, and a little bit of information on some of their oldest, or more challenging dogs. This year they are putting most of it on their facebook page and website. And an older, trained, shy dog, needs love, positive attention, and a home much more than a cute popular puppy does.

      Before you ask your mom, dad, grandparents, or other family member for a kitten or a puppy for the holidays, think of the sweet faces of a big fat tabby cat named Cheeto, or a seven year old pitbull named Baby who hates cats, but loves people and kids. There is a cat or dog for anyone willing to take care of them at the Humane Society of Freeborn County.