Hiawatha Animal Humane Society Inc

It is our mission to be a voice for those who cannot speak.

2023 marks the Hiawatha Animal Humane Society’s 51st year of founding and service, although for many years efforts were directed mostly to Lake City, MN area.

You may notice that our logo has a new look this year thanks to one of our creative volunteers!

In the past nearly 20 years we have expanded to become the place in southeastern Goodhue County,  Wabasha County and other surrounding communities where abandoned, surrendered and often abused animals can find shelter. 

A long standing group of very dedicated volunteers spend countless hours of their time, in order to provide medical care and temporary foster homes so that these rescued animals can wait in a safe, warm, and caring family environment while new loving permanent homes are found for them.  

So far in 2023 , we have placed 56 cats and 17 dogs in what we hope will be, their forever homes.

We receive NO government funding.  All of our money comes from membership fees, which range from $20.00 per year for a single membership to $150.00 for a lifetime membership, and modest adoption fees.  We also hold fund raisers each year that have included garage sales, “Spay-ghetti” luncheons, raffles, holiday events, pet calendar sales, 5K9 dog run/walks, as well as receive donations from other caring local organizations and individuals.

Through our work with our TRAP, NEUTER, RELEASE Program, we are happy to report that the overall numbers of rescues have decreased in the past several years. This is largely because we do not have as many stray (procreating) cats roaming our area as in the past.

This year, many feral cats were trapped, spayed or neutered, then released back to their colonies.  When kittens are involved, the mother and kittens are all taken into our foster care. Once weaned, the kittens, (and very often the mother), are able to be adopted into loving, new homes. 

We typically have 10 plus cats and/or kittens and an occasional dog as well in care simultaneously. For every animal that goes to their new home, another one (or often more) are waiting for their turn for our help. Once an animal comes into care, they live with their foster care family and are made to feel at home.  Sometimes they need extra attention, care and training.  They receive it for as long as it takes.  Often they are in temporary foster care for only weeks. Other times, it may be months, as with our aforementioned tiny kittens, and in a few cases, even a year or more.  

A few of the animals that come to us are injured or sick, so our veterinary care bills continue to take up a large part of our funding efforts. On average, each animal that comes into our care costs $80 to $100 more than can be recovered in adoption fees. It is our policy however not to turn away any animals in need. We know that we are their best chance for a happy future.

Our photo gallery shows some of our favorite pictures of our present and  former adoptables! 

Although COVID-19 created many challenges and heartaches for society, it has made people more aware of the importance family...and also increased their desire to add new furry companions to their homes.  This trend has continued to the present and has of course been of huge benefit for our adoptables and for that, we are very grateful. 

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 

NOTE: Presently, we have 20 + animals being advertised for adoption, on PETFINDER.COM though there are several more in care not quite ready to meet their new families yet.