Lake of the Woods Humane Society

We are a 100% volunteer 501c3 humane society in the northern most part of Minnesota. We have been a registered non profit for over 25 years. Because we are managed and maintained by an all volunteer team 100% of your donations goes to the animals that need your help. Lake of the Woods Humane Society is often called "the small shelter that can!" 

We provide shelter and care to stray, injured, abused, and displaced animals.  The volunteers maintain the shelter in a way that promotes kindness of animals and provides an environment that is inviting to both people and pets through quality care, professionalism, knowledge, and education. All dogs and cats that are adopted are fully vetted which means they are spayed/neutered and currently vaccinated/dewormed, as well as treatment of other medical issues. In our community developing programs to combat pet over population are ongoing but require veterinary funds to do so. 

By the commitment and sacrifice of our volunteers and a giving and supportive community we are able to keep our adoption fees low without sacrificing the animals care. Our adoption fees are 65.00 for cats/kittens and 150.00 for dogs/puppies. We do not raise our adoption fees based on the breed or age of the pet looking for a home. Our adoption fees are very low, much lower than the cost it takes us to get a dog or cat ready for adoption by having them fully vetted. It is very difficult to raise enough money to cover our expenses but we are dedicated to offer adoption fees that everyone can afford. Everyone should be able to adopt and feel the love of the saved. On average it costs the humane society 200-600 dollars to fully vet each animal we save. With such low adoption fees it would be impossible to keep going without the generosity of caring animal lovers like you! Without the generous giving of our friends we could not stay open. 

DURING GIVE TO THE MAX DAY (NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025) YOUR DONATION CAN DO EVEN MORE WITH GIVEMN GOLDEN TICKET DRAWINGS. WITH JUST A $5.00 DONATION WE ARE ENTERED INTO A DRAWING WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A $500.00 GOLDEN TICKET. WILL YOU HELP US HELP THE ANIMALS?

       

Because of your support and giving we can make happy happen! The animals that come to us often have no where else to go. If an animal comes to us with medical needs we do not give up on them and no dog or cat is ever euthanized due to space. It is so rewarding to see one of "our adoptables" meet their forever families, making it all worth it! With your help we can all help to save them. Volunteer, Adopt, or Donate....TOGETHER WE SAVE.           

  I am a volunteer at Lake of the Woods Humane Society. I wanted to give you an idea of what it means to me to be a volunteer. I have been volunteering for many years and I am so honored to be a part of the dogs and cats lives until they are adopted into loving homes. I see them come in sometimes depressed and untrusting or hurt. When they blossom with all the love and compassion they receive I do a happy dance! YES! We love you! We had one dog named Lobo that came to us from the streets. I don't think he ever had a home just fed by all the neighbors but no one was able to offer him shelter. He came to us with a crookedly healed broken jaw and a timidness that made me cry! What had he been through??? With love, compassion, and patience Lobo came around to trust and love us. He was so happy we couldnt take a picture of him without him smiling. We nicknamed him Smiling Lobo. His time at the Humane Society was clearly the best life he had so far experienced. He would always have a crooked jaw but it didnt affect him one bit. We all cried when Smiling Lobo found his forever home but were over joyed that probably for the first time in his life he was going to be in a real home and I'm pretty sure he found his way onto the couch pretty quick! 

    

When my friends ask me why I volunteer I tell them "If not us who?" Who will fight for them, who will save them, who will keep them safe until they can find a family of their own? We are so lucky to have a shelter in such a small town and a caring and dedicated community that make it possible. But without your help we would not be able to continue all the good that happens. 

If you are thinking of volunteering or donating I will say "If not you...who will?"

   

In the last few years our 25 year old humane society has been showing it's age. We have been keeping up with repairs by doing area fundraisers but the costs are adding up making it hard to keep up. We are lucky to have so many caring volunteers so that we do not have the cost of paid staff but with the rising costs of veterinary care and repairs we need your help to continue. Do you have $5 $10 or more to give? 

We thank you so much for your ongoing support of Lake of the Woods Humane Society and all the animals that come to us for help. If you are unable to give at this time we would greatly appreciate if you could share our link with your friends and families.