Mission
The mission of the Idaho Humane Society is to advocate for the welfare and responsible care of animals, protect them from neglect and cruelty, and promote humane awareness and compassion. We believe that because domestic animals are a product of human intervention, we have a special obligation to them in regard to humane treatment and responsible stewardship.
Vision
The Idaho Humane Society will continue to grow and meet the demand to shelter, feed, provide medical attention to, and find adoptive homes for abandoned and abused animals; to educate Idahoans about the proper care of their own pets; to prevent animal overpopulation and to promote kindness to animals. We envision a humane Idaho in which healthy and adoptable animals no longer must be euthanized, and both domestic animals and wildlife are treated with compassion and respect.
Overview
The Idaho Humane Society is the largest and oldest animal welfare organization and veterinary charity in the state of Idaho. Click here to read an overview of our many programs and services on behalf of animals.
The Idaho Humane Society is a private 501c3 organization that relies on donations to provide programs and services that benefit animals in Idaho. We are completely independent and we do not receive any funding from national animal welfare organizations such as the ASPCA or the Humane Society of the United States. We encourage our supporters throughout Idaho to donate directly to their local animal shelters, animal welfare organizations and rescue groups. The animals in your own community need your help!
History
The original Idaho Humane Society was formed in Boise in the late 1890’s, and was active through the early decades of the last century. This group was an all volunteer organization. Some of the original members of this group were later affiliated with the current Humane Society, including District Judge Charles F. Koelsch who was a lifelong and influential advocate for the humane treatment of animals and the punishment of those who perpetuate acts of cruelty.
The current Idaho Humane Society was formed after three Boise women: Mrs. John (Olga) Rothchild, Mrs. Ben Mains, and Mrs. Earl Zimmerman who protested the inhumane conditions that existed at the Boise City Pound in June, 1941. They took a local Idaho Statesman reporter to investigate the pound and confronted Boise Mayor Westerman Whillock with demands that conditions should be improved. The result was a front page Idaho Statesman expose which infuriated local citizens with its account of stray dogs languishing in the pound (a three sided wooden barn located on the banks of the Boise River near present day Ann Morrison Park in an area known to residents as "shanty town"). Dogs were reportedly kept without adequate food or water, and subsequently shot and left to decompose within the structure. Reacting to public pressure, the Mayor assured residents that the situation would be remedied and pledged to adequately fund the pound with dog license revenue. With the help of the group that would become the Idaho Humane Society, the structure was cleaned and the animals were properly cared for. New policies were adopted including: humane euthanasia of dogs by chloroform rather than gunshot; plentiful food and water, a mandatory holding period for stray dogs so that owners could reclaim them, and sanitation standards.
The Idaho Humane Society took over the functions of running the shelter and were highly successful at finding the owners of lost dogs and adopting out those which were not claimed. Olga Rothchild, both passionate and forceful in her concern for animals, continued to be a driving force in improving conditions. The group was ahead of its time, ensuring that adopted female dogs were spayed at the Blue Cross Hospital for Dogs in Boise (a revolutionary idea at that time). During this time the pound had no electricity or heat, and water for cleaning had to be carried from the river in buckets. In 1945, the group was formerly incorporated as the Idaho Humane Society. Early accomplishments of the group included the passing of local laws including cruelty and dog at large ordinances. The shelter was moved to an old army barracks at Gowen Field in 1949. In 1959, a new shelter was constructed. The majority of funds came from the Humane Society, with Ada County and Boise City contributing the rest. Although conditions were much improved, this shelter was overcrowded from the beginning, at situation that was remedied in 1997 with the construction of the present day 27,000 square foot facility funded by a capital campaign that raised 3.8 million dollars from local philanthropists and businesses. The shelter currently handles approximately 15,000 animals per year and has one of the most successful adoption and fostering programs in the northwest. The current Idaho Humane Society has a staff of 75, hundreds of volunteers and is governed by an all volunteer 21 member board of directors.
