About Us - Mission & History

The Idaho Humane Society is the largest and oldest animal welfare organization in the state of Idaho. The Society runs Idaho’s largest animal shelter for dogs, cats and other small animals, typically handling 15,000 animals per year.

Additionally, the I.H.S. operates it’s Rescue Ranch which shelters farm animals and horses, particularly those which have suffered from neglect or abuse.

We also operate a veterinary hospital which cares for both shelter animals and those belonging to the general public. The hospital performs over 7,000 spays and neuters per year, and also cares for thousands of injured animals each year.

The Idaho Humane Society contracts with the cities of Boise, Star and Eagle, as well as unincorporated Ada County, to provide animal control ordinance enforcement and cruelty investigation.

We provide educational opportunities for area youth, and many opportunities to help animals by volunteering or fostering a shelter animal.

We are also active in promoting legislation that improves conditions for the animals and pet owners of Idaho. Our community events such as See Spot Walk involve thousands of area pet lovers in support 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.

Mission

The mission of the Idaho Humane Society is to advocate the welfare and responsible care of animals, protect them from neglect and cruelty, and promote humane awareness and compassion.

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. They staffed a desk within the old city hall during the administration of Mayor Fritchman in 1911 at which complaints of animal cruelty were received and passed on to Officer Riggs, Boise’s first humane officer. 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 protested the inhumane conditions that existed at the Boise City Pound in June, 1941 by taking a local reporter to investigate the pound and confronting 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 community volunteers, within two days the structure had been thoroughly cleaned and the animals were being 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.

Over the subsequent few years, community volunteers took over the functions of running the Boise Pound 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. 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 at present day Dorman Street. 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 50, hundreds of volunteers and is governed by an all volunteer 21 member board of directors.