The Fulton County Humane Society is an independent, nonprofit organization.
You read that right! It is a common misconception that FCHS is part of or affiliated with our local county government or national animal welfare organizations such as The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). While we all love animals and work to create positive experiences for them, FCHS is completely independent of our local government, the HSUS, the ASPCA, or any other organization.
We do not receive government funding of any kind — city, state, or federal. We are completely self-supporting — which is why we are incredibly grateful for our generous donors and passionate volunteer staff. Our independence allows us to act locally and work directly with our neighbors to help animals in need, and provide better care for pets who live right here in Ohio.
We help animals in trouble by rescuing those who have been hurt, ignored, and/or abandoned. Additionally, our staff and volunteers work daily to ensure every animal is given good food, vaccines, and medical care. It is also our goal to properly socialize every animal and to do everything in our power to find them the best homes.
Animals are never euthanized for space.
The animals in our care call FCHS home until they are placed through our adoption program. Animals are never euthanized due to space or length of stay.
FCHS is a closed-admission shelter. That means we cannot accept every animal that comes to us — we take what we can responsibly care for. We are an under funded, rural animal shelter with a limited volunteer staff continuing to do great things within our community and beyond.
We are committed to creating the best lives possible for animals and humans alike, which means FCHS staff sometimes face the difficult decision of humanely euthanizing an animal — either to prevent further suffering from an untreatable illness or to keep people and other animals safe from untreatable aggression. We never make these tough decisions without deep consideration of the animal’s best interest.
We are proud of everything we do for our animals every day. In 2023, FCHS reported a placement rate of more than 90% and has been recognized by Best Friends Network .
Since 1981, we have been rescuing, helping to heal, and rehoming animals in Fulton County and nearby areas. We also educate people in our community about taking good care of their pets, and assist families with pets in need. Our organization promotes spaying and neutering to control the pet population and collaborates with Humane Ohio once a month to provide our community a low-cost spay/neuter transport to Toledo, Ohio.
FCHS truly is a happy place that is full of life.
The thought of an animal in a shelter awaiting a forever home can be disheartening, but at FCHS, many dogs and cats quickly transition to a brighter future. Dedicated volunteers and staff go above and beyond to ensure these animals feel cherished and appreciated. Some of the animals have endured long-term suffering, but we spare no effort, including life-saving medical care, to improve their situations. Whether they are healthy or in recovery, all animals in our care at FCHS receive abundant kisses, hugs, engaging activities, and soothing cuddles.
You can help us continue to make FCHS a positive place for animals and people alike. There are multiple ways to get involved such as volunteering— either in shelter or as a foster family — or supporting animals with a monetary gift.
Want to know more?
Animal shelters often face criticism, but FCHS is consistently revolutionizing the way shelters care for animals and engage with their communities.
If you ever have a question about how we work or the animals we serve, please reach out to our staff by email at mail@fchsohio.org or contact us on social media (Facebook OR Instagram). Together, we can do more for animals!
