Who We Are
- The Humane Society of Scott County (HSSC) is a non-profit organization founded in 1902.
- We are one of the thousands of animal shelters across the United States that receive so many animals and so few resources.
- The shelter is funded entirely by donations and a fee is charged to the city and county for the care of the animals.
- We work hard to find responsible loving homes for these innocent creatures. We do not discriminate based on breed or age.
- We believe that it is wrong for anyone to fail to provide any animal with food, water, shelter, necessary medical care and companionship.
- We feel that the tragic state of pet overpopulation in the United States is every pet owner's responsibility. We urge you to join with us in our efforts to control dog and cat populations and eliminate the need for euthanasia.
- The policies for the shelter are regulated by the Board of Directors and implemented by the Executive Director, Ms. Pam Arndt, and the shelter staff.
Our Mission
The Humane Society of Scott County is committed to:
- providing humane care and treatment for all animals entrusted to us.
- caring and protecting those homeless animals that have been abused, neglected and/or abandoned
- educating the communities we serve about responsible pet ownership, the important of spay/neuter and the benefits of pets and pet adoption.
Our Purpose
- We provide shelter and care to 7000 lost, abandoned and unwanted animals each year in Scott County, Iowa.
- We do not turn away any animals.
- We offer a low cost spay and neuter program.
- We provide vital information to the public about animal care and safety, pet overpopulation and the importance of spaying and neutering through educational programs we present to schools, civic organizations and other interested parties.
- We investigate and take action on neglect, abuse, injured animal and other types of pet matters. We assist the police, sheriff's, fire and health departments.
- We offer many volunteering opportunities where teens and adults can help improve the lives of those animals entrusted in our care.
- A pet behavior counselor is available to answer questions and help make life with your pet all that it can and should be
A Little Bit of History
We were organized in 1901 and incorporated in 1902. We pledged, "Love, Mercy and Justice to Every Living Creature. I will try to be kind to all living creatures and protect them from cruel usage."
Our founders championed the rights of horses as they were the primary means of transportation at the time. We placed placards in the local livery stables to announce that we would "... prosecute all those who over drove, neglected, beat or in any manner cruelly maltreated their horses." We monitored and improved the condition of city streets during the winter months because horses routinely fell and sustained injuries due to icy road conditions.
In 1904, we purchased a "drink-fountain" so that teams of horses and other animals would have access to fresh water within the central business district.
In 1905, the society considered an ambulance for animals. A local doctor agreed to let us use his at no charge; however, there was no team of horses for said ambulance.
In 1906, we supported the noble endeavor of Miss Claire Lunback in her effort to have a law passed making the crime of wife desertion and non-support of family a felony.
In 1907, our animal control officer purchased 150 copies of the book "Black Beauty" and distributed them among area teamsters and drivers.
In 1908, we ruffled the feathers of a certain visiting charity association by making an appeal to the press for assistance on behalf of a needy family. We were advised to "leave off, at once, to meddle with charity cases and limit our activities to animal activities only." And so we did! We have remained exclusively devoted to animal issues since that time.
