As one of the first and oldest no-kill shelters, The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City celebrates 100 years of faithful service to the lost, abandoned, and broken pets of the Greater Kansas City area. Our mission is to save and improve the lives of dogs and cats throughout the Greater Kansas City community by providing education, adoptions, preventive veterinary care and spay/neuter services. Each month we save hundreds of animals -- some abandoned and forgotten, some badly injured -- some needing our low-cost veterinary services and some whose time would have been up at another shelter if not for us. We are a no-kill facility... our work is never done. We cannot accomplish what we do without you!
Every day we save lives at our no-kill shelter.
Meet four pets whose lives have changed and how our staff, volunteers
and donors make it happen.
Thank you to John Couture, with help from Val Anderson,
for creating this video.
Our History
Founded in 1912, we are the oldest existing humane society in metropolitan Kansas City. We were originally called The Humane Society of Wyandotte County. Sarah Jacobs is credited with our founding, along with her sister Henrietta Jacobs and assistance from the Council of Clubs. In 1970, we changed our name to The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City and continue to this day to serve the entire metropolitan area. Learn more >
Our Facility
After 40 years at our location on Minnesota Avenue, the need for a new facility was met when we relocated to our current facility at 5445 Parallel Parkway in Kansas City, KS. Our building is 10,000 square feet and located on ten acres. The move allowed us to expand our services at the time. Twelve years later, we find ourselves needing to expand even more to accommodate our growing need in the community. Our new expansion would allow us to increase the services we provide including adoptions, education, low cost spay/neutering and preventive care for the animals.
Our Services
Adoptions: Your best friend is waiting for you!
In 1994 we became the first no-kill shelter in Kansas City. We find homes for 97% of the pets in our care. Our dogs and cats come from the Kansas City, KS Animal Control shelter through our Ray of Hope program. Only pets with untreatable medical issues or extreme behavioral problems are euthanized and we have no time limits for how long a pet may stay. Pets are examined by one of our staff veterinarians upon arrival and treated for any medical problems they may have while at our shelter. Through donations to Gabriel's Fund, we are able to save the seriously sick and injured who otherwise would not have a chance.
Our dogs have indoor/outdoor dog kennels with big play yards. Most of our cats do not live in cages. They are free to lounge and play in rooms filled with cat furniture and toys. By adopting a pet from us you'll not only be giving that pet a good home, but also opening up a space for another homeless pet who needs our care.
Ray of Hope: Saving lives at Kansas City, KS Animal Control
In January of 2009, we began the Ray of Hope program, working directly with the KCK Animal Control shelter to reduce euthanasia in the city shelter. Ray of Hope utilizes a network of no-kill shelters, rescue groups and breed rescues. Funding for Ray of Hope allows the dogs and cats at the KCK Animal Control shelter to be spayed/neutered and to receive medical examinations and vaccinations. To help find homes for the pets available for adoption at the The KCK Animal Control shelter, Humane Society volunteers conduct weekend satellite adoption events.
It's been a huge undertaking but the results have been amazing. Through our Ray of Hope partnership with KCK Animal Control we have been able to make Wyandotte County the first and only no-kill county in our region.
Veterinary & Spay/Neuter Services
The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City provides low-cost spay/neuter services and preventive veterinary care services for the public. Our clinic helps people on a limited budget care for the veterinary needs of their pets, and saves lives by reducing pet overpopulation through spaying and neutering. Through individual client meetings, our vet staff also works with pet owners to educate them about proper and responsible pet care. By providing education and affordable services, we're able to improve and save the lives of thousands of pets in the Greater KC community.
In 2011, our veterinarians spayed or neutered 5,505 pets. Our staff served 23,749 pets in our preventive care clinic. We are able to offer these services because our costs are subsidized by private donations.
Humane Education
We believe education is the key to ending cruelty toward animals and creating a more compassionate community and one with no more homeless pets. Most dogs and cats in shelters are just like those pets living happy lives in people's homes-- the only difference being they did not have someone to give them love, responsible care and a lifetime commitment. All pets deserve a good home, and through education we can improve and save the lives of pets in our community.
In our Humane Education programs, we teach the importance of compassion toward animals, responsible pet care including spaying and neutering, and how to be safe around pets. Presenters accompanied by a pet may be scheduled to come to your school, church or civic/community center. We also offer presentations and tours at our facility. Programs are usually offered Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am and 5:30pm.
Come see us! Schedule a Tail-Waggin' Tour
We invite you to come out for a tour, meet our furry friends, and learn more about what we do! We're always looking for people who believe in our mission and who want to help out by becoming volunteers, financial supporters, or adopting one (or more!) of our wonderful dogs and cats. To schedule a tour, call Christi Campos at 913-596-1000 ext. 114 or send an email.
Fun fact: No stock photos were used in the making of this web site! All of the pet photographs displayed are actual pets currently at our shelter or who've been adopted; all of the people are HSGKC volunteers, adopters, staff, donors or event participants.
- THE HUMANE SOCIETY
OF GREATER KANSAS CITY - 5445 parallel parkway
- kansas city, kansas 66104
- 913.596.1000 phone
- 913.596.2483 fax
- ADOPTION HOURS tuesday-friday 11-5
- saturday 9-4
- sun-mon closed
- or by appointment
- CLINIC HOURS >
copyright 2013 HSGKC