The need for a new shelter is critical.

Learn more:

The case for a new shelter

Why the need?

Some common misconceptions

Animals that come into the LCHS, do not have a timeline on their lives. Although this is uncommon, we had a dog at the shelter for two years before it was adopted. Every adoptable animal is given plenty of time to be adopted to a forever family.
Even though our name is Lewis and Clark Humane Society, we are not publically funded by the county. We are a private 501 (c)(3) and almost half of our revenue comes from the generosity of the people who live in the communities we serve.
Just because dogs bark in the kennels, does not mean they are aggressive or will be barkers at home. Even though these animals are loved and cared for, the shelter is a stressful environment and the animals do not always act the way they will at their “forever home.”

There are three main factors driving the need for a new facility:

1. Increased population:

The human population in the Greater Helena Area is growing rapidly, and with it the pet population.

2. Inadequate space.

The current facility is cramped and overcrowded. This puts animal health at risk while jeopardizing adoption rates and reducing the shelter's ability to provide public education on pet welfare.

3. Detriorating facilities.

Originally built 35 years ago, the existing shelter is literally falling apart. The expansions and improvements to the LCHS shelter and its programs over the past several decades have been substantial.

Adoption rates have increased, while euthanasia rates for dogs have dropped to 11% of the total dogs that come in to the shelter each year (compared to a10% to 40% nationwide average). Thousands of dogs and cats have been spayed and neutered, leading to fewer pets per capita being abandoned or relinquished.

Unfortunately, these achievements still fall short of meeting the community’s growing needs. The LCHS requires a new facility if this community-service organization is to keep pace with the region’s increasing human and pet population, continue improving pet care and treatment, and reduce euthanasia rates. A troubling indicator is a cat euthanasia rate at 51%. Though most of these are feral animals that would make poor pets, the LCHS still is forced to euthanize many adoptable adult cats and kittens each year due to lack of space.

What will happen if the LCHS continues with its current shelter?

Euthanasia rates would increase.

The growing pet population in the service area would mean more animals requiring shelter. That may require a decrease in the average time an adoptable dog or cat could spend there, reduce its chances for adoption, and increase the likelihood of euthanization.

People in need would be turned away.

The facility would be less able to help people driven from their homes by forest fires and other emergencies who are unable to take their pets into motels. Also, fewer women in domestic abuse facilities, such as the Friendship Center, could temporarily house their pets at the shelter, thus increasing the likelihood that they would not leave their abusive relationship. The shelter would also be less able to house animals suffering from cruelty or neglect.

Overall pet welfare in the region would decline.

The lack of education and public meeting facilities would mean fewer opportunities to provide information on spaying and neutering, solving pet behavior problems (which leads to abandonment), and animal welfare. Adoption rates would decline, denying would-be adopters opportunities to obtain an animal companion from among shelter animals in need of adoption.