With your support, Animal Humane Society continues to advance animal welfare and shape the way organizations care for animals and engage their communities.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reduced AHS’s program capacity throughout fiscal years 2020, 2021, and 2022, in a typical year, AHS cares for more than 17,000 dogs, cats, and critters in our shelters and provides programs and services that positively impact the lives of nearly 100,000 animals across Minnesota.  

Adoption and surrender

Animal Humane Society helps thousands of dogs, cats, and critters in need find loving homes each year. Our commitment to open admission guarantees safe refuge to every animal that comes to us for help. Innovations and investments in medical treatment and behavioral rehabilitation ensure that we can help animals with even the most significant challenges. As a result, in FY22 we placed 93% of the animals entrusted to AHS’s care, up from 59% in 2008. 

The success of Animal Humane Society’s shelter program is reflected in three key measures: the total number of animals admitted for rehoming, the percentage of animals with live placements (placement rate), and the average length of stay in shelter. Although our adoption and surrender programs were curtailed by COVID-19, AHS continued to achieve strong results across all three metrics. 

Placement rate is determined by using the Asilomar Live Release Rate formula, which is calculated by dividing total live outcomes (adoptions, transfers, and returns) by total outcomes (total live outcomes plus animals euthanized and died in shelter). Companion animals that remained in our care and those surrendered to AHS for end-of-life services (euthanasia patients) are excluded from this calculation.

Robust medical and behavioral programs contribute to this continued success.

• 7,180  spay/neuter surgeries in shelter
• 2,443 shelter animals enrolled in behavior programs
• 9,915 diagnosed and treated conditions

Companion animal intake total: 12,969

Companion animal intake by reason for surrender

Companion animal intake by species

Companion animal placement total: 11,964

Companion animal placement by type

Companion animal placement by species

Companion animal euthanasia total: 828

Euthanasia by reason*

Euthanasia by species

*AHS is committed to taking in every animal in need. Unfortunately, some animals come to us with severe or untreatable illnesses or behavior issues that prevent us from placing them in the community. If we cannot help an animal become healthy or suitable for placement, humane euthanasia is the most compassionate alternative. There is no time limit for animals in our care. More information about these statistics.

Affordable veterinary care

Animal Humane Society’s Veterinary Centers provide low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and full-service veterinary care on a sliding fee scale, expanding care to animals whose options would otherwise be limited. In September 2020, we opened a new public veterinary center in St. Paul, Minnesota to expand these efforts.

• 6,063 animals sterilized
• 5,768 exams, wellness visits, dental, and specialty services provided to families seeking affordable veterinary care
• 1,625 animals received end-of-life services at AHS at the request of their caregivers

Community engagement

Animal Humane Society works with individuals and organizations across Minnesota to create a more humane world for animals, including:

• Outreach to under-engaged communities, including education programs and free or low-cost services that empower low-income people with pets and improve the lives of pets.
• A pet food pantry that distributed more than 35,500 pounds of cat and dog food to Minnesota families in need.
• Education programs that foster humane values and compassion for animals, including day camps, a youth club, and other activities for kids and families.
• A Community Cats program focused on reducing euthanasia and providing alternative solutions for feral and free-roaming cats through return-to-field and trap-neuter-return programs. This program served 1,477 cats.
• A partnership with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota that provided emergency care for 17 injured and orphaned wild animals. 
• A robust volunteer program that enlists hundreds of active volunteers in providing animal enrichment, foster care, shelter support, and other assistance. Volunteers provided foster care for 997 animals before adoption.

Pet services

AHS offers programs to serve all stages of an animal’s life, including:

• More than 100 family-friendly pet training classes each week, along with one-on-one training and socialization sessions, therapy animal courses, playgroups, and rabbit agility classes. 1,416 pets attended classes and private training sessions through AHS’s training programs.
• A free Pet Helpline (952-HELP-PET) that handled 68,837 incoming calls, providing caring, compassionate advice and resources.
• Compassionate end-of-life services, including euthanasia for 1,625 pets and a weekly pet loss support group.
• Online pet resources, including a behavior resource library.

Rescue

Aiding animals in critical situations is core to Animal Humane Society’s work. Our humane agents respond to reports of possible animal cruelty or neglect throughout Minnesota. They receive reports about animals that are lacking proper food, water, and shelter. They also participate in larger, more complex cases involving cruelty, with on-site investigations and seizures aiding law enforcement agencies that seek AHS assistance.

In FY22, our Humane Investigations unit received 1,791 requests for assistance and opened 972 formal cases. Follow-up investigation and forensics of these cases took AHS agents into 81 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. Those investigations impacted the lives of 7,002 animals.

AHS took in 3,225 animals from other animal welfare organizations throughout Minnesota and other states, finding homes for animals that would otherwise face euthanasia in overcrowded facilities.

Financials

Statement of financial activities

For the 12 months ended June 30, 2022

AHS exceeds standards of accountability

The Minnesota Charities Review Council’s Standards of Accountability state that at least 70% of an organization’s annual expenses should be for program activity with not more than 30% for management, general, and fundraising expenses combined. Animal Humane Society exceeded this standard by directing 71% of our expenses back into programming for the animals and our community.

FY22 Board of Directors

Marianne Barnett, Vice Chair
Diana Purcel, Treasurer
Donna Zimmerman, Past Chair
Susan Blaska Lindahl
Lisa Erickson
Dr. Bianca Fine
Greg Foster
Mary Giesler
Sarah (Sally) Godfrey
Lisa Hannum
Heather Manley
Dr. Laura Molgaard
Kelly Palmer
Janelle Dixon, President and CEO

Leadership

Janelle Dixon, President and CEO
Eileen Lay, Chief Operating and Financial Officer
Lisa Bonds, Chief Advancement Officer