Lewis County Humane Society

The Lewis County Humane Society's mission is to prevent cruelty and abuse in Lewis County and to provide education on humane treatment of animals to both adults and children of Lewis County.

The Lewis County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was incorporated on May 7, 1915. The purpose at that time was the prevention of cruelty to the animals of Lewis County. At the same time, the Lewis County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was also incorporated. Its purpose was the prevention of cruelty to the children of Lewis County.

On May 26, 1915, a motion was made to consolidate the two societies, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and that consolidated society be known as The Lewis County Humane Society. The main purpose of the Society remained as the prevention of cruelty along with the support of humane education in the schools. The humane education bill was sponsored in March of 1917.

On July 25, 1957, the Society was contracted by the Board of Supervisors of Lewis County for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals in Lewis County.

In 1979, the change in the New York State dog control laws required every town to have a Dog Control Officer. With this new law, dog problems were able to be effectively handled. However, Dog Control Officers were not legally able to handle the ongoing problems with stray cats.

After having been rendered inactive for several years, it was agreed that the Lewis County Humane Society needed to be reorganized. In this way, an Animal Control Officer would be able to deal with the stray cat problem. Controlling the stray cat population would also help prevent the spread of rabies. The Humane Society was reorganized on July of 1996 with James D. Hanno as president. This was achieved through the efforts of Mr. Hanno, Susan Wright, Nancy Hemmerich, and Cliff Cook. On November 22, 1996, Mr. Hanno passed on to manage the Great Shelter in the sky. Even though he can't be with us in body, his great love for animals and his spirit and guidance will always be with us.

The purpose of the Society is to provide a humane way of handling the cat and dog overpopulation in the county. Its mission also is to prevent animal cruelty and abuse in the county by aiding in the enforcement of the State's cruelty laws and by Humane Education in the schools in Lewis County. The Society will support spay/neuter programs to help reduce the overpopulation of companion animals. Facilities

Since 1998 the Shelter has been undergoing almost constant expansions and upgrading. With the increasing number of cat problems in the early 1990’s, many cages were added. The facility, at that time was known as Whispering Pines Boarding Kennel and Shelter. Cliff Cook had built, owned and managed the facilities up until this time. In 1998, Cliff donated the Shelter to the Humane Society. At that time, a separate cattery was built. By doing so he hoped that there would always be a place for the animals needing a place to stay until they find their owners or a new home. Cliff, Ingrid and their family continue to operate the shelter with the assistance of a devoted group of volunteers.

Note: PO Boxes will not show correctly on the map below.