The National Humane Society, 4039 Gunn Highway, provides shelter and food for animals who have been abandoned and neglected. 

Carol Childs is founder and president of the NHS, which is a no-kill, cage free, volunteer-based shelter and low cost spay and neuter clinic. Childs recently talked to Patch about what the organization does and how the community can get involved.

Patch: What do you do at the National Humane Society?

Childs: After 21 years of animal rescue, I hold the vision to end pain and suffering of unwanted animals. I carry the message that each person doing a small part can collectively end euthanasia as a means to control pet overpopulation.  Together, we can and are making a profound difference between life and death for orphaned animals. We are their voice. Our commitment to animals is beyond reproach.  The  shelter and local needs must be supported by the community for us to keep our doors open.

Patch: Why is it important for a community to have a NHS?

Childs: Pet overpopulation is a people problem. The National Humane is committed to changing  our current method of animal control. Animals must not be born to die. Unwanted animals are killed and put in land fills or incinerated like our own garbage.  

Patch: What types of animals to you house at the NHS?

Childs: We shelter orphaned cats and kittens, many of whom have special needs. Some are crippled or older, but all are orphaned.  They live in a home style setting.  Love, compassion and strong work ethics are abundant. It is funds where we fall short. Free or low cost spay and neutering is our  passion, and it makes sense.  My 21 years of experience has taught me that helping families spay their animals has a huge long term effect on our community. We have a very active trapping campaign for free roaming wild cats also.

Patch: What's the process someone would go through to adopt an animal?

Childs: Our adoption process is standard. Answering questions and conducting interviews to match the needs of our "furry kids" to new parents. Contracts are signed, all animals are blood tested, vaccinated, fixed, wormed and have flea control, and the families are coached on their care and must agree to return the cats to us if their situation changes. The spay neuter clinic is run several Sundays a month and to fix a cat is $35, and all animals already in the new home must be fixed before we place them in the new home.

Patch: How can someone go about volunteering at the NHS?

Childs: Volunteers are the heartbeat of our efforts, and donations are the blood flow.  Volunteers are caring people willing to devote one day a week to clean and love on the 30 to 40 cats we house.  Or, volunteering can be bringing in a bag of litter or food once a week, or helping to pay part of the electric bill.  Or, fostering an injured cat or young kittens. Donate time or money by visiting us on line at www.nationalhumane.com. E-mail me at nationalhumane@aol.com, or call 813-695-4777.