History & Services

WCHS is the only shelter of its kind in the region. In 1985 there was no local entity dedicated to protecting animals. Upper Sandusky’s dog pound dealt with stray and unwanted dogs by either selling them to a research dealer or inhumanely terminating them. Cats were routinely dumped at the Fairgrounds. Our founders responded to this crisis by taking in stray dogs and cats and raising funds to spay and neuter them for placement. With this action, WCHS was born.

During those early years the organization was operated solely by the volunteer efforts of its two founders/directors (who remain volunteer directors to this day) and a few other dedicated individuals. They all worked full-time jobs then spent their evenings and weekends caring for a growing number of vulnerable animals. In 1987 they started a charitable Bingo, which became the primary source of funding for the shelter and continues to make possible the many services and programs available to the public today.

The founders’ combined backgrounds in medicine and business have helped WCHS grow from 3 kennels in their garage to a multi-location facility, including a shelter (which now houses up to 200 animals), an equine rescue and a low-cost spay/neuter clinic. In 1992 the garage was expanded into a 4,000 square foot shelter with 14 indoor/outdoor community dog kennels, separate areas for cats, critters and wildlife. Chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, pocket pets, birds, tortoises, turtles, snakes, other reptiles and even a monkey have been offered a safe haven.

The small animal shelter is prepared to take in any species, carefully documenting each animal through an electronic record-keeping system. Animals receive vaccines and other medical care during their time at the shelter and are monitored daily by trained staff who give hands-on care throughout each day, provide nourishing food and fresh water, offer basic enrichment and maintain clean enclosures. Cleaning protocols are supervised and kept up-to-date by WCHS staff veterinarians. Adoptable pets are made available to the public by appointment, and all animals are spayed or neutered, microchipped and fully vaccinated before they leave the shelter.

In 1993 they transformed the on-site barn into the area’s only low-cost spay/neuter clinic aptly named HOPE (Helping Our Pets Everywhere). The facility was totally rebuilt with fully-equipped operating areas and holding/recovery kennels for 60 animals. Now employing two full-time licensed veterinarians, certified vet techs and other support staff, HOPE alters an average of 9,000 animals a year for anyone. The clinic also serves all species of animals arriving at our facilities, many of whom arrive ill, injured or in need of veterinary care. Every adopted animal is spayed/neutered, microchipped and fully vaccinated at HOPE before leaving the shelter for their new home.

After the economic downturn in 2003 there became an increasing need for a shelter for equines. It began with a severely ill and underweight Belgian Draft Horse named Cedar, whose gentle, kind spirit brought to light the desperate need for horse rescue services in central Ohio. Since Cedar’s arrival, the Wyandot County Equine Rescue has housed horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, minis, alpacas and other hooved species from all over Ohio and several midwestern states.

Hundreds of equines have been placed through the efforts of WCER. With the donation of a large indoor arena in 2016, they can be trained year-round and made available for placement. An average of 50-60 equines are cared for at any given time. The farm is equipped to take in any equine in need of help, operating in compliance with all American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) care guidelines. No equine is ever turned away and no fee is ever charged for surrendering.

Over the years WCHS has provided outreach services throughout the state at the request of law enforcement and other animal welfare organizations— such as the rescue of 100 cats abandoned in Columbus; the removal and care of approximately 180 dogs, puppies, cats and kittens found dead and dying in a barn in Seneca County; and a multi-organization, several-year rescue of hundreds of animals in Portsmouth, Ohio. WCHS currently serves law enforcement by accepting all strays from Wyandot County in lieu of a dog pound as well as caring for seized and impounded animals of all kinds. By taking lost/found pet reports and scanning every stray for a microchip, lost animals are consistently reunited with their owners.

Since the late 80’s WCHS has also been an ODNR and USFWS licensed wildlife rehabilitation center, helping virtually all species of injured and orphaned wildlife. With two large aviaries, outdoor enclosures and other habitats available, thousands of animals have been treated, cared for, rehabilitated and released whenever possible. The organization is also committed to educating the public about responsible encounters with wildlife, encouraging people to leave animals in the wild (unless instructed otherwise by ODNR or a licensed rehabilitator like WCHS).

Perhaps most importantly, the shelter and equine rescue are staffed 365 days a year to care for, receive and adopt out helpless animals. Today, WCHS employs 32 full and part-time employees, a few of whom have been with the organization for decades. These dedicated individuals provide care for thousands of animals yearly. With plans to expand its properties and lines of service, the Wyandot County Humane Society counts on the continued support of its volunteers, donors, community partnerships, animal advocates, friends of the organization + local government to meet the growing needs of desperate animals and the people who care about them.