ABOUT US
Our Vision | Our Mission | Our History | Meet our Board of Directors & Staff
ABOUT NCHS
North County Humane Society is a California state-registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. North County Humane Society, a division of Action for Animals' Rights, serves all of San Luis Obispo County, California. The Humane Society operates the Margaret Raber Shelter for Cats and the Parfitt Adoption Center, a no-kill, for-life cat rescue shelter with cat adoption services.
OUR VISION
To live in a world where all animals receive compassion, respect, and humane treatment from all people.
OUR MISSION
The North County Humane Society (“NCHS”), a division of Action for Animals' Rights (“AFAR”), was founded in 1977. We are a "no-kill" cat adoption center/shelter. Our mission is to reduce pet overpopulation and to promote responsible pet ownership through spay/neuter and trap, neuter and release programs; provide shelter, care and socialization opportunities for domestic cats awaiting permanent homes; and advocate for the welfare and humane treatment of all animals through education efforts in our communities.
OUR HISTORY
North County Humane Society is a division of Action for Animals’ Rights (collectively referred to as “NCHS”), a State of California registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which was started in 1977 by Daphne Fahsing, Katherine Johns, and Marie Carlson. Today, NCHS operates the Margaret Raber Shelter for Cats and the Parfitt Adoption Center which is a no-kill, for-life, cageless cat shelter with adoption services located at 2300 Ramona Road, Atascadero, California.
During the early days of NCHS, commentary from the then San Luis Obispo County Director of Animal Regulation solidified the substantial need for NCHS services in San Luis Obispo County. In April of 1979, off to a great start and with support from the community, NCHS started the first ever Spay/Neuter Program (“Program”) in San Luis Obispo County, the success of which was recognized in the Shelter Sense Magazine produced by the Humane Society of the United States (“HSUS”). Due to the rural nature of San Luis Obispo County, NCHS in recent years has focused on the northern part of the county to realize the greatest impact and benefit from its variety of services.
Other more recent accomplishments include the implementation of several new programs. These programs include, but are not limited to: the NCHS Low Cost Microchip Clinic which is offered to both cats and dogs in the community; Guardian Angels Program which allows supporters to make monthly contributions directly towards the care of special needs kittens and cats; Healing Hearts Pet Loss Support Group which is a free pet bereavement support group; Community Education; and the Trap, Neuter, and Return Program, which involves humanely trapping feral cats and transporting them to a veterinary clinic where they are spayed and neutered, receive a health check and vaccinations, and can be treated for routine medical conditions. The Trap, Neuter, and Return program is widely recognized as the most humane and effective strategy for reducing feral cat populations and has been supported by NCHS and many local residents and rescue groups in San Luis Obispo County area.
Today, NCHS paid and volunteer staff members continue to carry the dream and vision held by Daphne Fahsing, Katherine Johns, and Marie Carlson back in 1977. NCHS specifically recognizes all members of the community which give continued support. Additionally, NCHS recognizes the City of Atascadero for its ongoing commitment and support of the Program which assists resident pet owners of Atascadero with the costs associated with the spay and neuter of their pets.
As of the 2010-2011 operating year, NCHS served approximately 330 animals with its Program which is up from the 208 animals served in the 2009-2010 operating year. This is an increase of 58% year over year. Today, as in 1977, the need for NCHS services is great with the ever growing population of San Luis Obispo County. NCHS staff and supporters invite you to research and get to know the organization further by visiting www.slonchs.org, www.petfinder.com, and Facebook.
PLEASE REVIEW OUR MANY PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF OUR LOCAL ANIMAL POPULATION.
