Humane Society of Northeast Iowa

HSNEI promotes animal welfare and strengthens the human-animal bond by providing shelter and adoption services, animal control assistance, affordable veterinary and wellness care, spay-neuter assistance, humane education, and community support throughout Northeast Iowa, with veterinary services also available to residents in adjacent areas.

HSNEI relies on donations, fundraising events and campaigns, and grants to cover operational costs and to support its mission.

HSNEI is a private nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. It is not affiliated with or funded by any national group, nor does it receive financial aid from state or federal government. It does receive and appreciate funds for services from city and county governments in its 5-county area. Donations, bequests, grants, special events,and adoption and service fees fund its operations and programs. HSNEI is a tax-exempt organization recognized by the IRS (EIN: 42-1447461). No goods or services are provided for donations.

Adoption Program and Animal Shelter and Care: HSNEI adopts pets into the community, which improves mental health and provides companionship. For many, pets are an important part of their lives, and we facilitate and help to maintain these positive relationships. HSNEI operates an animal shelter providing temporary care for homeless, surrendered and stray animals while facilitating placement in adoptive homes. All animals receive veterinary examinations, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and behavioral assessments prior to adoption. HSNEI's adoption counseling process matches animals with appropriate homes based on lifestyle, experience and family needs, promoting successful, lasting placements. The shelter also provides support services to pet owners facing changes, including behavior consultations and resource referrals, helping families keep pets in their homes.

Community Health & Wellness Program: HSNEI enhances resident well-being for people and animals by providing animal control support, neighborhood wellness clinics, and animal overpopulation management. We collaborate with local authorities to support pet families, keeping pets in homes and reducing stray populations.

We intake cats and dogs from residents and animal control agencies, decreasing the number of free-roaming animals. Our no- and low-cost prices ensure no pet is turned away because of financial constraints.

Uncontrolled cat and dog populations contribute to the spread of zoonotic diseases that can impact human health. Continued overpopulation spreads diseases and weakens the environment. Each year, we see more diseases and weakened conditions in the kittens brought to HSNEI. In recent years, and there has been a notable rise in animals euthanized, lost, or dying, according to Shelter Animals Count data. HSNEI's Free-Roam Cat Program practices We implement integrated proactive strategies— Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (TNVR), annual vaccines, and spay/neuter surgeries, and food reduction and managed schedules to to combat overpopulation, reduce unnecessary euthanasia, and decrease the spread of diseases.

Humane Outreach & Education Program: This program fosters more compassionate neighborhoods by providing school programs, community events, informational materials, and partnerships with local public schools and libraries and the State of Iowa Extension Services. Participants interact with dogs and cats., enhancing their understanding of responsible pet ownership and humane interactions

We work to educate residents about community health, a safer environment, and a compassionate community that values healthy people and pets. These efforts directly contribute to a better-informed community by teaching kindness, developing empathy, and cultivating compassion toward animals, people, and the natural world.

Support for Underserved Communities & Low-Income Families: Many families in NE Iowa struggle to afford pet care, leading to lack of funds to pay for standard care, core vaccinations, and spay/neuter surgeries. HSNEI provides no- and low-cost spay and neuter surgeries, microchips, and nail trims for pet families and a safety net for cats and dogs who need care and attention when their owners cannot provide it.

Volunteer & Foster Program: Volunteers play a crucial role in daily operations, from animal enrichment to administrative tasks. Our foster families provide temporary care for shelter animals in their homes until they can be matched with adoptive homes. This volunteer services (HSNEI pays for all expenses) shortens the time animals live at the shelter, improves behavior, and increases the odds of a successful adoption while it also reduces the number of animals living at the shelter on a daily basis.

Emergency Response: HSNEI is part of the emergency response center in case of natural disasters, abuse cases, and other crises. We provide temporary shelter and care for animals displaced or affected by such events here, or in the case of Texas dogs affected by storms, as part of a national care network to relieve the burden of affected shelters.

Wellness Center: HSNEI's new Wellness Center will provide comprehensive, low-cost veterinary services to the community, including medical care, behavioral support, preventative services, and diagnostic care. This expansion addresses a critical need for affordable pet care in Northeast Iowa, ensuring that more families can access the resources necessary to keep their pets healthy and thriving.

The Wellness Center represents HSNEI's commitment to addressing the whole animal through physical health, mental wellness, and community support. Services will be available to the public at affordable rates, helping to reduce barriers to quality veterinary care.