About Us

Our Mission:

The Humane Society of the Palouse is a no-kill animal shelter located in Moscow ID, founded in 1978. Our mission is to ensure the humane treatment, welfare and safety of companion animals in Moscow and Latah County. We strive to prevent cruelty to animals, to ensure companion animals are adopted by responsible and caring owners, to promote spaying/neutering, to educate the public regarding responsible pet ownership, and to minimize euthanasia.

The HSoP is administered by an elected volunteer board of directors. These are citizens of the Palouse who are interested in animal protection, adoption and education. These working directors donate time and experience to direct and help fund the shelter.

Our Vision:

Create a welcoming, caring and informed environment for all HSoP patrons. Be that staff, volunteers, potential adopters and owners needing to relinquish their pets.
Promote community wellbeing through our programs: SNAP, TNR, our pet supply pantry, and pet identification (microchips and name tags).
Develop innovative programs to promote humane education in aims to reduce the need for owners to relinquish their pets due to behavior problems.
To grow in our community through gaining and maintaining strong partnerships.
For HSoP to be short-term, temporary housing until the homeless animals under HSoP care find their forever homes.
To provide the animals under HSoP care with the best health care possible within HSoP’s abilities.

HSoP Core Values:

Help those who cannot help themselves.
Golden Rule: To treat all living things as we ourselves would wish to be treated.
Kindness: To demonstrate compassion and respect for all living creatures.
Positive influence: To judge our effectiveness by the extent to which animal lives are saved and improved, and by the positive experience of the people we touch.
Leadership: To lead by example, developing, promoting and sharing great new ideas and programs to help animals.
Authenticity: To do what we say we do.
Transparency: To be open and honest in our relationships.

Background

The Humane Society of the Palouse was founded in 1978. The city of Moscow had a pound facility and the two organizations teamed up together for the betterment of animal welfare for animals residing within the Moscow city limits, as well as for those residing in Latah County.

HSoP has a long history in our local pet community. We have been uniting pets with their forever homes for 45 years. We are dedicated to our mission and believe whole-heatedly in our practices. From a safe place that provides food, shelter and preventive care, to providing lifesaving surgeries, HSoP gives second chances to pets in need.

The City of Moscow owns and maintains the HSoP facility. HSoP is directed under the Chief of Police and reports directly to a designated captain. The City of Moscow pays for HSoP utilities such as water, sewer and electrical. They also provide us with $2400.00 each fiscal year for facility upkeep and maintenance. The City of Moscow also provides the funds for one pay period per month. The City of Moscow provides 22% of our yearly budget.

Latah County provides HSoP with 10% of our yearly budget. 35% of our annual operating budget comes from our generous community support through donations. For our 2016/2017 fiscal year, fundraising made up 8% and adoption fees contributed 10% of our budget.

HSoP is a community center striving to provide humane education for local pet owners. HSoP with the assistance of volunteer dog trainers, provide our community with training classes that focus on positive reinforcement and learning how to communicate with your canine friends. HSoP also has a Facebook page and Website section dedicated to humane education.

HSoP has a strict spay and neuter policy for any animals adopted from our organization. HSoP encourages national and local initiatives that reduce pet homelessness and resulting euthanasia. We believe programs like SNAP, as well as a strict spay/neuter requirement for animals adopted from HSoP, promote responsible pet ownership by reducing unwanted or accidental litters that contribute to the pet overpopulation crisis being experienced nationwide. An average cat has 1-8 kittens per litter and 2-3 litters per year. During her productive life, one female cat could have more than 100 kittens. A single pair of cats and their kittens can produce as many as 420,000 kittens in just 7 years.

We receive grants that are contingent on HSoP maintaining a strict spay and neuter program. Grants make up 13% of our yearly budget.