he Humane Society of Freeborn County is a 501(c)3 non-profit, charitable organization.
We are dedicated to providing the means for the prevention of cruelty to animals, to enforcing all laws designated for the protection of animals, to promoting responsible pet ownership, and to placing all adoptable animals into responsible homes.
Together we can control overpopulation in our community with the education and assistance programs we provide.
The Freeborn County Humane Society was founded in September of 1976, by a small group of animal lovers who wanted to make a difference in the abandoned and unwanted pets of Freeborn County. We did not have a formal meeting place or a place to shelter the animals that were taken in. We did, however have a shelter fund, which was building up slowly but surely. We met several different places and kept the animals we took in foster homes, which were difficult to find. We had several foster home events trying to get people to foster, but that is hard to do when you take in an animal to foster as you get attached to them and do not want to give them up. We bounced around for many years and to many places. We were given up on a couple of times, and asked the public for help in keeping the Humane Society going. Finally we got together a great group of people who were truly dedicated to helping the Freeborn County pets. We still struggled with fostering and meeting places but finally got a small office space where we could hold meetings and maybe once in a while, sneak in a cat or two to foster at the office. In 2006 the city hired an animal control officer who was really pushing for the city and the Humane Society to work together for the animals. Our director got together with the animal control officer and started brainstorming on the city shelter. They worked it out to where the city and the county would take in animals and when the city animal's time was up, the Humane Society would take them over and try and get them adopted out. When we got them, they were checked over by the vet and given their shots and spayed or neutered. We applied for spay/neuter grants to help with these surgeries. The animal control officer left to take another job and that left our director at the shelter. She talked to the city officials and started working on a plan to where the shelter would be run by the Humane Society but still be the property of the city as a no-kill shelter. It was a long process but was finally put into effect. The city and the Humane Society were given an award for this joint venture in 2009.
Adoption Policy
Adoption Process
***Adoptions are done by appointment with pre-approved application only. Thank you for understanding!***
**Adoption application processing can take up to 1 week. Thank you for being patient. We will process your application as soon as possible.
**These animals are well worth the wait, we promise! Please remember to check your junk mail.**
*Keep in mind the animal you have applied to adopt may already have other applications in process for them, or they may be in the process of getting adopted. Applying does not guarantee the adoption of the animal you are interested in.*
After you submit the completed application, you will receive a confirmation email that your application was submitted successfully. Shelter management will then process the application, check vetting history, contact your landlord ( if applicable ), research references, and provide you with an adoption status of approved, tentatively approved, or denied.
When your application is approved, you will receive a link to set up an appointment to come in and meet the animal(s) you are interested in, and pay the adoption fee for your new best friend. Card payments are preferred for the adoption process.
Please bring a leash for adult dogs, or a secure animal carrier for cats, kittens, and puppies. Enjoy your new family member! If you have any questions, or concerns please give us a call, or send us a message any time.
General Adoption Requirements
• If you have a current pet, they must be up to date on vaccinations and spayed/neutered.
• If you currently own a pet or have owned a pet in the last 10 years, your vet's name is required to process.
• Maintaining vet records is part of responsible pet ownership. Full vaccine history, and spay / neuter status for all pets owned in the last 10 years is a requirement to adopt.
• You must be 18 years or older.
• Applications must be filled out completely. If the application is not completely filled out, we will not be able to process it.
• Animals will not be adopted to any college students living in a dorm.
• Animals may not be adopted as a "gift" for someone unless, all family members are aware of the adoption, and meet the animal before the adoption takes place.
• Dogs must not be left crated for more than 8 hours.
• If renting, approval from the landlord is required to keep the dog/cat on the premises.
• All applicants must be willing to receive a home inspection and meet and greet prior to adoption. (all family members and their pets must be present)
• If you adopt and cannot keep the pet for any reason, you must return the animal to The Humane Society of Freeborn County.
We reserve the right to refuse any application.
Adoption fees are non-refundable.
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