Humane Society of Young County

The Humane Society of Young County is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 1979 and continues to be the only open-intake facility in a more than 60 mile radius, serving the cities of Graham, Olney, and Newcastle, along with surrounding Young County. We utilize many rescues to help us save more dogs and cats, as we take in many more pets than we have adopters. HSYC takes in around 1000 animals annually.  We are fortunate to have a knowledgeable staff that can evaluate temperaments and health and help get our dogs and cats into appropriate homes. We also have a hard-working Board of Directors that not only financially help support the shelter, but also drive dogs and cats miles on short notice, pick up loads of food and supplies, foster dogs and cats until homes are found and help work our PETS Clinics that are on site for low-cost vet care. 

The P.E.T.S. Clinic comes to HSYC every month to provide low-cost spay/neuters/vaccinations/microchipping and heartworm/flea/tick prevention, along with other preventative care for the community's pets. The P.E.T.S. van comes to Graham monthly to transport dogs and cats to the Wichita Falls Clinic for even more spay/neuters. These surgeries are offered at an even lower cost to those who receive Government Assistance. 

Dr. Jaclyn Burke (former HSYC Board President who decided going back to school to become a vet would be more helpful to the shelter) has returned and provides a monthly "Fixin' Feral (& Free-Roaming) Friday, specifically to lower the outdoor cat population in the community. Last November, Dr. Burke and HSYC paired to bring our first Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic to the area. We plan to continue this service and to add even more vaccination clinics in our community to make sure these vaccines are as accessible to pet owners as possible.

We've added a dog quarantine area, Niko's Nook, to add space to house City & County animals that are a part of seizures by law enforcement due to cruelty or neglect cases. One of these cases had as many as 26 dogs coming into our shelter in one day. Having this room available allows us to help with these cases without having to make some very difficult decisions about how to make space in our 24 regular kennels when they are already full. Niko's Nook saved us from making those decisions, which would have been a very sad and hard endeavor. This building also holds medical/behavioral cases and serves as over-flow when needed. We are still working for the funding for permanent kennels needed for this building.

Our shelter has operated over-capacity continuously for over a year. The calls from owners wanting to surrender there pets seems endless. HSYC has 24 dog kennels and 51 cat condos and have been caring for 30-35 dogs and 60 or more cats. On one day in March 2026 we had 52 dogs in our care. We are exhausted and our resources run short. Costs are up and of course the need continues. Dog, puppy, cat, and kitten food, vaccinations, medications, enrichment, cleaners, utilities, and gas for hauling dogs and cats to adoption events and to meet up with rescues, the list of needs is always constant.

HSYC staff is always working to learn more and do better. Staff, Board, and volunteers hold multiple certifications from FEMA, AIR (Animal Investigation & Response) Responder, Fear Free, as well as Mattie's Fund and others. Four staff members have Euthanasia Certifications and have furthered their understanding and training through trainings with Lap of Love and Caeta (Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy). Our Director is currently working toward her Shelter Care Specialist (SCS) Certification from UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine. One staff member is enrolled in a Licensed Veterinarian Technician course and after passing the Texas State Exam will be the only LVT in Young County. Continuing Education hours are not required in our jobs, but our staff takes the job of improving our shelter and the care of the animals seriously.

Our shelter was built in 2002 and the kennels have been patched and repaired multiple times. Upgrades are needed to make the kennels more secure. In addition to the everyday costs to run the facility, trying to find the funding for these much needed upgrades is challenging.

As you can see, the need for care of homeless animals in Young County is great. Help the Humane Society of Young County continue to care for the dogs and cats that need us and help us continue the programs that help our community care for their pets!

Please spay and neuter your pets! (RIP Bob Barker) Adopt! Foster! Donate! Be a part of the solution!

70% of our yearly operating budget comes from community donors like you! Only 11% of our funding comes from our city and county government agencies. We are thankful for all our supporters!