Franklin County Humane Society

In 2025, Franklin County Humane Society (FCHS) continued to make a life-changing impact on animals in our community. We found loving homes for over 1,300 cats and dogs, reunited dozens of lost pets with their families, and provided lifesaving care for hundreds of vulnerable puppies and kittens.

Founded in 1981 as a foster network, we opened our Union, Missouri shelter in 1994. For more than 30 years, we have provided a safe haven to animals from Labadie, Marthasville, New Haven, Owensville, Pacific, St. Albans, St. Clair, Sullivan, Union, Washington, Villa Ridge, and beyond. We are proud to maintain a live release rate above 90%, meeting the “No-Kill” benchmark as defined by Best Friends Animal Society.

At FCHS, we remain committed to reducing pet overpopulation. Every adopted pet is spayed or neutered, and this year we continued distributing discount spay and neuter vouchers to help make these services more accessible. We also hosted free vaccine clinics and supported community-led trap, neuter, and return efforts for community cats.

Our work extends far beyond shelter walls. We provide free pet food and straw bedding to low-income households, offer discounted microchipping, and maintain a lost and found pet service. Through educational outreach, our staff and volunteers promote responsible pet ownership in schools and community groups.

Keeping our doors open costs approximately $2,600 per day. We rely entirely on donations, grants, adoption fees, and support from individuals and businesses. We receive no funding from county or state governments, and no funding from any national humane society.

Our Canine Ambassadors continue to bring joy and connection to the community. They participate in reading programs like Wagging Tales and Awesome Pawsome, helping children build confidence by reading to a calm, non-judgmental dog. Our volunteers and their dogs also visit schools and senior living facilities, offering comfort, companionship, and stress relief.

This Give STL Day, we are focusing on our nursery program, which provides lifesaving care for hundreds of orphaned and neglected puppies and kittens each year. As a shelter serving a rural farming community, we see firsthand the challenges these animals face. Without intervention, many would not survive. With your support, we can continue to give them the second chance they deserve.

Help us save lives. Donate this Give STL Day.