The Henderson County Humane Society was chartered as a non-profit animal welfare organization in 1985. The society operated as a fostering/adoption agency until January of 1989. At that time the city of Athens requested that the society take over operation of the city animal shelter. We operated out of the old city shelter built in 1973. The city paid our utilities and gave us a monthly fee in return for our caring for city confiscated and citizen surrendered animals. We still have that agreement with the city of Athens and in addition we take in animals from municipal animal control programs and/or citizens of the county of Henderson.

In 1998, we opened the doors to a new animal shelter building paid for by the HCHS on land long term leased from the city of Athens. That building includes 24 indoor runs for dogs, a cat facility with occupancy of 35 and with a secure outdoor play porch.  In 2003 we completed a new building for our animal control operation and special-need animals.  During 2008 we were able to complete 10 additional outdoor runs for dogs that cannot tolerate indoor facilities and for incoming Animal Control charges.