Fort Smith’s Animal Shelter
HOPE Humane Society was established in 1937 and has been providing care for unwanted animals for over 79 years. We promote the notion that human and animal life are interdependent and that all animals, human and non-human alike, have needs and rights; most importantly, the right not to be abused but to be loved and respected for who they are.
HOPE Humane Society takes in all kinds of animals (birds, horses, goats, pigs, rabbits, snakes, etc.) and do our absolute best to give them all a fair chance for adoption. We take in animals from six surrounding counties in two states and have an average of 450-500 animals on any given day.
Since 2013, we have adopted out over 2,000 cats and over 4,800 dogs into loving homes and to loving families.
HOPE Humane Society receives no funding from the United Way or from the local, state, or federal government. We receive no funding from national animal organizations and no funding from the Humane Society of the United States. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that depends on the donations of individuals and businesses within our community to take care of over 6,000 animals each year. Without your support we cannot shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, or take care of the sick.
Since we start our no-kill plan in April 2016, we have decreased the number of cats put down by 93%, the number of dogs put down by 87%, and the plan is not complete yet. We have increased cat adoptions by 144% and dog adoptions by 232%.
To provide care for these animals we rely on support from people like you. Donations of cash, food, and supplies are graciously accepted. Come find a friend for life. No one will ever provide you with as much unconditional love and loyalty or greet you with as much enthusiasm as a pet will. Every animal in the shelter can provide you with boundless love and companionship, and every animal deserves a lifetime home.
Our Mission
The purpose of this society is the prevention of cruelty to animals, the relief of suffering among animals, the placement of animals in responsible homes, and the extension of humane education.
No Kill Plan
As of August 1, 2016 we are happy to say that thanks to the generous donation from the public and the support of Yeager’s, we have completed phase one of our plan. A free range cat room and kitten room have been completed, repairs to our a/c have been done, and puppy boxes have been added to the lobby. Our first run of advertising has started and thanks to all these items, adoptions are up. All of this has been done and we have money left over in our animal enrichment fund to get ready to start phase two.
We are also excited to say that thanks to a national foundation, we have received funding to help purchase a mobile adoption vehicle which was phase 3 of our plan. So they helped us jump ahead of phase 2. We will be receiving this vehicle in November or December, if not sooner.
Funds are still needed for Phase 2 of the plan as we begin repair and replacement of the dog kennels in the shelter. To handle both the repairs on 200 kennels and the replacement of others, we are looking at a total cost of around $45,000. We are also getting ready to start the next run of advertising to help increase adoptions even more. For this, the public and business community’s help is needed. You can sponsor a kennel, donate materials needed to do the repairs, or make a cash donation. *Please mark the donation for the Animal Enrichment Fund
Please contact Terrance or Raina for more information at 479-783-4395.
Shelter Statistics
You can follow along with us in our progress towards becoming a ‘no-kill’ animal shelter.
Dog Intakes
Click here for the detailed statistics.
Dog Adoptions
Higher numbers are better.
Click here for the detailed statistics.
Dog Transports
Higher numbers are better.
Click here for the detailed statistics.
Dog Euthanizations
Lower numbers are better.
Click here for the detailed statistics.
Cat Intakes
Click here for the detailed statistics.
Cat Adoptions
Higher numbers are better.
Click here for the detailed statistics.
Cat Transports
Higher numbers are better.
Click here for the detailed statistics.
Cat Euthanizations
Lower numbers are better.
Click here for the detailed statistics.
Dog & Cat Surgeries
Click here for the detailed statistics.
Volunteer Hours
Higher numbers are better.
Click here for the detailed statistics.
Our Staff
We are very fortunate to have a dedicated staff who all share the love for animals:
- Raina Rodgers – Interim Executive Director
- Terrance Richardson – Assistant Director
- Carole D Grimm-Shelton – Shelter Manager
- Marcus A White – Kennel Supervisor
- Chelsea Gahr – Volunteer Coordinator
- Amber D Neal – Transport Director
- Walter Gray – Social Media Manager
- Lisa Koenig – Administrative Assistant
- Heather Williams – Special Events Coordinator
- Tina M Worthey – Accounting / HR
Our Board of Directors
The members of our Board of Directors:
- Sam Terry – President
- William Buckley – Vice President
- Storm Nolan – Vice President
- LeeAnn Hicklin-Cox – Treasurer
- Stacie Cox-Gibson – Secretary
- Kitty Calvert – Cause for Paws Committee Chair
- Steve Carrillo
- Jessica Meredith
- Maverick (Darren Minor)
- Dr. Melanie Prewett, DVM
- Tracy Zigerelli
- Philip Merry
- Hazel Brown
Board Meetings
Upcoming
Thursday, July 12th, 2018
12pm (noon) at the Hampton Inn Fort Smith – get directions
Click here for the board meeting packet
Past
Thursday, June 14th, 2018
12pm (noon) at the Hampton Inn Fort Smith – get directions
Click here for the board meeting packet
Thursday, May 10th, 2018
12pm (noon) at the Hampton Inn Fort Smith – get directions
Click here for the board meeting packet
Thursday, March 15th, 2018
12pm (noon) at the Hampton Inn Fort Smith – get directions
Click here for the board meeting packet
Thursday, February 8th, 2018
12pm (noon) at the Hampton Inn Fort Smith – get directions
Click here for the board meeting packet
Thursday, January 11th, 2018
12pm (noon) at the Hampton Inn Fort Smith – get directions
Click here for the board meeting packet
Thursday, December 14th, 2017 – meeting was cancelled
12pm (noon) at the Hampton Inn Fort Smith – get directions
Click here for the board meeting packet
Thursday, November 16th, 2017
12pm (noon) at the Hampton Inn Fort Smith – get directions
Click here for the board meeting packet
Thursday, October 12th, 2017
12pm (noon) at the Hampton Inn Fort Smith – get directions
Click here for the board meeting packet
Shelter Tax Returns
HOPE Humane Society is a non-profit entity which means that your contributions are tax-deductible. We are also fully transparent which means that the public can see that all of the money we raise funds our mission of being the ‘no-kill’ animal shelter for the Fort Smith area.
Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Determination Letter
Arkansas Secretary of State Application for Fictitious Name for HOPE Humane Society