UPDATE: The Albany Woman’s Club delivered a significant boost to the Albany Humane Society on November 2, 2023, by donating essential supplies for the shelter’s urgent needs. During their meeting, members heard from Samantha Threadgill, the development director of the Humane Society, who outlined the shelter’s current challenges and how the community can provide support.
The Albany Humane Society rescues approximately 3,000 animals each year and currently houses nearly 250 animals between its shelter and foster homes. Threadgill emphasized the dire situation, stating, “This year’s been a rough one,” as the organization strives to maintain its No-Kill status, which requires that at least 90% of its animals leave alive. However, this year, the shelter has dipped below that threshold, raising alarms about the fate of many vulnerable animals.
“Imagine the stress of being in a shelter; it’s loud, it’s overwhelming,” Threadgill said, as she urged Albany residents to step up their support. She revealed that over 50% of the Humane Society’s budget relies on donations, making community involvement crucial.
In a bid to raise awareness and funds, the Humane Society is organizing a unique event for 2026 called the “Lick-in.” Participants will be “locked in” a kennel with a shelter pet and will set fundraising goals to be released. This initiative aims to simulate the experience of a shelter animal, highlighting the pressing need for adoptions and support.
Threadgill shared the story of Barbie, a dog who has been at the shelter for over three years. With space becoming increasingly limited, Barbie’s future is at risk, and the shelter is urging the community to consider adopting or fostering pets to save lives.
“Every little bit counts to help us help as many animals as possible,” Threadgill stated, encouraging both the Albany Woman’s Club and the wider community to volunteer and contribute directly to the Humane Society.
The time to act is now. The Albany Humane Society relies on community support to continue its operations and maintain its commitment to the animals. With urgent needs and increasing challenges, the call for donations and volunteerism is louder than ever.