A New Shelter. A New Standard of Care

For decades, Fort Defiance Humane Society has provided compassionate care to animals in need — rescuing pets, addressing cruelty, reuniting families, and helping thousands of animals find loving homes and second chances. But today, our current facility limits our ability to provide the level of care animals need and deserve. It’s time to build for the future.

We are launching a Capital Campaign to build a modern animal shelter that meets today’s animal welfare standards and supports the growing needs of our community.

 

Campaign Overview

Goal: $2.5 Million

Facility: 7,800 sq ft replacement shelter



Our Vision for a New Facility

The new humane society will provide a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment for animals, adopters, volunteers, and staff.

The new shelter will include:

  • Modern Dog Kennels designed to reduce stress and noise
  • Dedicated Cat Adoption Rooms with enriched living spaces
  • Veterinary & Medical Treatment Suite for sick or injured animals
  • Surgery & Recovery Areas for public spay/neuter clinics
  • Isolation and Quarantine Areas to prevent disease spread
  • Adoption Meet-and-Greet Rooms for families and pets
  • Dedicated Maternity Space for new puppies and kittens
  • Community Education & Volunteer Space for engagement opportunities
  • Outdoor Exercise and Play Areas to provide enrichment for the animals

This new facility will allow us to:

  • Improve our animal welfare standards
  • Enhance animal access
  • Improve safety and security for our staff and volunteers
  • Provide enhanced community education and support services
  • Expand our impact across the region

caring for pets

Naming Opportunities

Leadership donors will have the opportunity to create a lasting legacy while supporting the future of animal welfare in our community.

Gift Level Naming Opportunity
$500,000+ Building Naming Opportunity
$250,000 Dog Kennel Wing (2)
$250,000 Cat Room Wing
$200,000 Welcome Area
$100,000 Veterinary / Medical Suite
$100,000 Community / Training Room
$50,000 Outdoor Dog Pavilion
$50,000 Meet & Greet Room
$25,000 Cat Room (4)
$25,000 Maternity Room
$10,000 Individual Dog Kennel
$8,000 Outdoor Play Area Bench (4)
$2,500 – $5,000 Paw Print Recognition Wall (2 sizes)

Custom and memorial naming opportunities are available.

Why A New Building?

  • Our current facility does not meet current animal welfare standards. Our existing building was designed for a different era of animal welfare. The result:

    Animal stress levels increase Adoption experiences are constrained
    Disease transmission risk rises Community programming is restricted
    Staff efficiency is limited We have reached capacity – physically and operationally

  • FDHS and the county have two very different missions. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home the animals that come to us. For the county, the Dog Warden is a required position responsible for meeting the requirements outlined by the Ohio Revised Code.
  • We operate our private, non-profit, no-kill shelter out of a county-owned building, sitting on county-owned property. We are contractually obligated to take in all dogs picked up by the Dog Warden, regardless of temperament.
  • The Dog Warden used to bring around 30% of the total dogs we intake annually. As of 2025, that number rose to 60%. The dollar amount given to us annually no longer covers the costs of caring for the dogs brought in by the Dog Warden.
  • This arrangement also limits how we run our business, as nobody is able to predict when/how many dogs will be coming from the Dog Warden.
  • Options to renovate the existing building to meet animal welfare standards would be money spent on something we still do not own. We would not be eligible for grants to supplement improvements to a property we do not own. The option to purchase the building/land from the county at fair market value was denied.

Why Now?

  • We have board members with a passion for animals, our community, and this project. They have committed over $1,000,000 themselves to this campaign.
  • The cost of construction continues to rise as does the need for humane services.
  • Now is the time to build a facility that reflects our values and our commitment to the animals.

Be Part of the Future

Every gift helps create a shelter where animals receive compassionate care, comfort, and a second chance at life. Together, we can build a facility that reflects the generosity and heart of our community.

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Join the Campaign

Fort Defiance Humane Society

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Call Us419-658-2298

Because every animal deserves a safe place to wait for their forever home.