Refer to What Do I Do? pages  for information on helping lost, found, or injured animals.

Download LCHS 101 - a handy two-page primer on LCHS.

Why LCHS?

LCHS was founded to overcome the lack of animal care and control services for residents in most of Leavenworth County, as well as to provide humane education, spay/neuter and vaccination support, feral cat Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR), and foster/adoption for pets that come into LCHS care.  Leavenworth County is currently the only county in the Kansas City metropolitan area without a no-kill animal shelter.  One major goal is to build and operate the centrally located, state-of-the-art, no-kill animal shelter that people and pets in Leavenworth County deserve.   We envision a shelter that supports Leavenworth County now, and well into the future.

Who does LCHS serve?

While our services may be available to any Leavenworth County resident or pet, our main focus is helping in those areas currently unserved or underserved by existing Animal Care and Control agencies and services – Basehor, Easton, Linwood, Tonganoxie, and the unincorporated areas of Leavenworth County.

Is LCHS part of the Humane Society of the U.S.?

LCHS, and all local Humane Societies, are independent entities, not branches or subordinate groups of the Humane Society of the U.S.  LCHS takes advantage of the training, education resources and potential grants available through the Humane Society of the U.S., just as we seek out and use resources available through other large and national animal welfare organizations.

What is LCHS’s relationship with Leavenworth Animal Control?

Leavenworth Animal Control is a Division of the Leavenworth Police Department.  As compassionate as their officers are, their main focus is providing public safety and health services, and enforcing Leavenworth and Kansas animal laws and ordinances.

The leadership and staff of Leavenworth Animal Control shelter work very hard to reunite pets with owners, and to adopt pets to great homes.  Unfortunately, not every pet is easy to place, so those animals who are not reclaimed or adopted, or who require expensive medical treatments, are sometimes euthanized to provide space for incoming animals.

LCHS completely supports the City of Leavenworth’s plan to build a new, larger Animal Control Shelter in 2013.  It is sorely needed.  We completely support Animal Control having a larger staff, increased funding, a staff veterinarian and tons of volunteers.  Whatever helps the animals is good for everyone.

Based on the availability of foster homes, LCHS sometimes takes pets in danger of euthanasia from county Animal Control agencies into our foster program and works to find them suitable, loving, forever homes.

LCHS sometimes sponsors veterinary treatment to include spay/neuter and vaccinations for animals held by Animal Control agencies to help make them more easily adoptable.

Some LCHS Members and Friends and supporters also volunteer with Animal Control agencies.

LCHS works in cooperation with veterinarians, rescues, animal welfare, animal services, and animal control entities throughout the area to help as many animals as we can based on availability of foster homes and in line with our vision, values and mission.

What is LCHS’s relationship with LAWS?

LCHS supports the goals and efforts of Leavenworth Animal Welfare Society.  We have much in common.  We all want to help pet animals.

There are two main differences between LAWS and LCHS.  First, LCHS‘s focus is county-wide, with special emphasis on those areas currently unserved or under-served by existing animal care and control operations.  Second, LCHS is determined to build and operate the centrally located, state-of-the-art, no-kill Community Animal Care Center that the people and pets of Leavenworth County deserve and demand.

Why not just build a taxpayer supported shelter to serve the whole county?

LCHS will never operate a shelter where government or law enforcement alone make decisions about which animals get to live and which must die.  We believe that is a decision that should be made in the best interests of the animal, based on a veterinary recommendation and with consideration for the public health and welfare.  Making space will not be a reason for euthanasia at LCHS’s shelter.

Who runs LCHS?

LCHS is led by a Board of Directors, and governed by the Members.

When will LCHS have a shelter, and where will the shelter be?

As a relatively new organization, LCHS undertands that it takes time to develop an organizational history and financial record that major donors, funders, lenders, and grantors respect.  Only then will they feel confident investing in us and in our future.  While we have not selected a location, we hope to locate the shelter where it will be convenient for all residents of Leavenworth County.  We hope to place the shelter where there is access to major trafficways, and with a view to the future areas of growth in our county.  We are building this shelter for Leavenworth County residents of the future as well as for those here now.  In the meantime, we work very hard to help as many animals as we can and to prevent the birth of un-homed pets, while we work to develop relationships and support that will help to build and operate Leavenworth County’s no-kill shelter.

What animals does LCHS take in?

LCHS may only intake animals relinquished by an owner – to include a veterinary clinic, shelter/rescue or individual.  We are prohibited by state law from taking in stray animals.  In the case of injured animals, LCHS will cooperate with law enforcement or individuals to secure immediate life-saving care, and then take the animal into our foster program once a government entity or veterinary clinic becomes the legal owner of the animal.

Who can foster for LCHS?

Just about any adult can foster, but not everyone can foster well for every pet.  LCHS chooses foster homes based on the family’s preferences, lifestyle, and home situation and the needs of the pet.  Our foster chair will visit potential foster homes prior to securing their Kansas state foster license, and prior to placing any pet in their care.

What is the LCHS adoption process?

LCHS takes applications from interested parties, does appropriate background and reference checks, and may ask to visit prospective homes to help select the best home possible for every LCHS pet.  LCHS strives to place animals only after they are fully vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped.  If sterilization is delayed due to the age of the pet, or other veterinary medical reason, LCHS must collect a spay/neuter bond, which is refunded once the adoptive home provides proof of sterilization (within 6 months).  Adoption fees are based on the average cost for preparing healthy pets for adoption, and allows LCHS to help other animals in the future.  LCHS adoption fees are comparable to those of other rescues/shelters in our area.

What is MILPAWS?

Thanks to a grant from the Fort Leavenworth Spouses’ Club, LCHS offers a program based on need to military members who may otherwise not be able to provide for veterinary care for their pets.   Applications are available by e-mailing LvnCoHS@live.com, or through the Veterinary Treatment Facility on Fort Leavenworth.

What is TNR?

Trap/Neuter/Return is an effort to sterilize and vaccinate feral (free-roaming, barn) cats to prevent overpopulation and protect the health of existing cats.  The ideal is to return feral cats to their present homes.  If that is not possible, we will work with caregivers and attempt to find new “barn homes” where the cats will be monitored, fed and sheltered.  If the feral cats have borne kittens, we will work with caregivers to either take the kittens into foster care, or help the caregivers place them in appropriate homes.

Who can volunteer for LCHS?

Any adult who is interested in helping, who has no history of animal abuse or violent crime including domestic violence, may volunteer with LCHS.  Teens may volunteer in select venues, or under the supervision of a parent or guardian.  Since LCHS is staffed entirely by volunteers, there are many opportunities to serve.

How do I donate?

Monetary donations are accepted through the website via Pay-pal or credit card, by mail, or in person at any LCHS event.  Donations of items to assist with the care of animals should be coordinated with an LCHS representative.  Memorial, Tribute, and Planned Giving opportunities are also available.

What is Humane Education, and how do I get a speaker?

Humane Education seeks to help people of all ages learn about LCHS, animal care, and humane living.  Existing lesson plans or tailored presentations may be requested for school and community groups.  Contact LvnCoHS@live.com to schedule a speaker focused on your group’s interests and desires.

What is Domino’s Legacy?

Domino was a 6-month old pup, hit by a car on a county road.  A caring citizen notified the Sheriff’s Department, and they called us.  LCHS provided emergency care to Domino, but he was too badly injured to survive.  His life ended far too soon, but he lives on through contributions to Domino’s Legacy.  This fund provides emergency care to injured or ill ownerless pet animals.

What is Bequeath and Beyond?

Bequeath and Beyond is a special group of LCHS supporters who have shown their love for animals by including LCHS in their will, as a life insurance beneficiary, or by donating financial instruments or charitable annuities to LCHS.

What is Forever Love?

Forever Love allows pet owners to arrange for care of their pets when the owner passes away by making a donation to LCHS.  Upon the donor’s passing, LCHS will intake the pets and place them in new, loving forever homes in accordance with the deceased’s wishes.