Our History
More than 70 years ago, a group of caring Lebanon County residents, having no possible means of predicting the changes to occur in years ahead, incorporated, defined a mission and charted a course for the Humane Society that has remained true and constant since 1939.
Shelter Mission: “The object of the society shall be to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty of animals; to enforce all laws designed for their protection and to secure in a lawful manner the arrest, conviction and punishment of all persons violating such laws. The society through dissemination of literature and employment of other methods, shall undertake to instruct the people to be kind and considerate in their treatment of animals.” -May 15, 1939
- 1939: Humane Society of Lebanon County was chartered.
- 1940's: Originated from humble beginnings as a converted chicken coop on North 9th Street in Lebanon.
- 1950's: Launched first capital campaign and established a “real shelter” on donated land on East Lehman Street. After only two years, neighbors’ complaints forced the Shelter to close, but proceeds from its sale made the purchase of the current Ramona Road property possible. Another vigorous fundraising campaign funded construction of the small building that still stands today beside the current Shelter. This building served as the animal shelter for more than 20 years and has now been transformed into the Spay/Neuter Clinic.
1970's: The Shelter struggled with overcrowding resulting from increased cases of neglect and abuse and an influx of unwanted and abandoned animals. A third capital campaign was launched, and the current Shelter was finally constructed in 1972.- 2010: Though tired and worn, the Shelter has served us well over the last 40 years and more than 100,000 animal guests.