History of PCHS
In 1991, the Mayor of Bolivar, Missouri called a group of concerned citizens together to discuss the problem of stray and abandoned cats and dogs in the area. This meeting resulted in the creation of Polk County Humane Society (PCHS) on August 13, 1991.
Polk County Humane Society drafted a constitution including a no-kill shelter policy. Federal tax-exempt status was sought and granted. A board of directors was elected, two hourly employees were hired, and volunteers were recruited. Several families opened their hearts and their homes to foster the animals until forever and suitable homes could be found.
In 1996, Polk County Humane Society raised funds through events and donations and a grant from the Margarite Doe Foundation to construct an addition and improve the current shelter facility.
In 2001, PCHS began utilizing PetSmart adoption clinics on a weekly basis so that rural Polk County dogs and cats would have more adoption opportunities in the greater Springfield area. On December 1, 2006, Going to the Dogs resale shop was opened to aid in raising funds for PCHS. This store takes donations of household items from the community for resale; all proceeds go to feeding and caring for the animals. In 2007, PCHS took steps to create a new no-kill shelter that would better serve the community.
Between 2007 and 2009, PCHS has averaged 400 adoptions per year while continuing to work on the new shelter. The new shelter was completed in 2009 and has the capacity to house 40 dogs, 16 puppies, and 20 cats.
On October 1, 2010 we opened the doors to our new shelter. To assure the success of the shelter, we closed the thrift store and focused our efforts solely on the animal shelter in early 2011. To continue receiving the funding necessary and available to us from donations of housewares and what-nots, we rented a booth at the S.T.D. Thrift Store East in Springfield, Missouri.
Our staff size remains the same, but our team of volunteers continues to grow.
