Business Details
Your Trusted Animal Shelter & Adoption Center in Harrisburg, PA
Founded with a mission to build a better community for pets and people, the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area (HSHA) has dedicated itself to compassion, protection, education, and collaboration. Serving Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry Counties, we provide critical support for homeless, abandoned, and lost pets while offering resources to individuals through programs designed to strengthen the bond between animals and their caretakers. Our commitment to achieving no-kill status reflects our belief that every healthy or treatable animal deserves a chance at life. In 2024, we reached this milestone by implementing strategies that lower adoption barriers, expand safety net programs, and enhance care for vulnerable animals. Through facility improvements such as temperature-controlled kennels and outdoor play yards, we ensure animals receive the highest quality of care during their stay.Our open adoption process fosters respectful conversations to match pets with suitable homes, while our Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) program offers a humane solution for managing community cat populations. As part of the Brandywine Valley SPCA family, we leverage national expertise to advance our mission. By engaging the community through volunteer opportunities, foster care, and educational initiatives like Critter Camp, we cultivate compassion and empathy in future generations. Our financial transparency, demonstrated through publicly available 990 forms and audited statements, underscores our dedication to accountability. With a focus on healing treatable animals and prioritizing safety for both pets and people, HSHA remains a trusted leader in animal welfare, driven by a vision where every animal finds a loving home.
Services
Adoptable Pet Adoptions
Foster Care Programs
TNVR Services
Veterinary Resource Center
Pet Food Bank
Lost & Found Services
Humane Education
Community Outreach
Critter Camp
Animal Surrender Prevention
Highlights and features
- We maintain a no-kill shelter with a 90% live release rate for treatable animals.
- Our open adoption process prioritizes respectful conversations to match pets with suitable homes.
- We offer a Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) program for community cat management.
- Our facility features temperature-controlled kennels and outdoor play yards for animal enrichment.
- We partner with Brandywine Valley SPCA to enhance resources and expertise in animal welfare.
Services
Adoptable Pet Adoptions
Our open adoption process matches cats, dogs, and small animals with loving homes through personalized consultations. We prioritize education about pet care and needs while reducing barriers to adoption. Available animals include vaccinated, sterilized companions with ongoing support resources for new owners.
Foster Care Programs
Temporary care programs provide critical support for animals needing special attention or socialization. Foster families help reduce shelter overcrowding while preparing pets for permanent adoption. Training and resources are provided to ensure successful placements for both animals and caregivers.
TNVR Services
Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return program humanely controls community cat populations through sterilization and vaccination. Cats receive ear-tipping and identification before returning to their original locations. This $50 service prevents euthanasia while maintaining ecological balance in managed colonies.
Veterinary Resource Center
Full-service veterinary care includes wellness exams, vaccinations, and medical treatments for shelter animals and community pets. Our licensed veterinarians provide spay/neuter services, diagnostic testing, and emergency care while maintaining strict health protocols for all patients.
Humane Education
Critter Camp and school presentations teach children about responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. Age-appropriate activities foster compassion, empathy, and understanding of animal needs through hands-on experiences with shelter animals and educational demonstrations.
People
Adam Lamb
Executive Director
Overseeing HSHA's strategic direction, Adam leads with 15+ years of animal welfare experience. He manages daily operations while advancing the organization's no-kill mission through community partnerships and program development.
Aspasia Yeager
Director of Operations
Aspasia coordinates shelter logistics and staff training to ensure efficient care delivery. With veterinary background, she implements best practices for animal health protocols and facility management across all programs.
Dr. Kelsi Nagy
Shelter Veterinarian
Dr. Nagy provides medical care for shelter animals and oversees TNVR procedures. Her expertise in animal health ensures proper treatment protocols while maintaining high standards for surgical and wellness programs.
Patrick Noll
Humane Law Enforcement Officer
Patrick investigates animal cruelty cases and enforces local ordinances. He collaborates with municipalities to rescue animals in distress while educating the public about responsible pet ownership laws.
Shay Payne
Community Engagement Coordinator
Shay develops outreach initiatives connecting HSHA with local residents. She organizes adoption events, manages volunteer programs, and promotes TNVR awareness through public education campaigns.
Questions
What is HSHA's open adoption process?
Our open adoption process uses personalized conversations instead of rigid applications to match pets with suitable homes. Staff guide potential adopters through pet care education and compatibility assessments.
Is HSHA affiliated with Brandywine Valley SPCA?
We officially merged with Brandywine Valley SPCA in 2024, gaining access to national resources and expertise while maintaining local operations in Harrisburg.
What defines a no-kill shelter?
A no-kill shelter maintains a 90% live release rate for treatable animals. We focus on rehabilitation, adoption programs, and community support to ensure healthy animals find permanent homes.
Do you accept exotic animals for adoption?
We shelter pocket pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds, plus horses and farm animals. Contact our Adoption Center for current availability of non-traditional companion animals.
How does HSHA handle community cat populations?
Our TNVR program sterilizes, vaccinates, and returns community cats to their original locations. This $50 service includes ear-tipping and microchipping to manage colonies humanely.
Can I volunteer with HSHA?
We offer various volunteer opportunities including animal care, event support, and administrative assistance. Visit our website to complete an application and attend orientation.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Nikki
Jun 20, 2022
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This is where we typically take our dog for her shots and now we are taking our cats too. They offer shots at extremely low prices to help pets stay healthy. The people at this place really care and it shows. They are great with the animals. They are quick as well. They get your pets in and out. There really isn't too much time for the pet or the owner to be anxious about their visit. They provide after care information and a rabies tag if you get that shot for your pet.
Melanie Roberson
May 24, 2022
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We had one of the worst days of our lives. We had to say goodbye to our beloved dog Kane of 16 1/2 years. Our hardest decision we have ever made. The friendly and caring staff made the process easier. Thank you
Melissa Danner
May 16, 2022
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Very compassionate! Great Vet and Vet tech. I cannot say enough good about how they treated me and my sick dog! Wonderful wonderful people
Amanda Vaillancourt
Apr 11, 2022
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They have so many doggies and kittens cats they were so nice to me and my patient who is looking for a dog and the little store they have in there is great.its not to expensive it has so many awesome dogs treats and cats I have 2 dogs and the 2 times I have been there I got so much stuff.at the front when you first come in the people working there Are wonderful.they also have candles And waxes and I bought some the first time and the second time and they last a long and smell so darn good even when I am not burning them the smell stays for a long time I really like the place
