The Ingham County Humane Society was founded in 1936 by Mrs. Warren Hosmer. The name was later changed to the Capital Area Humane Society (CAHS) to better represent its service area.

CAHS serves companion animals primarily from Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties.

CAHS is a companion animal welfare organization, not an animal rights organization. It does not take a stand on such issues as hunting, trapping, furs or exotic pets. CAHS does not, however, sell any animals for laboratory research.

In 1993 CAHS completed construction of a new animal shelter with donations from the community. The new shelter is 12,400 square feet and provides humane care for up to 200-250 animals at a time.

Every year, over 8,000 companion animals receive some form of care from CAHS. Typically, one-fifth are strays which are surrendered to county animal control facilities per Michigan law. Of the remaining owner-surrendered animals, approximately 85% of those who are determined to be adoptable receive new homes.Those who have severe behavior or health problems, and those who no one will adopt, are gently and humanely euthanized.

The length of time CAHS keeps an animal depends on the following: the adoptability of the animal, the ability of the animal to adjust to shelter life, and the amount of space available to keep the animal. During the spring, summer and fall, animals may be kept only a few days due to the heavy influx of puppies and kittens that cause overcrowding. In the winter a well-adjusted, healthy animal may stay at the shelter an indefinite period of time.

CAHS places appropriate dogs with Leader Dogs for the Blind, Michigan State Police, the Lansing Police Department, and U.S. Customs.

Over 350 CAHS volunteers help the animals. They assist with reception desk duties, fund raising and special events, mailings, education programs, adoption counseling, shelter dog training, and in providing extra love and care for the animals.

CAHS does not receive any tax dollars. Two-thirds of the annual budget is generated by fund raising and special events. The other one-third comes from adoption fees.

Each year, approximately 30,000 people visit the new shelter.

The shelter is open to the public Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Hours for animal entries are Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CAHS allows adoptions of animals who will be kept primarily indoors. CAHS will adopt pets only to homeowners, and renters or boarders who obtain permission of the property owner or landlord. CAHS does not adopt animals who will be given as gifts.

Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906 (517) 626-6060


Mission Statement

The mission of the Capital Area Humane Society is to promote the humane treatment of companion animals through protection, placement, education and example.

To Achieve these Goals, We

- Operate a shelter and provide adoption programs - Promote the spaying and neutering of all companion animals - Educate adults and children about animal welfare issues - Advocate animal welfare - Investigate reports of animal mistreatment - The Capital Area Humane Society is a companion-animal welfare organization. It is not an animal rights organization. It does not involve itself with issues that are not directly related to the above mission statement.

CAHS receives no tax dollars and relies on donations, fund raisers, bequests (wills), and adoption fees to fund its programs. CAHS is not affiliated with other humane organizations or animal control facilities.