Capital Campaign

Building a Better Future

Windham County Humane Society (WCHS) has been helping homeless pets in Windham County and beyond, since1887!

Over these hundred-plus years, homeless dogs, cats, and other animals in need have received food, shelter, medical care, and compassion through the efforts of our dedicated staff and volunteers. We have placed thousands upon thousands of animals in loving homes.

WCHS has grown in the past three decades from a humble operation to a progressive life-saving shelter, now serving more than 2,000 animals yearly.

While our old facility served us well, we have reached a point where we are not only limited by our current facility, but it is no longer operating as a safe, comforting place for people or animals.
Read our Case for Support and Watch WCAX News Coverage

The animals coming through our doors deserve to be cared for in a shelter that lowers their stress and doesn’t potentially expose them to disease through a broken ventilation system.

Click image to enlarge

To schedule a tour of the shelter, learn more about WCHS’s programs or immediate needs, check on a naming opportunity, or make a gift, please contact Maya Richmond, Executive Director at maya@windhamcountyhumane.org

New Building Highlights

Improved plumbing and drainage systems, flooring, sanitation, acoustics, and lighting to promote health and wellness for the shelter guests by addressing environmental conditions.
Air filtration and handling system that meets animal welfare standards of 10-15 air exchanges per hour.
A specialized chemical pump system in the dog kennels to ensure the kennels are sanitized, reducing disease transmission.
Modern kennel layout designed to reduce reactive barking by limiting people from walking through as a pathway to other places. Materials that absorb sound. More natural light.
Separate dog and cat areas for intake, sick isolation, proper surgery patients’ rooms to prevent disease transmission, and allow time for animals to de-stress after arriving and while recovering.
Centralized, dedicated, and improved animal laundry and kitchen space to ensure all animals always have clean bedding and pet meals and enrichment treats can be stored. New kitchenette for staff and volunteers so their food and medications aren’t co-mingled with the pets’.
A Meet and Greet Room for people to get to know a pet before adoption.
Dignified and private space for people to discuss pet retention options with pet owners, whether through veterinary assistance, spay/neuter support, or access to the Food Pantry before surrendering the pet to the shelter.
Capacity for expanding medical care with specialized equipment to allow medical services (blood tests, dental extractions/cleanings) to be performed in-house.
Separate Shelter Medical Suite allowing the veterinary team to provide immediate examinations on new animals and monitor and treat sick animals without having to move animals among rooms throughout the facility and exposing them to other animals.
Updated Multipurpose Community Room to accommodate various programs such as humane education visits, volunteer training, and community events. Free Roaming
Cat room for longer-stay or wide-body cats that need more space to explore to remain mentally healthy.
Catio – three-season space for cats to get out of their cages and enjoy some scents and sounds.
Updated fire & security alarms, phone and internet services, and outside lighting.
Re-configured dog play yard for multiple dogs.

Give to the Building Project

Pledge now online or download a pledge form and pay your pledge over two to three years.

Gifts of Cash
The easiest and most direct way of supporting WCHS’s Capital Campaign is a tax-deductible cash gift
Gifts of Stock
Avoid capital gains while taking a full-value deduction on your tax returns by making a gift of highly appreciated stock
Qualified Charitable Distributions
You can meet the required minimum distribution from your IRA by making a qualified charitable distribution of up to $100,000 per year; you’ll also lessen your taxable income
Matching Gifts
Many employers offer opportunities to match gifts
Planned Gifts
Include WCHS in your estate plans and leave a legacy of compassion

WCHS is a private, non-profit organization (501) (C3)

We are not affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States and receive no funding from national groups or the state. We are self-funded and sustained by gifts from people, local businesses and foundations.

Naming Opportunities

Change the world for tomorrow’s animals in your name or honor of a beloved friend, family member, or company. All donors giving over $1000 will be listed on the “Honor Roll” displayed in the shelter.

View: List of Opportunities

Building a Vision for Their Future

As we make strides in the planning and design of WCHS’ future building, we’ve drawn inspiration from modernized shelters throughout the country.

Bright, friendly kennels constructed of special material to replace rusting wire and cold, chipping cinder block.
Equipped treatment and surgery rooms with separate holding areas and warm recovery stations. Each with a sink to wash hands and surgery instruments.
Safe spaces for scared kitties to relax, and an open community room for the adventurous kitties.

These ideas are illustrated on the vision board gallery below. Please note that the images are intended for inspirational purposes only.