Sep 9, 2018 3 min read

The Washington Area Humane Society had been in existence for more than a century and operates as the largest and oldest no-kill shelter in Washington County.

It was incorporated in March 1906 with the specific purpose of preventing cruelty to animals. Due to a lack of funding, the society was inactive for several years before a trust made possible through the will of Clara Lockhart led to the inauguration of the humane society in 1931. The income for the trust was not used for another 20 years. In the early 1950s, the American Humane Society reactivated the society under the terms of the Lockhart trust.

In 1950, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals purchased the 5-acre tract in North Strabane Township, which included a large brick home for the American Humane Association. A kennel was built for the animals. In 1968, a reorganization took place. The building was purchased from the AHA and a governing board was established with local management operating as the Washington County Humane Society.

An expansion of the kennel in 1976 allowed the humane society to double the capacity for dogs and cats. A 1997 expansion included a veterinary surgical area and recovery room along with a second-floor meeting area. The brick house, once known as the “Cat Castle Sanctuary”, became administrative offices and holding area for cats.

In 2000, the humane society changed its name to the Washington Area Humane Society and became a no-kill shelter. A donation from Angelo Falconi Jr. allowed the humane society to add another building to hold humane case animals. It is now used as an isolation unit for dogs suffering from contagious conditions.

To be a no-kill shelter, the humane society is required to have a live release rate of at least 90 percent and not euthanize for space. WAHS euthanizes only as a last resort when medically necessary or when an animal is deemed dangerous. The live release rate in 2017 was 98 percent.

The humane society, which is the only kennel in the county registered to accept strays, cares for about 900 animals a year. There are an average of 55 adoptions each month. There are an average of 50 more animals in foster families.

The WAHS has one, full-time humane offer handling the 800-square-mile coverage area in the county. Last year, he seized more than 200 animals and charged 18 people with cruelty and neglect charges, including one person charged with a felony.

Assisting the staff in caring for the animals are 300 active volunteers.