Q: Is McCook Humane Society associated with HSUS or receive funding from national groups?
A: We are a private, 501c(3) not-for-profit community service organization. We do not receive funds from any government agencies other than the cities and counties under contract for services provided. We rely heavily on public donations. Donations to the McCook Humane Society are 100% tax-deductible.
Q: If I make a donation to McCook Humane Society, does the money stay here and help animals in Red Willow County?
A: Yes, absolutely! We are not associated with any other animal welfare organizations. Your donations stay here in Red Willow County and help the hundreds of homeless pets in McCook and the surrounding area.
Q: Where can I license my animal?
A At this time neither McCook nor Red Willow county has a license. Indianola, Culbertson, Bartley many other towns in the area do have a pet licensing. Call their city offices for more information.
Q: Does it cost to surrender my animal?
A: No, but we are a non-profit organization that gladly accepts donations.
Q: What are the requirements to adopt from the McCook Humane Society?
- Must be 21 years old
- All other animals currently owned must be current on rabies
- Willing and able to provide a lifelong home for the animal
- Meet any special requirements an animal may require
Q: Does the shelter have puppies and kittens?
A: Yes, we see both puppies are kittens throughout the year. Usually, late spring and summer are when we see a spike in the number of kittens and puppies. But we would also encourage you to consider an adult dog or cat. You may be surprised at how great of pets they can be.
Q: Does the shelter have any other animals available for adoption?
A: Yes, we see all kinds of animals at the shelter. We occasionally have had chinchillas, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, and many more. We do not have the facilities for small livestock like goats, chickens, ducks or potbellied pigs.
Q: If I don’t see a specific breed of dog or cat, what is the best way to check if you have one later on?
A: The best answer is to give us a call, visit our website often, and follow us on Facebook. New animals go up for adoption almost every day. Give us a call when we first open and our staff can let you know if we have an animal matching your preferences. We try to keep our website as updated as possible but many animals are adopted very quickly before we are able to get them posted.
Q: Are all dogs and cats spayed or neutered prior to adoption?
A: Dogs and cats over 4 months of age are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. Puppies and kittens adopted between 8 weeks and 4 months of age must have a pre-paid spay/neuter contract to be adopted. This is required by the state.
Puppies and kittens under 4 months of age are considered too young by our local veterinarians for surgery. It it is your responsibility take your new furry friend into the veterinarian under contract for the surgery once they reach the appropriate age.
Q: Whom do I contact about an abused or neglected animal?
A: We are not animal control. You will need to contact McCook Police Department 308-345-3450 inside city limits. Outside city limits contact the Red Willow Sheriff's department 308-345-1850 or local law enforcement outside of Red Willow County.
Q: What is covered by the adoption fee?
A: For dogs, the adoption fee includes: the vaccinations given upon intake and any subsequent boosters that come due during their time in the shelter, a 1-year rabies vaccination, spay or neuter for the dog, flea and tick treatment, first worm treatment, microchip, behavioral and medical advice.
For cats, the adoption fee includes: the vaccinations given upon intake and any subsequent boosters that come due during their time in the shelter, a 1-year rabies vaccination, spay or neuter for the cat, flea and tick treatment, first worm treatment, and behavioral and medical advice.
Q: Do we accept feral or wild domesticated cats (not bobcats or mountain lions)?
A: Because of the risk of zoonotic diseases like rabies or bite injuries to our staff we do not take feral cats.
Q: Do we have a TNR or Trap Neuter Release program?
A: We do not have the funds for this although if someone would be interested in funding such a project we are interested in being involved.
Q. Do we provide low cost or free veterinary services?
A: We don’t have the funding or a veterinarian on staff. Unfortunately, we cannot offer low cost or free veterinary services.
Q: Are there any dog breeds we do not take?
A: No. We take them all provided they are not dog or human aggressive.
Q: How long are strays held for?
A: We hold strays for a minimum of 5 days in accordance with city ordinance. The strays are kept separate from the adoptable population for 10 days for infection control. A boarding fee is assessed for each day the animal is held when reclaimed by owner. At the end of 10 days the animal is considered abandoned and put up for adoption..
Q: How old do I have to be to volunteer?
A: Kids are welcome with parental supervision. 16 years old without a parent.
Q: Is the McCook Humane Society a no-kill shelter?
A: We are a private, non-profit organization, which serves southwest Nebraska and parts of Northwest Kansas. Unfortunately, we are not no-kill but are as low-kill as we can possibly get away with.
We will euthanize when an animal requires medical treatment that goes beyond our ability to humanely provide care or has a condition that puts other shelter animals or workers at risk. We will also choose euthanasia when an animal has negative behaviors, such as unmanageable aggression towards other dogs, or aggression towards people that goes beyond our ability to correct, especially if that behavior presents a safety concern to a potential adopter or to the community.
We do not feel it is responsible to place a potentially dangerous, dangerous, or vicious animal in the community. We also do not feel it is responsible to imply that we would. There are few organizations with the money and facilities to keep an animal that is ill or unsafe around people. In fact, keeping such animals while thousands of healthy, adoptable animals are euthanized because there is no place to keep them could be considered an irresponsible decision.
At times, we reach a capacity within the shelter that we would be happy if you could make an appointment and bring the pet in once we have available space. We make every effort possible to place each animal whether through our adoption program or rescue groups.
Unfortunately, not all animals that come to us are suitable to be placed in new homes We make every effort possible to place each animal whether through our adoption program or rescue groups.
