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Pawnee County Humane Society
Th e Pawnee County Humane Society Inc. is a 501(c)3 charity.
Its mission is to prevent suff ering, neglect, abuse and cruelty to animals through community awareness and education, promoting responsible pet ownership and ending the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals in Pawnee County. Andrea Buhler-Lartz has served as shelter manager since 2017.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, out of respect and concern for the health and well-being of the human staff and volunteers, the decision was made in March of 2020 to close the animal shelter to the public until further notice.
“Pawnee County Humane Society will fully reopen to the public when it feels it is safe to do so,” Buhler-Lartz said in July. At that time PCHS did not have a reopen date.
Cats and dogs available for adoption can be seen on the website, www.pawneehumane. com. People can call 620-2858510 to talk to staff and make an appointment. Applications for adoptions are needed fi rst and can be found on the website.
Services available
Th e humane society has $50 vouchers from a PetSmart grant that can be used at either Frick Vet Services or Larned Veterinary Clinic. Vouchers can be used by Pawnee County pet owners to off set the costs of spaying, neutering, wellness vaccinations, rabies vaccinations, fl ea/tick/ heartworm preventatives, and more.
PCHS still gives clickers and clicker training information to dog adopters, should they choose to take them.
Inmate program ends, fosters needed
Back in 2006, the PCHS entered into an agreement with the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility to use inmates as dog handlers who provide basic socialization and obedience training to dogs that have been surrendered to PCHS, helping them become more adoptable. In July of 2021, Buhler-Lartz announced that LCMHF has temporarily suspended the dog program. While she hopes that is a temporary situation, she said more foster families and volunteers at the shelter are needed.
“We have so many animals that need permanent or temporary homes,” BuhlerLartz posted on Facebook. “Not everyone can adopt and I get that. Not everyone can foster and I understand that. But we do need help with animal care at the shelter.
“Is it work? Of course. We have to clean. Who wants to live in a smelly cage? But you also get to play and cuddle. Th ey appreciate the cleanliness and attentiveness.
“Is it emotional? Sure. But most are better off at the shelter rather than starving or being dumped. I assure you that not every animal is meant for every home but you can love them while they wait at the shelter.”
Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) program
In 2009, the PCHS started a community-wide Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) program to control the feral cat population in Larned. TNR programs reduce the number of feral cats by trapping the animals, spaying or neutering them, and then returning them to their neighborhood. PCHS believes the TNR program is the best option for controlling the feral cat population. Feral cats are cats that have returned to living like a wild animal – either because they were born to a feral mother or because they were abandoned by previous owners.
For more information on how PCHS can help with feral cats, contact PCHS board member Chasitty Solko by calling 620285-9387. Or call the PCHS number, 620-285-8510.
1406 M5 Road (the corner of 8th Street and K-264) Larned, 620-285-8510, www.pawneehumane.com
Business Hours* 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monday - Friday * Shorter hours were imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Until further notice, the PCHS is open by appointment only, Monday through Friday. If you call and no one is there, leave a message.
LARNED VETERINARY CLINIC
1443 120th Ave., PO Box 27 620-285-3153
