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Animal Care & Resource Center: Built on a Foundation of Compassion
In 1897, concern over the mistreatment of cows prompted Cora Meiser and Nora Gause to gather 100 people and pass a hat. Each person tossed in a silver dollar and an organization to prevent cruelty to children and animals was born.
As the years passed, other groups took on the needs of children, allowing the renamed Kalamazoo County Humane Society to focus on animals. In 1937, it built its first shelter - later destroyed by fire - and a second on Stadium Drive in 1949, where it operated for three decades.
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By 1979, the Humane Society shifted its focus from sheltering to prevention, launching its first spay/neuter assistance program. Named “Operation Fix-It” in 2002, this program has greatly reduced the number of unwanted animals in our community.
KHS has continued to grow its services to include a thriving emergency pet food bank and other supportive services for people and pets in crisis. And still, the needs are growing in our region for expanded partnerships and greater access to our many services.
Eager to meet those needs, the Compassion • Prevention • Results campaign began in 2016. The campaign cabinet, led by Robert Cinabro (Chair) and Colleen Killen-Roberts (Co-Chair), succeeded in their mission. Now, 123 years after the first silver dollar was contributed, the Kalamazoo Humane Society has taken the next step with the completion of the Animal Care & Resource Center (ACRC). None of this would be possible without our cabinet members' dedication, our Executive Director, Aaron Winters, and the outpouring of support from our community.
The full name of the new home of the Kalamazoo Humane Society is the Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Animal Care & Resource Center.
The acronym for the Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Animal Care & Resource Center is ACRC.
This phase of the ACRC project has taken 12 years from vision to completion.
Due to COVID-19 delays and weather, some outdoor features and signage must wait until spring to install.
The ACRC is a regional resource that will serve all of southwest Michigan.
The new facility also offers these exciting features:
14 Acres of Land
11,000 Square Feet 2 public entrances with lobbies
