Partner Profile: Columbus Humane

The Columbus Humane Society is celebrating its 140th birthday! With a staff of 65 and a $7.3 million budget, Rachel Finney, Executive Director, is excited to open their new facility, called The Columbus Humane Essential Care Center at 3773 S High St.

The City of Columbus lacks low-cost options for sick and injured animals, leaving thousands of pets untreated and suffering. The Center’s very low-cost, high-quality services will treat sick and injured animals as well as provide preventative care, dramatically increasing access to quality veterinarian care for low-income families. Social workers and wrap-around services will ensure families have access to the care they need. Because 66% of pets in poverty have never seen a veterinarian, and 1 in 5 Franklin County families experience food insecurity, the Columbus Humane Essential Care Center will help to supplement pet owners’ ability to care for their family as well as their pets.

The Essential Care Center will offer free pet care for those experiencing and fleeing domestic violence. In addition, The Center will pay for first month’s rent, pet deposits and other furnishings, and bedding to help domestic violence survivors get a new start. Columbus Humane also provides supplies and equipment that help keep pet owners from having to surrender beloved pets, such as baby gates or dog houses.

Columbus Humane veterinarians host pop-up wellness clinics– and have even traveled to homeless camps to provide basic pet care and free pet food. Future plans also include clinics that will engage both a veterinarian and a nurse practitioner in order to provide care for pets and their owners while their pets are being treated. Finney looks forward to serving the low-income population of Franklin County while also alleviating food insecurities for both pets and their owners.

You can learn more at Columbus Humane Essential Care Center or call 614-777-7387.