At the Humane Society of the New Braunfels Area (HSNBA), we've been dedicated to serving the residents and pets of New Braunfels, Comal County, and surrounding areas since 1975. As an open-intake, non-profit animal shelter, our mission is to save as many furry lives as possible—an effort made possible only through the tremendous support of our community.
Although we are not funded by the City of New Braunfels or Comal County, we are contracted to house stray animals brought in by their Animal Control Divisions and local citizens. The funding from these contracts is generally enough to cover approximately three days of care, along with initial vaccines, deworming, and flea/tick prevention for each animal. To continue our lifesaving work, we rely heavily on generous donations from our supporters in New Braunfels and the surrounding areas.
Our Work
We care for approximately 4,500 animals a year, and thanks to the unparalleled support of our community and our hardworking staff, we have maintained a 90% live-outcome rate over the last few years! This achievement is a testament to the dedication and compassion of everyone involved. We continue to find innovative ways to ensure our pets get the best possible care during their stay with us, and we're proud of our progress. With your support, we look forward to building on our success and saving even more lives!
Dog Behavior and Enrichment Programs
One of the programs we are most proud of is our new and improved dog behavior and enrichment program. This program encompasses various initiatives designed to get animals out of their kennels and into the world! Our Doggy Day Out program is a prime example of these new lifesaving initiatives, allowing volunteers to take a dog from the shelter for a day of fun and freedom in the community. These outings to parks, restaurants, farmers' markets, and local events help relieve kennel stress and keep our dogs happy and healthy.
In addition to these community outings, we've introduced more opportunities for dogs to experience enrichment while in the shelter, like playgroups! These playgroups allow dogs to leave their regular kennel environment and enjoy supervised playtime with other dogs. Playgroups offer numerous benefits, such as improving socialization skills, building confidence, providing mental stimulation, and offering plenty of exercise. Your donations help keep these programs thriving, providing our dogs with the care and enrichment they need.
Foster Programs
The generosity and commitment of our community and supporters are the backbone of our success. One of the highlights of this support is our robust foster program, which provides nearly 1,500 animals a year with the opportunity to survive and thrive in a welcoming home environment. This program is vital for the animals most at risk in a shelter setting, such as young kittens and puppies, dogs recovering from heartworm treatment, and adult animals struggling to adapt to shelter life. Our foster caregivers do everything from helping pets recover from medical procedures to bottle-feeding orphaned kittens.
Fostering is particularly crucial for young kittens, who make up the majority of pets in our foster system each year. During the busy kitten season, we typically have 200-250 kittens in foster homes while they grow big enough for spay/neuter surgery and adoption. We're always looking for new foster caregivers to join our team—if you're interested in opening your home to an animal in need, please get in touch!
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Program
We're also proud to offer a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program that provides free spay/neuter services for feral cats brought in by animal control or community members. This essential program helps control the feral cat population, reduces the spread of disease, and enhances the overall well-being of our community. By providing spay/neuter services, FVRCP and rabies vaccines, and flea/tick medication, we save approximately 1,000 cats a year before returning them to the community.
Volunteer Program
Under the stewardship of our dedicated Volunteer Coordinator, HSNBA has seen a remarkable increase in volunteer engagement since the start of 2023. We've implemented new initiatives, including in-person and virtual training classes, to equip volunteers with the necessary skills and knowledge to make a difference. By curating diverse volunteer opportunities to match various interests and talents, we've created an environment where volunteers feel valued and appreciated, leading to greater comfort and increased retention. If you're looking for a way to make a difference, consider joining our volunteer team—there's a place for everyone!
Our Mission
The Humane Society of the New Braunfels Area strives to promote the humane treatment of animals and to foster respect, understanding, and compassion for all creatures.
Join Us
Join us in our mission to create a safe, caring environment for every pet. Your support during this fundraiser will help us achieve our goals and continue saving lives. Together, we can make a difference!