The Venango County Humane Society was incorporated as a private, non-profit organization in 1956. The mission of the Venango County Humane Society is to prevent cruelty to animals and to promote public animal care education and awareness.
A Brief History
The earliest record of a humane society organization in Venango County dates to 1901. What were termed "concerned matrons" led by Mrs. C. J. Miller and Mrs. Samuel G. Allen complained of the cruelty they witnessed to draft and carriage horses. In March 1901 the Venango Humane Society was formed. The society apparently existed for several years and then faded away. The precise reasons are lost to history.
The Modern Venango County Humane Society traces its beginnings to 1954 when 18 animal lovers gathered to discuss the problem of strays, unwanted animals and animal cruelty. In June of 1956, the Venango County Humane Society was incorporated with the stated purpose of the corporation to:
"Provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals; to provide proper care for stray and injured animals; to enforce all laws designed for the protection of animals; to secure in lawful manner the arrest, conviction and punishment of persons violating such laws; and through the dissemination of literature and other educational means, to instruct and induce people to be kind, considerate and merciful in their treatment of animals."
The original incorporators were H. D. Brown, Jr., Ruth M Oliver, Mary M Bouquin, Helen James and Adelaide E. Fike, all of Oil City. The first board of directors following incorporation was composed of Helen C. James, John E. Cunningham, Elvira M. Falco, Mary M Bouquin, Donald L. Marsh, W. F. Sharpnack, Lorraine Hoover, Mrs. A. H. Hoover, H. D. Brown, Jr., John R. Rynd, Jr., D. J. Schultz, Betty Rennacker, Adelaide E. Fike, Helen Gahr, William Stahlman and Mrs. William Stahlman.
The first shelter was established on property owned by board members Mr. and Mrs. William Stahlman along Horsecreek Road, Cranberry Township, which was also listed as the initial registered office in the papers of incorporation. Animals were housed in makeshift crates, which have been described as ramshackle, but the animals were safe and well fed. The dream, though, was to have a proper shelter.
Under the leadership of then president Gerald Swartzfager, the dream moved toward reality in 1970. With the proceeds from countless bake and rummage sales, raffles and the initiation of a capital fund drive, the Venango County Humane Society in 1970 purchased two acres of land along Deep Hollow Road. The property was purchased from Quaker State Corporation at a cost of $4,000. In September of that year, the society with money coming in from the capital fund drive took out a $45,000 loan and began construction of a modern shelter.
Construction of the new, then state-of-the-art shelter was completed in late 1971. Throughout the 1970's and 1980's, the number of animals that would find their way to the shelter steadily increased. It was not too many years before the new shelter was often full, and the facilities were becoming outdated.
A generous bequest by Adelaide Fike, the original incorporator allowed the society to begin planning in 1992 for a major expansion and renovation, which was undertaken in 1993. The shelter office was enlarged, and a new cat room, tech room and enclosed areas where potential adopters could become acquainted with the animals were added.
After over two decades, the building had started to show its age. Leadership made the decision to buy the current land in Seneca and start construction of the facility where it is today. With the generous support of the community and donors, the Venango County Humane Society opened its doors in 2015. The shelter has 29 dog pens, 6 outdoor runs and three grassy play areas. For the cat area, the building can house approximately 50 cats/kittens.