150 Years of Hope

A meeting is held in Omaha to organize a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals in Nebraska.

NHS declares its intention to prevent child cruelty and neglect, which would continue through the 1950s.

NHS inaugurates a crusade against cock fighting and dog fighting in Omaha.

Construction begins on a new headquarters for the Nebraska Humane Society at 21st and Izard Streets in Omaha.

NHS Executive Secretary John Welch directs a program to train civilians on how to care for pets and farm animals during WWII.

The Nebraska Humane Society moves its operations to 8801 Fort Street in Omaha. The new shelter can accommodate 250 animals.

NHS celebrates its centennial year with a series of events, including an art exhibition at Joslyn Art Museum.

The first Walk for the Animals is held at Standing Bear Lake. The event is now called the Margre Durham Walk & Dog Fest and takes place in our meadow each September.

Friends Forever, a fundraising guild for NHS, is established.

The PAW (Pet Adoption on Wheels) van is dedicated. It was purchased for NHS by several donors including Friends Forever and Baker’s Supermarkets.

Dr. Marty Ramm starts spaying and neutering all cats and dogs at NHS.

NHS starts microchipping every dog and cat that goes up for adoption.

After a $11.5 million capital campaign, NHS opens a new shelter, the Lied Humane Center, at 8929 Fort Street in Omaha.

The Cat Bench is created by artist John Kevern and donated to the shelter by Dennis and Sunny Lundgren.

With the approval of Legislative Bill 273, animal cruelty becomes a felony in the state of Nebraska.

43 dogs who were separated from their owners during Hurricane Katrina are transported to NHS.

The Nebraska Humane Society Facebook page is created.

The Puppy Cart makes its first appearance on social media.

The first Virtual Kitten Shower is held at NHS to support kittens being cared for by foster parents.

NHS has its highest adoption total for one year on record, as 11,230 pets find forever homes.

The Judy Varner Adoption and Education Center opens. The $14.1 million dollar renovation began in 2018 and finished right as the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

The largest Animal Control confiscation in shelter history takes place in Papillion. Over 600 animals, including a toucan, ferrets, macaws, snakes and a tortoise, are rescued from inhospitable conditions.

NHS launches the Community Cat Program, with the goal to improve the lives of free roaming and feral cats by ensuring there are caretakers in their areas.

The Nebraska Humane Society celebrates its 150th anniversary.