Colonial Capital Humane Society

Colonial Capital Humane Society (CCHS) is a non- profit 501(c)3 organization founded in 1978.  We grew from a shared commitment to providing a no-kill sanctuary for abandoned and stray cats and dogs. Through our partnership with caring veterinarians, the animals we rescue are spayed or neutered to help curb over-population, are given all required vaccinations, and are treated for any medical problems. Our shelter facility consists of twenty-seven outdoor kennels where mostly large dogs are housed until forever homes are found. Small dogs, puppies, and kittens that come to us are placed in foster homes, as well as senior animals or those with serious health conditions.  We are blessed to have an expansive foster network in our community that make it possible to care for so many more animals than our facility can accommodate. Our cats live cage free in our shelter and enjoy outdoor ‘catios’ to lounge in the fresh air.  Our small staff and wonderful volunteers care for the animals and provide socialization, companionship and love as the animals in our care await adoption.

For the past three years, our intake numbers and adoption numbers have been growing. We are excited to be able to serve our community in this way but are quickly outgrowing our current facilities. Our indoor/outdoor free-range cat house trailer needs replacement as it is beyond repair. Our dog kennels are currently all outdoor areas, which is challenging for the dogs in extreme weather. We also must evacuate the shelter during hurricanes and rely on emergency foster homes and our local kennel/boarding partners to assist in this task. So, the time has come to build a new facility and allow us to improve the conditions, environment and well-being for the animals while they are in our care awaiting their forever homes. Our new facility will also increase the shelter’s community exposure, be a more inviting environment for visitors, reduce risk of illness for the animals, increase adoption rates, and expand community programs and partnerships.

Through fundraising efforts and generous support from some key donors, we already have $1.1M raised for the project which we estimate to be approximately $2 million.  We are at such an exciting point because we have completed Phase 1 of the project using the funds already secured.  The new Cattery opened in July 2022. Larger communal playrooms with outdoor porches, an area for recovery and care for cats that are ill, and areas for food prep and storage will help us be more efficient and more inviting for visitors. 

Our Capital Campaign will fund Phase 2 of the project, which includes most importantly, indoor/outdoor climate-controlled dog runs. This will alleviate the challenge we face now with extreme heat and cold conditions that impact the dog’s well-being.  We will also add a new administrative area that includes a lobby/welcome area, meeting/training room, grooming and laundry room, staff and volunteer breakroom, food prep and storage areas, and a spay/neuter surgical suite.   We will also have a Memorial Garden to allow our adopters and the community to memorialize or honor a beloved pet with a personalized brick paver.

Thanks to compassionate donors and several significant contributions, we are on our way to a great start. But the animals need YOU to make this dream a real PAWSibility! Please consider donating to our organization and supporting our Capital Campaign project.