About HSJC

The Humane Society of Jefferson County (HSJC) is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3), limited intake, no-kill, private funded animal rescue organization governed by a volunteer board of directors and dedicated staff. HSJC operates and relies exclusively on private donations and grants. HSJC does not serve any government contracts nor receive funding through tax revenues. As a private rescue, HSJC is able to assist other non-profit animal rescues/shelters in East Tennessee by transporting animals to our adoption center. This helps reduce over-crowding, stress, and sickness and allows more animals to find homes. We also accept owner surrenders by appointment only. Donations are greatly appreciated and are used to rescue, treat, transport, and enhance the quality of life for all animals in our care that are waiting for their forever homes.

Five Freedoms

HSJC practices the five freedoms for all animals in our care:

  • FREEDOM FROM HUNGER AND THIRST
    by ready access to fresh water and diet to maintain health and vigor.
  • FREEDOM FROM DISCOMFORT
    by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
  • FREEDOM FROM PAIN, INJURY OR DISEASE
    by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
  • FREEDOM TO EXPRESS NORMAL BEHAVIOR
    by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of
    the animal’s own kind.
  • FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND DISTRESS
    by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering

Services

We provide the following services to the citizens of Jefferson County as well as surrounding counties:

  • Pet adoptions
  • Pet food pantry
  • Foster/Volunteer programs

2024-2025 Board of Directors

Officers:
President – Scott Lubas
Vice President -Carol Nash
Secretary – Shirley Hammond
Treasurer -Hillary Combs

At Large:

Janet Lubas

Dave Ventieri

SHELTER STATISTICS

    • 2018: Intake 198; Adoption 151; Transferred: 2; Return to Owner 2; 43 in-house or foster.
    • 2019: Intake: 404; Adoption: 404; Deceased: 6 Euthanized due to health 2 (both were actively passing); Transport: 18 Dogs; Spay Neuter Public: 333. 
    • 2020: Intake: 330; Adoption: 322; Deceased: 15 (12 kittens 3 weeks old, 1 senior dog, 1 puppy during surgery, 1 kitten during surgery); Euthanized: 1 kitten actively dying. Recommended per vet; Transport: 4 dogs, 1 cat; Public Spay Neuter: 532. 
    • 2021: Intake: 298; Adoptions: 303; Deceased: 12; Transport: 4; Public Spay Neuter: 382
    • 2022: Intake: 343; Adoptions: 330; Deceased: 7; Transport: 2; Public Spay Neuter: 363
    • 2023: Intake: 615; Adoptions: 620

  • August 1978

    First HSJC

    HSJC was a foster-based shelter.

  • January 1979

    HSJC becomes a non-profit

    HSJC was incorporated as a non-profit welfare group with the State of Tennessee. Volunteers continued operating out of their homes as fosters.

    January 1979

  • July 1983

    Animal Control

    The first animal control is jointly funded by Dandridge, Jefferson City, New Market, White Pine and the county. These five governmental bodies paid for the first ACO and ACO vehicle. HSJC volunteers used the old Jefferson City dog pound for dogs and kept cats in the homes.

  • July 1985

    Building a shelter

    HSJC volunteers built the first county wide animal shelter from private donations. The facility housed dogs and cats and was used by Animal Control and operated by HSJC volunteers.

    July 1985

  • July 1989 - July 1993

    Keeping the shelter open

    HSJC keeps the Animal Shelter open with volunteers, donations and modest support from Jefferson City and Jefferson County.

  • October 1993

    HSJC closes animal shelter

    HSJC closes the animal shelter due to lack of operating and disrepair.

    October 1993

  • February 1994

    Re-opens

    HSJC re-opens the county shelter with emergency funds from the cities and private donations.

  • July 1994

    Creating a budget

    An annual budget funded by the cities and county allow the animal shelter to function.

    July 1994

  • January 1995

    Reconstruction

    HSJC completes the reconstruction of the animal shelter funded by private donations.

  • 1996-1997

    New Wing

    A new wing is added to the shelter to house puppies. New cages were purchased and heat added.

    1996-1997

  • 2012

    Cat House

    HSJC added a building to house cats as well as a separate room for a community cat room.

  • 2014

    Adding Kennels

    HSJC purchased 6 new kennels, dog beds, and a storage building thanks to generous donors.

    2014

  • 2017

    New Facility

    HSJC purchased a new facility and began renovations.

  • Early 2018

    New Start

    HSJC gave up the county contract to become a private and true no-kill rescue organization.

    Early 2018

  • April 2018

    HSJC moves into new facility and becomes a true no-kill rescue

  • July 2018

    Grand Re-Opening

    HSJC re-opened in the new location in Dandridge as a private, no-kill rescue organization.

    July 2018

  • January 2019

    New Kennels

    With the help of a generous donor, we were able to purchase more dog kennels to humanely house more homeless pets.

  • August 2019

    Inside/Outside Kennels

    We purchased 5 dog kennels and set them up along the outside of our dog room to make indoor/outdoor kennels for our larger dogs. This gives the dogs more space and gives them the opportunity to go outside whenever they like.

    August 2019

  • October 2019

    Cat House

    Thanks to generous donations, we were able to purchase a cat house. This addition will help us save the lives of more cats.