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
• Low cost spay/neuter clinics held monthly
• Foster/Volunteer programs

2022-2023 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: 198 intake; 151 adopted out; 2 transferred to rescue; 2 returned to owners; 43 in-house or fostered.
    • 2019: Intake: 404; Adoption: 404; Deceased: 6 Euthanized: 2 (both were actively passing); Transport: 18 Dogs; Spay Neuter Public: 333
      Shelter S/N: 266 (all others were altered prior to HSJC)
    • 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

HISTORY:

• • August 1978 – HSJC first organized with volunteers fostering cats and dogs out of their homes.
  • January 1979 – HSJC officially becomes a non profit organization.  Volunteers continue to foster cats and dogs out of their homes.
  • July 1983 – First animal control program is jointly funded by Dandridge, Jefferson City, Jefferson County, New Market and White Pine governments.  These 5 governments paid for the first Animal Control Officer (ACO) and truck.  HSJC volunteers use the old Jefferson City dog pound to hold abandoned dogs.  They continue to foster cats out of their homes.
  • July 1985 – HSJC volunteers built first county wide animal shelter, financed by private donations, where both dogs and cats can be housed and used by ACO and operated by HSJC volunteers.
  • July 1989-1990 – Jefferson City donates $1,000 to help operate the shelter.  Jefferson County donates $1,000 to help operate the shelter.
  • July 1990-1991 – Jefferson City donates $2,000 and Jefferson County donates $2,000 to help operate the shelter.  Jefferson County also pays for a new roof for the shelter.
  • July 1991-1992 – Jefferson City donates $3,000 and Jefferson County donates $3,000 to help operate the shelter.
  • July 1992-1993 – Jefferson City donates $4,120 and Jefferson County donates $4,000 to help operate the shelter.
  • October 1993 – HSJC closes the shelter due to lack of operating money and serious disrepair.
  • February 1994 – HSJC reopens the shelter with emergency funds from Baneberry $200; Dandridge $1,000; Private donations $15,000; Jefferson City $5,000; Jefferson County $5,000; State of Tennessee $5,000; New Market $2,000 and White Pine $2,000.
  • July 1994-1995 – $34,000 annual budget jointly funded by Dandridge, Jefferson City, Jefferson County, New Market and White Pine to contract with HSJC to operate the shelter.
  • January 1995 – HSJC completes reconstruction of shelter using $35,000 raised through private donations.
  • 1996-1997 – HSJC raises $20,000 from private donations to add a new wing to the shelter to house puppies; new cages and add heat.
  • 1997 – 2017 – HSJC serves Jefferson County Animal Control contract and operates as an open intake shelter.
  • 2018 – HSJC Board of Directors break ties with Jefferson County and become a private funded, limited intake shelter that does not euthanize animals due to overpopulation within the shelter.