The Butte Humane Society in Chico provides shelter for homeless and abandoned animals.

At the Butte Humane Society, many animals find the opportunity to be adopted by a new family.  To volunteer at the Butte Humane Society, one must be at least 16 years of age. Volunteers who are 10 to 15 years old require adult supervision. Butte Humane Society offers numerous volunteer opportunities, such as working with cats and dogs, training dogs to be obedient for adoptability, adoption counseling, foster care, and more.

“All of the animals that come into the Butte Humane Society are scared,” said senior Sarah Genzlinger, a volunteer at the Butte Humane Society.

The workers and volunteers help calm the animals when they arrive. “Owner surrender” occurs when the owner of a pet brings in his or her pet to the shelter. When the owner reaches the shelter, the receptionists provide a list of pet names for the person to choose from.

Animal Control takes custody of abused animals and then takes them to the Butte Humane Society, where the workers or volunteers take care of the animals.

“The twelve people who started the organization were unhappy with the way that animals were being treated and believed that the laws for the animals’ welfare should be enforced,” said Kristen Staggs, a member of the Butte Humane Society Board of Directors. 

 Last year, over 5,800 animals came to the shelter. On an average day, Butte Humane Society has about five to ten adoptions, adoptions in a year.

“I feel that the Butte Humane Society sends critical information to this community: that abused and homeless animals deserve a second chance at life. They saw a lot of animals suffering and knew that we can do better than what we are doing now,” said Staggs.

The Butte Humane Society hosts many events in October, such as Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month, World Animal Month, Adopt-O-Week and Adopt-A-Thon.  The Butte Humane Society is open daily from 12-6 pm and on Mondays and Thursdays from 12 to 7 pm.