The Northeast Arkansas Humane Society is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of all animals. We have been "A voice for those who cannot speak" in Northeast Arkansas since 1971.

This dedication means the Society is involved in a wide variety of activities and projects to serve the needs of animals and the people who care for them. These services include the care and shelter of homeless or distressed animals, lost and found services, pet adoption, humane investigation, pet facilitated therapy, humane education and general community services and support. We are also involved in a number of smaller projects and events, all designed to make the community a better place for animals and people to live together.

The NEAHS is supported primarily by donations, fundraising events, membership dues and adoption fees. We receive no tax monies or United Way funds. Our modest budget is further enhanced by a very dedicated volunteer base which greatly increases our ability to serve our community.

Where We Came From

Early in the spring of 1971, Judy Furr was visiting the Jonesboro City Dog Pound with her two young children. During her visit, she noticed city employees stuffing animals into a fifty-five gallon drum that was connected to the exhaust pipe of an automobile by a length of hose. Among those animals were some kittens and a mother dog along with her litter of small puppies. She became very angry with the cruel and indifferent method of euthanasia she was witnessing, so she strode up to the drum and kicked it over, temporarily freeing the doomed animals and inciting the anger of the municipal employees. During the hot exchange of words that followed, she defied the threats of police involvement and arrest made by the workers.

On April 30, 1971 a certificate of incorporation of domestic non-profit corporation was issued to the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society, an organization consisting of twenty-six charter members. One of the first orders of business on the agenda was the reformation of animal care at the city pound. Plans were also made for a fund-raising event.

Dogs and cats were housed in the Veterinary Clinic of Dr. Jack Jones and NEAHS members' homes. Adoption days were arranged for each Saturday.

In addition to picking up stray animals, members of the NEAHS also answered calls concerning abused animals. The members were legally able to go onto a person's property and take an animal if the animal was being abused. The law concerning abuse stated: If any person shall overdrive, overload, torture, torment, deprive of necessary sustenance, or cruelly beat or needlessly mutilate or kill...any living creature, every such offender shall for every offense, be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Where We Are Now

Born of a fiery, passionate rage against cruelty and indifference and nurtured by an enduring, compassionate devotion for our companions and fellow beings, the NEAHS continues in the struggle to bring a sense of responsibility to the community for the animals which have been bred for thousands of years to serve us and now cannot thrive in our world without our care. Our organization has since grown from 26 to over 600 caring people.

Our shelter is located at 6111 E Highland Drive in Jonesboro, Arkansas and annually receives over 4000 animals who have no where else to go. No animal is turned away. We have sheltered or provided foster care for companion animals, livestock and exotics/wildlife. For domestic animals, our goal is placement in responsible homes. Those who are not adoptable (based on evaluation of health, temperament and age) are humanely euthanized. For wild animals, our goal is rehabilitation and release into the wild or to a wildlife refuge. No animal is ever sold or given for research.

Where We Are Going

As stated above, the NEAHS is committed to progress. Increasing our membership, volunteer base and expanding our public programs constitute our primary goals so that we may help our unfortunate and castoff companions.

The metropolitan area that we are located in is expanding quickly. More people are living in this area. More people mean more pets. More pets mean more chances that pets will reproduce and swell exponentially the population of unwanted and abandoned animals. We are committed to promote public awareness for the responsibility to control the unwanted and unnecessary increase in numbers of our companions unable to control their destiny.