FAQ 

What is the Green Hills Animal Shelter? The Green Hills Animal Shelter, a not-for-profit, volunteer organization, is dedicated to providing animal care, protection and adoption services for stray and abandoned animals in Trenton and neighboring towns. It is the only regional animal shelter within 75 miles of Trenton. It is available to service Trenton and surrounding counties and towns.

What kind of Animal Shelter are you? We like to call ourselves a "promise" shelter. We promise to do everything possible to find a home for every animal in our care. We will provide these animals with a safe environment. By serving as a temporary loving home, we increase their confidence and trust in humans. By providing a "home environment" such as housing in the Cat Village or Dog Dorms, we give them the housetraining and socializing they need to live with humans. By providing obedience and other classes to animal owners, we are creating a bond of love and trust between humans and their companion animals.

I've got too many dogs and cats. Can I drop them off at the Green Hills Animal Shelter? We will charge you a Surrendered Animal Fee to drop off an animal. Even then, we are sorry to say that we will not be able to guarantee your animal a new home. Across the country, over 80% of animals surrendered to animal shelters do not find new homes. Many of them are euthanized for lack of space. While we will make every effort to find another home for your pet, it may not be possible. We urge you to find another solution to your problem.

How much are the Surrendered Animal Fees?  There is a $45 fee for each dog relinquished.  If you have a litter consisting of 3 or more puppies who are under 3 months of age, the fee will be $20 per puppy.  If there are less than 3 puppies or the puppies are older than 3 months, the fee is $45 per puppy.  If you bring a litter in without the mother, you will be required to purchase a $50 spay/neuter voucher in order to have the mother sterilized.

How is Green Hills Animal Shelter going to support itself? As a private animal shelter, we will always need the financial and volunteer support of the community. Our "Owned Animal Services" including classes and our in house pet-themed thrift store, will generate income for us as it helps you care for your pets. An important part of the Shelter operation, however, will be to offer Animal Housing and Animal Control Administrative Services to towns and counties in the Green Hills area. When these town and county agencies contract with the Shelter, those Service Fees will support basic shelter operations.

How can my town have a Contract with the Shelter? Shelter Board members have contacted City and County Officials in the Green Hills area to let them know the services we are able to provide. NOW is the time to tell your City Council or Animal Control Officer how the services offered by the Green Hills Animal Shelter are important to you!

How can I help the Green Hills Animal Shelter?

By Membership - Effective animal shelter services begin with sufficient funding. Your membership dues help us to accomplish our goals. For more information, please read about our memberships.

By volunteering - We are in need of dependable volunteers to help with animal care and training. We also need volunteers in the thrift store, in the office, with grant writing and fundraising.

By Donations, Gifts and Bequests - The Green Hills Animal Shelter is not funded by any tax source. We are dependent on donations, grants, gifts and bequests to supplement our fundraising activities and services.

Is my donation tax deductible? Yes. The Green Hills Animal Shelter is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. Please consult your tax advisor for complete details. All donors will receive a receipt which should be shared with tax preparers.

Can I designate my gift for a particular purpose? Absolutely! Gifts can be given without restriction or may be designated to a particular area of interest. Named Gift Opportunities allow you to "adopt" a particular area of the shelter facility, or contribute to a specific program that is near and dear to your heart.

Are there opportunities for Memorial Gifts? Yes. There are many ways to make a gift in memory of a beloved four-legged or two-legged friend. Our Named Gift Opportunities will allow you to "adopt" your chosen area or room in the shelter in memory of your friend. In recognition of your contribution, your name and message will be engraved on a Recognition Plaque permanently mounted next to "your" room.

Who do I talk to about making a Memorial Gift? Members of the Green Hills Animal Shelter Board of Directors will be delighted to meet with you and help plan your gift. Please call Debbie Allen at (660) 684-6825, Sue Tucker at (660) 684-6337 or Gayla Whittle at (660) 359-9908.