Tri-Lakes Humane Society

The Tri Lakes Humane Society was founded in 1942 by a group of teenagers concerned about the welfare of Saranac Lake's unwanted animals. The first "animal shelter" was a doghouse surrounded by chicken wire. When the young members found unwanted animals that they were able to take in to their homes, they cared for them there until a new home was found. At that time, the shelter was called "Adirondack Animal Welfare Society".

In 1973 an office was rented on Woodruff Street where paperwork was completed, phone calls and messages were recorded, and donations were received. During that year, the shelter was renamed "Tri Lakes Humane Society" and a motto was created..."We speak for those who cannot." With the help of Henry Uihlein and other generous donations in 1975, an old meat packing plant was purchased and renovated to become a shelter! From then on, hundreds of animals were brought in and adopted out. In 1999, a policy was adopted to become a no-kill facility.

We are now in a new building that was purchased and renovated for us by the Wigmore family and Hilde Roland in 1998; and in 2000 our doors were open for the public!

In our "new" facility we have more space inside and out to care for the companion animals that come through our doors, approximately 350 to 400 animals a year. We are one of two shelters that are located within the Adirondack Park in upstate New York (The second shelter is the North Country SPCA located in Westport, NY). The population for the area that we service in approximately 20,000. We cover 7 townships (Harrietstown, St. Armand, Franklin, Santa Clara, Brighton, North Elba and Long Lake), and the Village of Saranac Lake.There are many summer homes in this area, and the summer population is further increased by many tourists from all over the world!

Our Board of Directors are all volunteers that meet monthly to discuss issues from general fund-raising, to paying bills and keeping our doors open to the public. Our shelter director oversees the day-to-day business of adoptions, incoming animals, animal care, supervising staff, and is also the local Dog Control Officer for 6 local municipalities. We have two paid full-time and one part-time staff members that do the daily cleaning, reception of visitiors, and office work. On the average, we have 10-15 volunteers, mostly young people from age 12 to 20, who help out by walking the dogs, grooming cats and also help with general cleaning. We are always eager to have new volunteers of any age! There are many great ways to help out at our shelter.

Our shelter is located in a great community that is always willing to lend a helping hand when we need it the most. The Tri-Lakes Humane Society, Inc. is a non-for-profit 501c3 organization that does not receive any state funding. We run our business on the generous donations from the residents of the Tri-Lakes region and beyond, and from fees from contracts with local communities for services such as dog control and shelter services.