Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Please check out the list of topics below for information on some of the most frequently asked questions we receive here at TAHS. 

Pet Adoptions
Humane Education
Pet Visitation Program
Cruelty Investigation
Funding
Volunteer & Foster Programs
Canine Education Classes
History of TAHS
Contact US 

Pet Adoptions
The Toledo Area Humane Society (TAHS) places thousands of animals in loving, permanent homes each year. It is our goal to help every animal at-risk for abuse or abandonment and to find a home for every healthy, adoptable animal. Each animal receives age-appropriate vaccinations, a health exam, feline leukemia or heartworm test, is spayed or neutered, treated for internal and external parasites, and all of our dogs and cats receive microchip before they leave the shelter. Our adoption counselors and shelter staff are trained to help find the companion animal best suited to the personality and lifestyle of each potential adopter.

The adoption process takes about an hour.

We invite you to browse through the Humane Society 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday to look for just the right pet for you and your family. 

Visit with the dog or cat of your choice in a bonding room for as long as you need (we ask you to spend at least 30 minutes with the pet you are considering adopting) while we provide you with any additional information we have about the animal. 

Once you find the right companion, you will be required to complete an adoption application and meet with an adoption counselor to ensure your selection is an appropriate match for your lifestyle and family.   

If the animal has already been spayed/neutered you can take your new friend home the same day; if not, you will be able to take him/her home the next business day (we are closed Mondays). 

We have an average of 25 dogs and 100 cats available for adoption each day. A full list of available dogs and cats is located on our website through Pet Harbor. 

The adoption fee for cats and kittens starts at $100.

The adoption fee for dogs is $100 and up. 

The adoption fee for puppies is $200 and up. Don't forget to ask about our "Featured Pets" that have reduced adoption fees. 

Learn more about our adoption fees

Humane Education
TAHS believes that respect for living things, including animals and people, begins with education. Staff and volunteers give hundreds of presentations each year to adults and children on topics such as responsible pet ownership, safety around animals, prevention of dog bites, pet overpopulation and the connection between animal and human abuse. 

Visit our Humane Education page to learn more about the programs we offer. To schedule an education program with your classroom please call (419) 482-7106 or email our Education Coordinators at:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  '; document.write(''); document.write(addy_text46207); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pet Visitation Program
Many nursing home and special care facility residents have high stress levels, high blood pressure and/or suffer from depression. However, because studies have shown that a companion animal can help reduce these symptoms, TAHS brings furry friends to visit hundreds of residents at nursing homes and special care facilities throughout our community. 

For additional information about our Pet Therapy Visit program, please contact Mary Moser at (419) 891-1561 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cruelty Investigations
Among the most important programs that distinguish TAHS from other shelters is the Cruelty Investigation Division.

Two officers are on call to enforce the responsible and humane treatment of animals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They have law enforcement backgrounds and investigate over 1,800 reports of animal abuse or neglect each year.

Recent studies have shown that people who abuse animals are often abusive to other people. Our investigators are trained to recognize the signs of child abuse, domestic violence and neglect, and are often the first ones to alert the proper authorities.

If you suspect or know that an animal is neglected, abused, or abandoned please report it to the Toledo Area Humane Society Cruelty Division!

Call: (419) 891-9777 or email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If it is an emergency call TAHS operator 419-891-0705 (ext. 301).

If it is an after hours emergency (after 6 pm or before 10 am) or TAHS is closed please call the Toledo Police non-emergency phone number for assistance (419) 243-4141.

Reasons to call the TAHS Cruelty Division:

• An animal is kept outside with little or no shelter in extreme weather
• An animal has no food or water
• An animal is chained up with potential to jump fence and hang himself
• An animal appears very thin or sick
• An animal is being hurt or physically abused
• An animal appears to be abandoned (no one feeding, caring for it )

Funding
TAHS is a private, non-profit charitable organization. We are not a United Way agency, and are not affiliated nor recieve regular support from any national humane organization or local, state or federal tax support.  Operating funds come from earned revenue, investment income and generous donations from local individuals, foundations and corporations and proceeds from our fundraiser events.  

Programs like Forever Friends (people who include TAHS in their wills) and the Golden Paw League (for people who give gifts of $250 and more) have been established to give our financial supporters options and to recognize their generosity.

Volunteer & Foster Programs
To help supplement the staff, TAHS relies heavily on volunteers to assist with helping with enrichment for animals, such as walking dogs or socializing cats.  Volunteers also helping to greet and counsel potential adopters, work at fundraisers and special events, and provide support for a wide array of miscellaneous jobs at TAHS.  

The Humane Education and Pet Therapy Visitation programs are extremely dependent on our volunteers. 

Foster care volunteers provide a safe, nurturing environment for animals too young for adoption and for sick or injured animals. 

If you have questions about any of our volunteer opportunities, please refer to the Volunteer page.

Canine Education Classes
TAHS offers obedience classes for all puppies and dogs in our community.

For a full list of classes available, please check out our Canine Education Classes. 

History of the Toledo Area Humane Society
The Toledo area community has reason to be proud of the heritage of our Humane Society. Founded on February 14, 1884 as one of the first humane societies in the United States, our original purpose was to prevent cruelty and provide refuge for both animals and children. To this day, we investigate cruelty to animals and provide homeless, abused and abandoned animals with protection and safety. Our services and programs provide our community with the courage of conscience to act humanely toward people and animals. We have been a safe haven and a valued service in this community for 120 years. With your loyal support we will continue to evolve and raise our standards by improving existing programs and implementing innovative and progressive programs.

TAHS serves all of Lucas County

Location 
1920 Indian Wood Circle (Arrowhead Park) 
Maumee OH 43537

Hours 
10 am – 6 pm Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays & holidays)

Contact TAHS
If you have been unable to find the information you are looking for on our website, or if you have additional questions, please Contact Us.