Dedicated to promoting animal welfare
and the protection and prevention of unwanted or homeless animals on
Galveston Island since 1981.
Welcome to GIHS!
The Galveston Island Humane Society, Inc., formed in 1981, is a 501c3, non-profit organization. Originally created by concerned citizens to rescue animals from “the pound,” much has changed. Today we have a humane shelter, providing care for lost or homeless pets, reuniting pets with families, and promoting the adoptions of pets needing homes.
As an “open admission” shelter for Galveston Island we accept all homeless pets, even when the shelter is full. In a city with a high number of homeless pets, which could lead to needless euthanasia, our programs work diligently to reduce the numbers of pets in our community. We are committed to assuring that adoptable pets are kept available until they are placed in a family or transferred to a partner organization.
Our shelter is managed by a board of directors, caring staff and active volunteers who work to provide for the pets in our care along with creating and managing community programs that will positively impact our shelter. We hope you will join us in our mission to make sure that every pet on Galveston Island can live out his or her life in a loving home.
Mission
The Galveston Island Humane Society, Inc. is dedicated to promoting animal welfare and the protection and prevention of unwanted or homeless animals of Galveston Island.
Intake
Intake at the shelter can be accomplished by contacting the Galveston Police Department Animal Services Unit as we are the contracted shelter for the City of Galveston. Stray or seized animals picked up by the GPD ASU are brought here to the shelter. Stray animals that have been collected by the public found in Galveston can also be brought to the shelter for intake. We also accept owner surrenders for Galveston Island residents.
As part of our mission to save all adoptable pets, we have adopted a policy requiring appointments for owner surrenders. The shelter is consistently at or over capacity and owners are encouraged to attempt to re-home their pets on their own if possible. Please consider that you know your pet best, so please be their advocate.
Should you have no option but to surrender the animal, make sure to collect some good photos and write up an appropriate description. Make sure you are doing your part to set your pet up for success in the future.
In addition to contacting GIHS for assistance you can list your pet using Rehome by Adopt a Pet as well. This method allows you to be involved in the process of finding a new loving home for your pet.
Meet Our Shelter Staff
Josh Henderson Executive Director
Skosh D’Aloise Client Care Team
Megan Plasek Animal Care Manager
Eric Korhonen Facilities Maintenance Supervisor / Animal Care Team
Adam Kahlden
Animal Care Team
Lauren Miller
Animal Care Team
Gwen Norman Assistant Director
Carla Sadler Client Care Team
HIRING - OPEN POSITION Animal Health Manager
Joseph Collendrina
Animal Care Team
Javier Fuentes
Animal Care Team
Taylor Sieling Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator
Cecily Hart Client Care Team
JOJO Worthington Animal Health Technician
Dulce Turrubiartez
Animal Care Team
Madelyn Morgan
Animal Care Team
Kaitlin Ehrhart Foster/Transport/Rescue Coordinator
Tish Wolford Client Care Team
Christi Clingerman Animal Health Technician
Marilyn Wilmore Animal Care Team
Kenzi Ruppel
Animal Care Team
Did one of our staff members make your day?
For better or worse we want to know about it!
Please fill out the form below to offer a compliment or raise a concern!
Our Shelter Goals
Find Forever Homes
Re-home lost pets or find ‘forever’ homes for all of our animals.
Enhance Programs
Obtain additional funding to enhance our current programs and expand into other areas, including enrichment and training programs for shelter pets.
Spay & Neuter Programs
Continue to coordinate and fund a comprehensive spay/neuter programs for the City of Galveston residents to stop the influx of unwanted and homeless animals coming in to the shelter. This includes our successful TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program.
Educate Our Community
Provide education in the community focused on the long term care of pets as family members. This include basic care, vaccination needs and requirements, identification through microchipping, and altering all pets to decrease additional homeless pets.
Reinforce City Ordinances
Educate the public related to City ordinances pertaining the care and licensing of family pets.
Steward Well
Be the best stewards of the lost and homeless animals of Galveston Island and the best community stewards of your trust and support.
Work at Galveston Island Humane Society
We are always looking for dedicated people to join our team. The areas of expertise are listed below. Please note, this does not guarantee that there is currently a position to fill but we will respond to you either way.
For more information, please complete this short form and submit it to us. You may expect a response within 2 – 3 days.
For more information, email info@galvestonhumane.org.
Meet Our GIHS Board of Directors
The GIHS Board of Directors consists of up to 20 volunteer members who assist with decisions about the shelter operations and policies. They also coordinate fundraisers and provide support to the shelter staff. Interested in serving? Please email info@galvestonhumane.org or click the button below for more information.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President – David Rogers
President-Elect – Barbara Sanderson
Executive Director - Josh Henderson
Treasurer – Valerie Miller
Secretary – Diana Barr
Past President – Joel Caldwell
Maureen McCutchen
Mary Cooper
Trelle Dandridge
Shannon Donnelly
Lea Fistein, DVM
Maggie Green
Jeannie Hughes
Stephanie Vasut
Janice Pierson
Marissa Barnett
Suzanna Mayberry Lisa Fox