We routinely visit local Animal Control facilities looking for healthy pets who would otherwise be put to sleep. We take great joy in reuniting owners with lost pets, and rehoming strays.

The Humane Society of Dickson County relies heavily on volunteers and fund-raisers for its shelter upkeep. Please join us in caring for our county's animals -- foster a pet, volunteer or become a member today!

Free/Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program

Tennessee is among 22 states trying to reduce dog and cat overpopulation through the sale of "Animal Friendly" license plates. When drivers purchase the special "Animal Friendly" license plates for their cars, Tennessee sets aside a portion of the proceeds for spay/neuter funds. The Humane Society of Dickson County benefits from plates sold to area residents, and passes the savings on to low income families wishing to adopt a pet. To qualify for the free/low-cost spay/neuter program, adopting parties need only show proof of some form of government assistance (food stamps, social security check, etc.). Why should you spay/neuter your pet?

• Each year, more than 3 million unwanted animals are euthanized in pounds and shelters. The single highest cause of premature death for cats and dogs in America is euthanasia. Spay/netuer programs help prevent pet overpopulation.
• In seven years, one dog and her offspring can produce 4,372 puppies.
• Spaying of female pets reduces the risk of mammary cancer and uterine infections.
• Neutered male pets fight less and don't roam as much. Neutering also reduces the risk of prostate cancer.

Adoption Fees

HSDC's adoption fees vary by the adopting party's county of residence. In addition to helping our shelter to serve thousands of animals each year, the adoption fee covers mandatory spay/neuter services for the pet, distemper/parvo shots, deworming and other health services as required. If you have any questions about these fees, please contact the shelter at 615-446-PETS (7387).

Fees for Dickson County Adoptions (Tennessee)
Adoption fee is $60 for dogs and cats. There is a $75 deposit on babies adopted that are not old enough to be spayed or neutered at the time of adoption. That deposit is refunded to them once the shelter has been billed by the vet that performs the spay or neuter. Everything else is the same in the fee section.

Fees for Adoptions to other Tennessee Counties
$60 for dogs and puppies
$55 for cats and kittens
An additional $25 spay/neuter deposit is required with certain adoptions
Covers spay/neuter, distemper/parvo shot and deworming

Fees for Out-of-State Adoptions
(for transportation/pick up within Dickson County)
$85 for dogs and puppies
$80 for cats and kittens
Covers mandatory spay/neuter for the pet, distemper/parvo shots, deworming, rabies shots and health certificates as required

Fees for Out-of-State Adoptions
(for transportation/pick up within 60 miles of Dickson County)
$105 for dogs and puppies
$90 for cats and kittens
Covers mandatory spay/neuter for the pet, distemper/parvo shots, deworming, rabies shots and health certificates as required

Open Door Shelter

Nearly every community has some type of shelter system for unwanted, abandoned, stray and abused animals. There are basically two types of animal shelters: "Open Door Shelters" and "Limited Intake/No Kill" shelters. The "Limited Intake/No Kill" shelters don't euthanize animals, except in the case of illness. They can afford this luxury because of their limited intake or closed-door policy. It is simple: when they become full, they stop accepting animals until they adopt out enough animals to generate more room. Conversely, "Open Door Shelters" accept all animals and must therefore, at times, euthanize on the basis of adoptability to create room for incoming animals.

"Limited Intake/No Kill" can play a role in helping homeless companion animals find responsible, lifelong homes. However, since these shelters are limited in the number of animals they can accept and care for, we feel strongly that there needs to be an animal shelter whose doors are open to all homeless animals in every community. Too often, stray animals suffer from starvation, disease, poisoning, abuse, injuries from traffic accidents, attacks by wildlife, and severe weather. If not spayed or neutered, they bring more innocent animals into their world of suffering.

HSDC is a limited intake shelter and a scheduled appointment will need to be made when dropping off animals into our care. There is a non refundable drop off fee of $20 for dog and/or cat. Litter of puppies or kittens the fee is $30. For a mother with babies, fee is also $30
HSDC primary mission is to adopt all animals to loving homes that will provide adequate care so that the animals do not wind up back in the system. Due to the tremendous volume of animals we receive, however, we are sometimes unable to secure homes for all of them. Thus, we are a euthanasia shelter (kill shelter), which means that when we run out of capacity for the volume of homeless and abandoned animals brought to our door, our shelter staff must undertake the heart wrenching task of selecting the "least adoptable" animals and then put them to sleep (euthanize them) to make adequate room. This is the most painful aspect of our jobs -- no humane society wants to euthanize any animal (unless it is for humane reasons to relieve the suffering of a mortally wounded or sick pet), but this is the reality for Dickson County. Please spay and neuter your pets to help us reduce the pet overpopulation problem and put an end to the euthanasia of healthy animals!

Adoption Forms

Please click on the link below to access HSDC's adoption forms online in Adobe PDF format:

• HSDC Adoption Contract, Questionnaire and Sterilization Policy

Community Outreach

• Pet-Assisted Therapy Programs - Pet therapy provides a source of hope and pleasure for people of all ages facing difficult times in convalescent homes, hospitals, mental health centers, abused children's homes and juvenile detention centers. HSDC volunteers bring canine and feline warmth to people who aren't able to experience the joys of pet ownership.
• Community Education - HSDC staff frequently teach adults and children about responsible pet ownership and humane treatment for all living creatures. HSDC staff and volunteers visit local schools, civic groups and other community organizations to educate about responsible treatment of animals and the mission of HSDC.
• Stopping Animal Cruelty - HSDC works with the Dickson police force to assist in animal cruelty investigations and prosecution.
• Shelter Tours - Many organizations, such as local schools and scouts, tour the HSDC facility to learn about responsible pet care, animal behavior and safety, and what to consider when choosing a pet.