Serving more than 70% of Delaware County and some surrounding counties, we sometimes crawled and sometimes leaped on our journey, but the staff and volunteers never turned back. As this journey of the Heart continued, the HSCDC became nationally recognized, twice mentioned in ASPCA’s Animal Watch publication. What the shelter lacked in facilities and finances, we more than made up for in creativity and compassion for the pets entrusted to us. And the quality of care our pets receive was formally recognized by Ms. Julie Morris, Vice President of ASPCA’s National Shelter Outreach Division in 1998. After visiting shelters coast to coast, Ms. Morris stated, “After I left your facility, I kept thinking that for some reason you had the best animals in the state for adoption. I’m more or less immune to ‘falling’ for animals in shelters – that is, I usually can restrain myself from wanting to ‘take them home’ and adopt them. However, that wasn’t the case at your shelter. I couldn’t figure out exactly why that was true. Then, I realized the ‘secret’ was your relationship with the animals – your obvious and good citizenship program. The animals show it – they don’t have that desperate ‘get me out of jail’ posturing, but are able to project their true personalities and really look like they’d be great fun to have at home.” Through our Project Dog Program, cat socialization, Play Groups and nature trail walking, we make sure this remains the case today.

As other paths opened on our journey, we evolved. The Friends of the Shelter Volunteers were organized; Humane Education programs are offered to local schools; a beautiful cattery and reception/grooming/adoption area were donated; additions and upgrading to the original building continue; Senior Pals and a formal Foster Program began…until, in 2005, the journey of heart was formally recognized when we adopted the name Heart of the Catskills Humane Society.

We continue to care for those who cannot speak or care for themselves. We educate our community, defend the meekest, teach humane treatment for all living creatures, foster a compassion for the weakest, heal the broken trust of the abused, and link the lonely with a four-legged companion. Whether it’s an unwanted German Shepherd or a tabby whose guardian has passed away—no matter what the reason, we take them. And we will until we educate every person in our community that spaying and neutering animals is the only humane thing to do, that owning a pet is a commitment for the lifetime of the pet, that abuse or neglect is unconscionable and illegal. And we will try to match every adoptable pet with a loving home. Every day. As we continue our journey of a Heart.


Mailing Address:
PO Box 88
Delhi, NY 13753

Call Us: 607-746-3080

Email Us: [email protected]