Memphis Humane Society
The Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County has been a compassionate force in the community since 1933, dedicated to rescuing and caring for animals in need. From offering medical care and rehabilitation to homeless animals to educating future animal advocates, their work is essential to preventing cruelty and promoting responsible pet ownership.
To learn more about the Humane Society’s impact, we spoke with Executive Director Ellen Zahariadis, who shared insights into their mission, how locals can get involved, and the organization’s goals for the future.
1.Tell us about the Humane Society: Why is the work you do important?
The Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County works tirelessly to save the lives of animals that have been injured, abused, and neglected. Our goal is to prevent animal cruelty and to enrich the human experience through animal companionship. Located in the heart of Shelby Farms Park, we shelter over 800 animals each year and adopt out almost all of them. We also offer programming that helps keep pets in loving homes, including a free pet food pantry, affordable dog training, and a Low-Cost Community Vet Clinic for pet owners on government assistance.
Educational initiatives include summer camp for ages 8-12 and vet tech workshops for older teens interested in a career as a veterinarian.
2. How can Memphians get involved with your organization or volunteer?
We’re always in need of volunteers. To get started, please visit www.memphishumane.org and click on the Volunteer tab to fill out the application. We’re looking for dog walkers, cat caretakers, administrative help, event support, and more. If you’d like to bring a group of volunteers, you can email volunteer@memphishumane.org. Volunteers must be 18 or older.
