Our Mission

We promote animal and human welfare through:

  • care and adoption of homeless animals;
  • programs that enrich people’s lives through animal interaction.

FCHS is a privately run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, tax ID 43-1244655, dedicated to serving the homeless, abandoned, and lost dogs and cats in our area. We incorporated in 1981 and operated as a foster network for homeless pets for 13 years. In 1994, we opened our current shelter location in Union, Missouri.

Our Methods

We seek to fulfill our Mission by providing:

  • an open-admission shelter where homeless animals receive compassionate treatment, medical care, and adoption opportunities;
  • life-saving approaches to animal care including animal fostering, transportation, and off-site adoptions;
  • community programs that unite people and animals for learning opportunities and enjoyment; and
  • educational programs that reduce animal abuse, pet overpopulation, and euthanasia.

FCHS is an open-admission animal shelter, which means we accept stray dogs and cats brought to us and provide them the opportunity of adoption into forever homes. We do not accept feral cats brought to our shelter in a trap. Feral cats are not adoptable as pets. We are the only open-admission animal shelter within a 40-mile radius. Each year we serve thousands of pets in Franklin County, Missouri and surrounding areas including: Augusta, Gerald, Hermann, Labadie, New Haven, Pacific, Robertsville, St. Albans, St. Clair, Sullivan, Owensville, Union, Washington and more.

It costs over $1,800 a day to operate our shelter. We are supported by donations, fundraisers, grants and fees. We do not receive funding from Humane Society of Missouri, the United Way, federal, state or county governments or any animal welfare organizations.

We welcome support from our community. Learn more about opportunities to donate and volunteer. Meet our adoptable pets. Explore our services.

FCHSMO 2022 Community Impact

FCHSMO 990 Form

fchsmo 990 form

FCHSMO 2020 Audited Financial Statements

fchsmo 990 form