Community makes Auburn Valley Humane Society strong

Published 3:32 pm Wednesday, July 1, 2026

The Auburn Valley Humane Society (AVHS) works hard, in the minimal space that they have, to provide the best care and find the best homes for the animals that come through its doors.

Located at 4910 A St. SE, the AVHS team does what they can to support all of their animals. In addition to the staff that works at the shelter, there are over 90 active fosters that help provide care for the animals in need. There also are many volunteers who come into the shelter for laundry, dog walking and other chores.

During an in-depth, behind-the-scenes tour of the shelter, it was clear that the cats, dogs and small critters were in a fun and comfortable environment. For cats, there are several large enclosures in the visitor’s area filled with toys, climbing structures and other activities. A station outside these many rooms is filled with books, treats and even more toys for visitors to use when visiting the cats.

Dogs have an outside play area and are taken on daily walks down along the nearby White River.

Additionally, for both cats and dogs, there are enrichment carts to help keep the animals entertained. The program “helps mental stimulation for the animals, specifically with [their] behavioral and medical needs,” said the shelter’s administrative veterinarian Sarah Blackburn.

Many aspects of this program, and others like it at AVHS, are run by volunteers. Shelter director Aidan Barba gave a “big shout out to our volunteers. They do a good portion of our support.” She added that “we really would not be able to care for the animals we have without our volunteers.”

All animals are vaccinated when they arrive at the shelter and are given a flea treatment and dewormer. They also are spayed and neutered, a critical step to keeping stray animals off the streets, Barba said.

The shelter also relies heavily on donations from the community to provide for their animals. For example, AVHS runs an Auburn thrift store at 1123 E. Main St.

“Everything that’s sold at the thrift store supports the shelter,” said AVHS CEO Katrina Megrath.

They also work with local food banks and food pantries to receive wet and dry food for the animals. In addition to these donations, people can donate at the shelter, which is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

During the tour, Blackburn showed off an incubator that a community member had purchased off of the shelter’s online wishlist. A 4-week-old black kitten slept inside of a tiny bed made out of a Kleenex box and immediately popped up upon noticing the people outside of the window.

Blackburn explained that he was found outside in the heat a week ago and had a serious upper respiratory infection. This incubator had saved his life.

“With this type of care he can breathe better and eat better,” shelter director Barba said.

Although AVHS’s capacity is capped at only 50 animals, it has helped more than 17,000 animals find homes since opening in 2013.

Through its new canine playgroup program, socialization in foster homes and visitors reading with cats on their laps, AVHS helps as many animals as they are able to find permanent families.

“We try to minimize stress and fear in the animals as much as possible,” veterinarian Blackburn said.

CEO Megrath put the shelter’s philosophy simply:

“Everyone works together,” she said.