History

The Humane Society of Kent County was organized in 1883 by a group of citizens concerned for animals. The group operated out of donated office space, housing the animals in private homes and veterinarian clinics. The first Humane Society shelter was built in 1944 and housed the animals until it burned in 1969.  That year, in a virtual emergency due to the fire, the Society moved to 1890 Bristol NW in Grand Rapids. That move was a major step forward for the Society and provided significant improvements in its ability to serve as a haven for neglected, abused and abandoned animals.

In February, 2001 the Humane Society of Kent County moved to its new location at 3077 Wilson Drive NW in Grand Rapids. The current 21,500 square foot facility was generously funded by individual and corporate donors.  Their gifts to the building campaign have had a profound impact on the Society's mission, enabling the Society to improve the care it provides animals, increase the number of animal adoptions, expand volunteer opportunities, and launch new initiatives that benefit the community's animals.