The legal name is: “Hudson Valley Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals”. The Society was incorporated in New York in 1891 as
the “Rockland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” under special legislation creating societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
It was the ninth society to be formed under this legislation in the State of New York.

HVHS is a New York not-for-profit corporation. It is “tax exempt” pursuant to Section 501(c) (3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Contributions to HVHS are deductible from Federal and New York State ncome tax to the extent permitted by law.

HVHS's Tax ID Number is: 13-1740025

HVHS's Tax Exempt number is: EX 119476

HVHS has not received any funding from government sources since 2001. Prior to 2001, HVHS received approximately 10-15% of its annual operating funds from animal control contracts with local municipalities.

Although accurate information is problematic, estimates are that some six to eight million animals enter shelters annually in the United States. Only about thirty-five (35) per cent find new homes.

Under NYS law, stray animals delivered to HVHS must be kept for at least seven (7) days. If unclaimed after seven (7) days, by their rightful owner, the animals become the property of HVHS and become available for adoption. An animal surrendered to HVHS by its legal owner immediately belongs to HVHS and is available for adoption.

YES. HVHS believes that no healthy, adoptable animal should be put to sleep. HVHS uses its limited resources to promote adoption. For more than a decade, its shelter’s adoption rate for cats and dogs exceeded greater than 90%. There is never a time limit for an adoptable animal in an HVHS facility. “No Kill” is the goal at which HVHS aims, but, the policy creates a dilemma: some animals surrendered to shelters are not adoptable. For instance, temperament issues and severe illness make some animals not adoptable. To keep un-adoptable animals locked in cages indefinitely seems unkind and inhumane.

HVHS has supported spay/neuter for many years. All animals are spayed or neutered before they are permitted to leave. If an animal is too young to
be spayed or neutered, HVHS requires adopters to pre-pay the spay/neuter fee and have it performed at the earliest date. HVHS then pays the veterinarian directly.

Spay/Neuter is the most important animal population control device for reducing the number of unwanted animals in shelters. Animal populations, when uncontrolled, tend to expand geometrically.
Consider an unsprayed female:

		Dog	Cat
	Age can produce first litter	7 - 9 months	4 - 10 months
	Possible litters per year	2	3
	Number per litter	6 - 12	4 - 6
	Gestation period	58 - 71 days	58 - 71 days

Under normal circumstances, the animal will be returned to its owner. If, however, there is an indication, such as anticipated neglect, that it would not be in the animal’s best interest to return it to its owner, HVHS will not return the animal, or, it may return the animal conditionally.

Return the animal to HVHS. A pet not in a suitable home is not beneficial to the adopter or the pet. HVHS always will accept the return of the animal.

The animal will not be returned to the former owner, unless the adopters voluntarily agree to return it. HVHS does not disclose the identity of or
provide contact information about persons who adopt animals without
the prior consent of the adopters.