Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Humane Society of Harlingen do and where do their pets come from?

The Humane Society of Harlingen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter located in Harlingen, Texas. We shelter lost and homeless pets and work to reunite them with their owners or match them with loving forever homes. HSH accepts pets brought in through the City of Harlingen Animal Control and the City of Palm Valley Animal Control. We also intake lost and homeless pets from the community on an appointment-only basis. Every year, HSH shelters an average of 6,000 pets.



I just found a stray animal, what do I do? Can you come pick it up?

Thank you for keeping an eye out for lost pets! Unfortunately, HSH does not have a field services department to pick animals up. You can read our step-by-step guide on what to do if you've found a stray pet here.



I need to surrender my pet- can I bring it to you?

We accept lost & homeless pets from the public on an appointment-only basis. We do this to ensure that we always have enough space for the pets in our care to be safely and comfortably housed. We are unable to accept walk-in drop offs. If you're needing to surrender your pet, please click here to read about our surrender process and some alternatives to surrender. If you adopted this pet from the Humane Society of Harlingen, please call (956) 425-7297.



Can I make an appointment to have my pet vaccinated? Can I purchase pet medications from HSH?

HSH is only able to provide vaccinations or sell medications (including those that protect against fleas, ticks, and heartworms) during our monthly low-cost vaccination clinics. These are pre-registration only clinics that are held once a month at the shelter. Every clinic is different, so make sure to check out hshtx.org/monthly-clinic for more information or to register for the next clinic!



My neighbors dog is being neglected/abused. What do I do if I witness animal abuse or neglect? Can you help?

Thank you for keeping an eye out for abuse and neglect! HSH is a nonprofit animal shelter, and we have no jurisdiction when it comes to abuse or neglect. We recommend first reaching out to your local Animal Control and non-emergency police department. They are the ones who handle these cases. If you live in Harlingen, the phone number for animal control is (956) 216-5220.



Is HSH a kill shelter?

The Humane Society of Harlingen has proudly been aligned with the no-kill philosophy for more than a year, saving more than 92% of the animals that come into our care annually. Thanks to the support of our community, we have been able to effectively and effeciently match pets with loving forever homes and avoid euthanizing for time or space. You can read more about our no-kill practices on our blog.



Can I get my pet spayed/neutered at HSH?

The Humane Society of Harlingen does not currently have a spay/neuter clinic set up to the public, but we are working hard to make that happen! Please check back here soon.



My pet is lost! Can you help?

Oh no! We are sorry to hear that you're missing your furry friend. About six thousand animals come into the shelter every year. If your pet is missing, it is important that you read our step-by-step guide on what to do if you've lost a pet here as soon as possible so that shelter staff can be notified to keep a look out for your pet. It is also important that you continue checking here for dogs and here for cats on a regular basis to see a live listing of all of the pets currenly in our shelter, as you will be able to identify your pet better than anyone else. Please remember that we will do everything possible to assist you in finding your lost pet, but it is ultimately the responsibility of the pet owner to search for their missing pet.



Is HSH open to the public right now?

At the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, HSH moved to all curbside services. While the building itself is not physically open to walk through, we continue to offer most of the services as before. If you're interested in utilizing one of our services, we encourage you to come by the shelter and give us a call when you're outside so that we can come out to help.



How can I support HSH?

Thank you for your interest in supporting the lifesaving work at the Humane Society of Harlingen. You can support our mission by adopting, fostering, volunteering, or donating. Have a creative idea that you think will help the pets at HSH? Please reach out to our Community Engagement Coordinator, Sarah, via email at sarah@hshtx.org or (956) 425-7297.



Does HSH offer euthanasia services?

The Humane Society of Harlingen does not offer euthanasia services, as we do not have a veterinarian on staff, and believe that the decision to euthanize is one that should be made between the pet parent and a veterinary professional.