New Facility Marks a Major Step Forward for Animal Care
HUNTSVILLE, Texas – The Rita B. Huff Humane Society recently welcomed visitors to its brand-new facility, located at 1495 Veterans Memorial Pkwy in Huntsville, giving them an opportunity to tour the shelter, interact with adoptable animals, and learn more about its mission. The event highlighted the shelter’s first adoptions in the new space and allowed attendees to see firsthand the improvements made to better care for homeless animals.
The shelter recently closed its previous location and officially moved into this modern facility, which provides a significantly larger space for animal housing and adoption services. The upgraded shelter includes expanded kennel areas, improved medical and exam rooms, and dedicated spaces for potential adopters to spend time with pets before making a decision.
Kelly Crews, a board member for the shelter, emphasized the importance of the new facility and the role it plays in providing a better environment for both the animals and the community.
“These are all exam rooms, and your family [can] spend time with them to see if they interact well,” Crews said.
Visitors explored the new cat rooms, where they could freely interact with the animals. A volunteer explained how the setup makes it easier for potential adopters to engage with the cats in a more natural environment.
Crews also noted a challenge the shelter is working to address—managing noise levels in the dog kennels due to the shelter’s concrete flooring and lack of soundproofing materials.
“[The dog kennels] are exceedingly loud because we have no sound baffling yet,” she said. “That is something we didn’t really realize we would need as much as we do.”
Despite the need for adjustments, visitors expressed their appreciation for the new facility’s open layout and improved amenities. The additional space and updated design create a more welcoming environment for both animals and potential adopters, making the transition from shelter life to a new home easier.
Board Member Reflects on Shelter’s Growth
Crews has served on the board for about a year and a half, joining at the encouragement of a friend already involved with the organization.
“My best friend was already on the board, and she said, ‘You really should come and help us because we’ve got a lot that we’re trying to do,’” Crews said. “When I joined the board, we were already well into the process of getting this house built, and we are so blessed because it’s totally donation[-funded].”
She described the effort to complete the project, emphasizing the need for funding.
“It just took us a big last-ditch effort to try and get enough donors and enough money to make this beautiful dream come true, and I wanted to be a part of that for sure,” Crews said.
Having recently returned to Huntsville, Crews saw the shelter as an opportunity to reconnect with the community and give back.
“I have been away from Huntsville for a long time,” she said. “I just moved back to Huntsville about a year and a half ago, so as soon as I came back, I was ready to join the board and try and see what I could do to help make this happen.”
First Adoptions Bring Excitement
The shelter recently celebrated its first two adoptions, marking an important milestone for the organization and its new facility.
“We’ve actually already had our first two adoptions out of this facility,” Crews said. “We were very, very pleased.”
One of the animals adopted was a longtime resident of the shelter.
“One of our big guys, Enzo the dog, was adopted yesterday, and he’s been here for quite a while,” she said. “So we were very happy that he went home.”
The shelter also saw one of its cats find a new home.
“One of our cats went home as well,” Crews added.
The significance of these adoptions extended beyond just two animals finding homes—it demonstrated that the new facility is already making a positive impact on adoption efforts.
Volunteers Share Their Experiences with the Cats
Two volunteers who work closely with the cats shared their thoughts on the new facility and the adoption process. One explained how the space is designed to make it easier for visitors to meet potential pets.
“This setup is really nice because you can just walk in and spend time with the cats,” one volunteer said. “They’re not in cages like they used to be, so you can really see how they interact.”
Another volunteer noted how the new environment benefits the animals.
“They seem a lot more comfortable here,” the second volunteer said. “Before, it was harder for people to really connect with them because they were in kennels. Now, they can just walk right up to you.”
Several visitors spent time in the cat rooms during the open house, interacting with the animals and asking questions about their personalities. Volunteers emphasized that spending time with the cats before adopting helps create better matches and ensures that the animals go to homes where they will thrive.
“The way it’s set up now makes it so much easier for people to just sit down and interact with them,” one volunteer added. “We’ve had people who weren’t even planning to adopt end up falling in love with a cat just because they were able to spend time with them.”
Enhanced Facilities Provide Better Care for Animals
The new Rita B. Huff Humane Society facility introduces several improvements designed to enhance animal care and streamline the adoption process. In addition to the expanded cat rooms and dog kennels, the shelter includes a dedicated puppy room, providing a quieter, enclosed space for younger dogs to feel secure.
The shelter also features a surgery room, allowing staff and veterinarians to perform medical procedures on-site, reducing stress for the animals and improving overall efficiency. A meeting room has already been used by potential adopters, offering a private space where families can spend time with pets before making a decision. These upgrades, combined with the improved layout, contribute to a more effective and welcoming environment for both animals and the community.
Looking Ahead: The Shelter’s Ongoing Mission
The Rita B. Huff Humane Society continues to serve as a vital resource for homeless and abandoned animals in the Huntsville area. While the new facility represents a major improvement, Crews emphasized that the work is far from over.
“There’s still so much we need to do,” she said. “The facility is great, but we have to make sure we keep it running, that we have the right resources, and that we can continue to grow.”
The shelter remains committed to finding loving homes for its animals and encourages community members to get involved through donations, volunteering, and adoption. Many of those in attendance at the open house expressed interest in contributing their time or financial support to help the organization sustain its progress.
With more visitors coming through its doors and additional adoptions on the horizon, the shelter is quickly becoming a hub for animal welfare in Huntsville. Community members are encouraged to play a role in ensuring that every animal receives the care and attention it deserves.
For those interested in adopting, donating, or volunteering, more information can be found on the shelter’s official website at rbhhumanesociety.org.
As more animals find homes and the shelter continues to evolve, the Rita B. Huff Humane Society remains dedicated to providing a safe, welcoming space for animals in need.
