Central PA Humane SocietyCentral PA Humane SocietyT he Central PA Humane Society (CPHS), serving Blair and surrounding counties in central Pennsylvania, is a charitable, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping animals and people.
Our mission here at CPHS is to prevent animal neglect and cruelty through education and enforcement while providing a safe haven and finding forever homes for those in need.
Our adoption programs, our outreach to rescue groups, and our use of foster care have created a flow of animals in and out of our shelter that, more often than not, leaves us with space available. CPHS won’t euthanize for an illness that can be treated, behavior that can be modified, or for a length of stay, providing there is quality of life for the pet.
Because definitions such as treatable and modified can vary with each case and we question the need for definitions or catch-phrases, we at CPHS choose to refer to our shelter and the work we do here as “LIFE-SAVING” rather than “No-Kill.”
The designation of “no-kill” can be applied to any shelter that euthanizes less than 10 percent of their animals a year, for reasons of health and temperament. CPHS has met this designation and has provided a safe haven and forever homes to more than 90% of animals that enter our facility.
We at CPHS provide many valuable programs and services from helping you find a pet or providing affordable veterinary care. All animals are safe and cared for at CPHS until their FURever home comes along. CPHS also offers a number of donation. membership, volunteer and sponsorship programs.
The primary goal of CPHS is to find loving homes for adoptable animals. If you’re looking for a wonderful life-long companion, then you’ve come to the right place! CPHS has many animals of every shape and size to choose from.
Volunteers are a vital part of the CPHS team. Without them, we would not be able to perform many of the essential functions at our shelter. PHS is always looking for eager volunteers to assist with the shelter animals and everyday responsibilities of shelter life.
The Central PA Humane Society relies heavily on foster homes to help them care for the thousands of animals that come into the shelter each year. If you can open your heart and your home to an animal in need then please view our foster requirements and then complete your foster application.
It’s only through donations and fundraising efforts that we are able to do our job each day and bring hope to our many residents. We need the support of our community because CPHS receives little or no governmental support and depends almost entirely on our community and your generosity.
If you have lost or found an animal, please contact us at (814) 942-5402 as soon as possible to make a report to one of our staff members. This report includes a detailed description of your pet, the last place it was seen, and the best way to reach you in the event that your pet makes its way into the shelter.
Spay Days is a low-cost spay/neuter program offered by us in conjunction with participating veterinarians and citizens concerned about the problem of companion animal overpopulation. It is designed to offer some financial support for loving, responsible pet owners who are not financially able to afford the entire cost of surgery.
The Central PA Humane Society offers community support to pet owners throughout your pet’s lifetime. All of our staff own pets; therefore, we can empathize when a pet owner must make decisions about a pet’s passing. We have a number of options that can help ease the stress and grief of losing your precious pet.
To help control the feral cat overpopulation problem, CPHS offers Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR). This is the recommended method nationwide for controlling feral cat colonies. TNR is a planned, humane program for bringing feral cats to the clinic for spaying or neutering and then the cats are released back to where they were found. TNR offers these cats a healthier life in the wild.
If reporting animal cruelty or neglect in Blair County, please call our Humane Officer at (814) 942-3780 on Monday to Friday 8:30am-5pm or send an email to cphs.policedepartment@gmail.com detailing your name and contact details, and a brief description of your complaint. Please include your contact details so that we may contact you about your complaint. Your information will remain confidential.
Monday
Closed
Tuesday–Thursday
12:30pm–4:30 pm
Friday
12:30 pm–7:00 pm
Saturday–Sunday
12:30 pm–4:30 pm
Address:
Central PA Humane Society
1837 East Pleasant Valley Blvd.
Altoona, PA 16602
Phone:
Email:
Have a question? Here are some frequently asked questions by our community.
CPHS is a non-profit organization, not a municipal or government agency, so we do not receive government funds other than fees for service. We rely solely on donations from our local community to serve our animals and community. We receive no funding from national organizations, such as HSUS or the ASPCA unless we apply for and receive grants.
Some shelters promote that they are “no kill”, which may be misleading or unrealistic. In some cases, humane euthanasia may be necessary due to medical or behavior issues. There is no time limit on how long we keep an animal; we do not euthanize based on length of stay. As long as an animal remains medically and behaviorally healthy, it will remain at our shelter until adoption. CPHS is designated as a no kill shelter as our euthanasia rate is well below the 10% required to be deemed no kill.
CPHS primarily serves Blair County, PA.
The shelter residents include dogs, puppies, cats, kittens and small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and hamsters. We occasionally care for reptiles and pot bellied pigs.
Our adoption package includes spay/neuter surgery, first round of vaccinations (DHLPP & Bordetella for dogs), FVRCP for cats), a current rabies vaccination, deworming, leukemia & aids test (cats), a shelter ID tag (dogs) and a microchip.
CPHS assists pet owners in every way possible to prevent them from having to give up their pet. Please call us at (814) 942-5402 so we can help you. If you are unable to find a new home for your pet and need to surrender him, acceptance is dependent on space. We do request that you make an appointment before bringing your pet to us. Additionally, a $30 surrender fee is required.
For stray dogs please call your local Police, State Police or State Dog Warden. They will either arrange dispatch of a Humane Officer to pick up a stray dog or may be able to offer assistance. There is no pick up service for stray cats, but if space allows we can take them into the shelter. Please call to check space availability before bringing a stray cat in.
CPHS does not offer humane euthanasia for the public. We may be able to provide you with a number for a veterinarian in your area that can perform that service. We do have cremation service available for owned pets. Our fees vary based on the size of your pet. Please call our shelter at (814) 942-5402 for more information.
We encourage you to contact the CPHS Humane Officer at (814) 942-3780 to promptly investigate the situation. Complainant information is kept strictly confidential. If the situation is occurring in the City of Altoona, contact Officer Mike Daversa at (814) 949-2499.
No. CPHS provides services for stray and surrendered animals in our community.
CPHS does NOT offer veterinarian services for the public. We have a contract veterinarian that services shelter animals only.
There are many ways you can help the animals. CPHS has a “wish list” of items regularly used to care for our animals. Donations of your time as a volunteer helps CPHS achieve the tasks needed to operate the shelter and take care of the animals. Donations of money help to offset the costs of operating the shelter, such as paying for utilities or buying supplies that haven’t been donated. And, if and when you are able, adopt your next pet from CPHS.
There are many jobs that you can do, and we welcome you! Opportunities include cage cleaning, clerical duties, laundry, fundraising events, animal socializing, and photography for website and Petfinder account. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at (814) 942-5402, for more details.
Quite simply, CPHS encourages that you spay or neuter your pets. Monetary donations to our Spay Days program helps us provide lost cost spay / neuter surgeries to pet owners with financial difficulty. Also, we respectfully request that you adopt pets from animal shelters. In many cases, we have purebred and “designer” dogs and cats waiting for new homes.
First and foremost, spay or neuter your pet. Take the time to research the breed of animal prior to adopting, since pet ownership is a lifelong commitment. Keep your pet up-to-date on all vaccines, not just rabies. Annual checkups are encouraged to keep your pet as healthy as possible. Give your pet time to adjust in his new home, and promptly correct behavior issues that may arise. There are many resources to help you with this. Make time for exercise and for play. Keep ID on your pet at all times, or have your pet microchipped. Also, take pictures of your pet from various angles to help identify your pet if he ever becomes lost. Last, but not least, appreciate the unconditional love your pet can bring you!