OUR STORY

High Country Humane is here today because of the dedication, commitment and heart of a diverse group of people and organizations, all with a unified vision: improving the lives of companion animals and the people who love them.

In 2016, Liz Bohlke, Diane Jarvis, Ken Lamm and Pamela Tharp came together with a big idea: establish a new level of care for companion animals and their people in the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County.

Diane, Pam and Liz brought their passion for helping homeless/at-risk companion animals manifested through Paw Placement of Northern Arizona (PPNAZ). Ken came with a passion for philanthropy and collaboration by engaging key community members toward common goals, and board chair experience with both the Wisconsin Humane Society and the Ozaukee County Humane Society.

This committed group of people established the Flagstaff Animal Welfare Task Force, inviting a cross section of representatives from area rescue organizations, the philanthropic community, local veterinarians, as well as representatives from the city and county governments.

In 2017, Flagstaff lost one of its key rescue organizations, Second Chance Center for Animals (SCCA), leaving a gap in community animal welfare services and an empty 20,000 square foot building built for that purpose. Recognizing an opportunity, the Task Force began to build community and governmental support for an initiative to move our community into the 21st century for animal services, and to encourage Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff to issue an intergovernmental agency Request for Proposal for animal welfare services.

In 2018, a number of important factors came into play. The family of Dick and Jean Wilson (the founders of SCCA) and the Second Chance Center Board of Directors generously offered to donate the SCCA land and facility to the people of Coconino County providing that the building was used as an animal shelter, and in April, the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County issued their first ever intergovernmental agency Request for Proposal.

Marshaling its community support and resources, the Task Force decided to bid on the contract for City and County shelter services, and established a new Board of Directors, utilizing the 501c3 status of PPNAZ as an umbrella, with the intention to do business as High Country Humane.

This new Board brought a wealth of experience and expertise in animal welfare programs, shelter leadership, veterinary and shelter medicine, philanthropic fund development, animal facilities and contract management, and visionary leadership.

In October 2018, High Country Humane, under the direction of this new Board of Directors, was awarded a five year intergovernmental agency contract with the City and County, to provide shelter services in the Second Chance building that was gifted to Coconino County.

On January 1, 2019, High Country Humane officially opened its doors to serve the community.

This new direction is an amazing opportunity for the people (and animals) of the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County. We take our new responsibility seriously, and look forward to serving our community for a very long time.