Originally founded by Renee Moore as Morning Star Animal Shelter, the Humane Society of Harris County has served our community since 1991.  With a core group of dedicated volunteers the organization focused exclusively on the rescue and adoption of homeless animals.  Accepting surrendered animals or pulling from the Animal Control department of Harris County the organization is responsible for re-homing hundreds of cats and dogs.

As the organization grew it began a partnership with Pet Smart and Petco whose corporate mission includes the aid of homeless animals throughout the country.  Morning Star also entered into a partnership with Harris County sharing a portion of the county’s facility and acting as the adoption arm for the animals in their care.  Using both these in county and out of county venues the organization ran weekly adoption events, also using the opportunity to build awareness for animal welfare issues and to raise the much need operating money for the shelter.

In 2005 the shelter left the Harris County facility and since then has used foster homes and the generosity of private citizens to house the dogs and cats awaiting new permanent homes.  This arrangement greatly curtailed the number of animals that were able to be taken in on a regular basis but did not prevent the continued placement of both dogs and cats.

As development and a growing population expanded in Harris County the necessity for a permanent animal care facility became increasingly evident. In 2007, Morning Star Animal Shelter began a focused effort to expand its mission, to work with the public to create a safe and friendly environment for pet and non-pet owners alike and to begin the process to plan and build the much needed facility.  In November of 2007, the board voted to change the organization name from Morning Star Animal Shelter to Humane Society of Harris County.  This move was made to better reflect the organization’s expanded mission and to clearly identify the area it is dedicated to serve.

During the current year HSHC has finalized plans for the future Humane Society of Harris County Adoption and Education Center, developed a rendering of the planned facility, began a focused campaign within the community to encourage proper identification of all pets, established a new adoption location within Harris County and plans much more.  In February, 2009, the HSHC kicked off the capital campaign necessary to raise building funds. We plan to expand our pet identification program through a grant from Walmart and to build awareness of the importance of clear and concise animal ordinances in Harris County.

	Robert Archer, President
	Manager of Frisky Whisky Package Store/Wewst Point Georgia. Past Board, Georgia Alcohol Dealers Association GA Board, Lake Harding Association Board,  Harris County Chamber of Commerce Member, Old South Hunting Retriever Club (affiliate of United Kennel Club & Hunting Retriever Club ) Advisory Committee, Harris County Commissioners - Leash Law Member, Harris County Georgia Republican Party Member, Harris County Cattleman's Association
	Elaine McMillen, Secretary
	Published Author of "Come to Your Cooking Senses" Former Principal, McMillen Interiors Former Substitute Teacher, Muscogee County Public School System Past Board of Women at First Presbyterian, Columbus, GA Past Director of Youth Program, First Presbyterian Church, Columbus, GA Sustainer Member, Jr. League Member Lemon Tree Garden Club Member Eruditia Study Club
	Steve Shuman, Vice President
	Vice President Shuman Brothers Enterprises LaGrange College Leadership Council Harris County Rotary Club Humane Society of Harris County Board of Directors
	Cilla Watson, Treasurer
	Director, Humane Society of Harris County, Inc. Board Member of the Piedmont Homeowners Association Member of Eruditia,  Past President Retired, Synovus Financial and Columbus Bank and Trust Company- 41 years Past  President,Treasurer, Director,of TAG, an international user group for Diebold Past Board Member of PLUS ATM Network Past Committee Member of various VISA USA committees Member of St. Luke United Methodist Church, Columbus, GA Member of The Wynn House, Columbus, GA

	Art Barker, Director
	Director of Cardio/Pulmonary Services at Hughston Hospital, Columbus, Ga. Former Board Chair for the Arthritis Foundation Board, Southeast Georgia Region Former Board Member Arthritis Board Southeast Georgia Region Member American Association for Respiratory Care Member National Board for Respiratory care Member Georgia State Association for Respiratory Care Member American Cancer Society Golf Committee Former Team Captain, American Cancer Society, Relay for Life Animal Lover, Advocate and Rescuer.
	Lorraine F. Berry, Director, Fund Raising Chair
	Retired, AT&T Employed, Callaway Gardens Golf Course Committee Member, Pine Mountain Chamber of Commerce Member, Harris Co. Chapter of American Business Women's Association (ABWA) Committee Member, Longleaf Homeowner's Association
	Marcus Bice, Director
	Director, Humane Society of Harris County, Inc. Old South Hunting Retriever Club President HRC board member (UKC affiliate) Owner/Operator Mulberry Creek Kennels
	Tom Cheatham, Director
	Past Board, Georgia Propane Gas Association Lifetime Member, Georgia Propane Gas Association Past Treasurer, St. Nicholas Episcopal Church Member, Harris County 100, Fearst Foundation Board Member, Humane Society of Harris County, Inc. Member, Harris County Rotary Club
	Cynthia Haines, Director
	Director, Humane Society of Harris County, Inc. Board Director, Muscogee Youth Development Campus Administrative Assist/Accountant Specealist at Franciscan Wood Past Director of Operations, PAWS Columbus
	Lynn Sikes, Director
	Formerly employed by Gwinnett and Muscogee County Boards of Education Sustaining Member of Junior League of Columbus Member of Lemon Tree Garden Club Past President & Treasurer of the Auxillary to the Western District Dental Society Board of Directors & Treasurer Gulf County Property Owners Association Member of St. Luke United Methodist Church

	Kathryn Daly Genova, Executive Director
	Past Board, Hallockville Farm Museum, Riverhead (Long Island), NY Past Board, Shelburne Craft School, Shelburne, VT Past Board, School Board of Ferrisburgh, VT Past Board, Humane Society of Harris County, Hamilton, GA Member, North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHD) Member, Harris County Rotary Club