The Hancock County Animal Shelter is a county facility managed by the Hancock County Animal Shelter Foundation, a non-profit 501c3 organization. Founded in 1991, the Foundation worked to raise money for the construction of a new county shelter to replace the outdated facility then being used. Recently, the wonderful citizens of Hancock County have again shown their support for homeless animals in need by passing a county wide levy to update and expand our facility over the next three years.

The old shelter was a 30 year old garage converted to house animals. The septic system didn't work, the drainage system was inadequate, and there was no ventilation, heating, or cooling system. Animal cages were crowded; often three or four dogs in a small pen. Cats, both male and female, were kept in a single small room. Adoption rates were low and there was no mandatory spay and neuter policy in effect.

Seeing the need for a new facility, the HCASF got to work.With the help of area residents and businesses, the Foundation succeeded in its efforts and the new shelter opened on December 8, 1995. The caring residents of Hancock County, WV passed a $150,000 building levy to aid the Foundation in the construction of the new facility. This was the first such Levy to pass in West Virginia history.Having invested so much time and energy in the construction of the shelter, the Foundation opted to manage the facility as well.After months of contract negotiations, the Foundation assumed management of the shelter on August 8, 1997.

Today, the shelter is run in a humane manner. Incoming animals are assessed, vaccinated, and wormed. All animals are spayed or neutered either before leaving the shelter or by use of a voucher system after the animal is placed into a home.