(907) 789-0260 Main number (907) 789-6997 Animal Control 7705 Glacier Hwy. Juneau, AK 99801 Our Mission: The Gastineau Humane Society is dedicated to the promotion of animal welfare and the prevention of animal cruelty and suffering.

Our Mission: The Gastineau Humane Society is dedicated to the promotion of animal welfare and prevention of animal cruelty and suffering.


A Brief History of the Gastineau Humane Society

The Gastineau Humane Society (GHS) first opened its door in 1963. Staffed by volunteers, the original shelter was located under the Juneau-Douglas Bridge in a small space donated by the city and stocked with air kennels. As Juneau grew, so did the number of unwanted pets. By the mid 1970's, the original space was inadequate to handle the number of animals it was receiving. A local couple, concerned with the cramped conditions in the make shift building, donated land and volunteers set to work raising money to build a more permanent shelter. Climate and substandard building materials took their toll on the first shelter. Volunteers came to the rescue again and raised money to build the existing shelter in the mid 1980's. The shelter has 45 dog runs, two cat rooms (rooms designed specifically to hold cats in a common area so they do not have to be kenneled), two cat meet and greet rooms (where you can get to know an individual cat) and one dog meet and greet room (where you can spend time with one of the dogs). Additionally, we have quarantine areas for animals who have recently arrived and have not had a medical check up, an isolation ward for sick animals, medical kennels for animals who are recovering from surgery or serious injury and a clinic that cares for all GHS animals.

Animals from all over Southeast Alaska have received a second chance at life at the Gastineau Humane Society. The professional staff and dedicated volunteers provide care and love to animals 365 days a year.

-Education is the key to successfully accomplishing our mission. The shelter has a large number of one-on-one programs, training and information videos, printed material and professional resources to provide to any member of the public who wants or needs assistance.

-GHS is a private 501 (c) 3 non profit corporation. We are independent of and from any government agency.

-GHS is funded by membership dues, private donations, grants, sale of pet related items, boarding, grooming and independent contracts for specific services such as animal control and dog training.

-Animal control is a section of Gastineau Humane Society. The City and Borough of Juneau contracts with Gastineau Humane Society to provide animal control services. The contract outlines the duties and responsibilities of Gastineau Humane Society to the municipality. Animal control officers and the staff that supports animal control are employees of Gastineau Humane Society and are not attached to the City and Borough of Juneau in any manner.

-The benefits of the City and Borough of Juneau contracting out Animal control services to GHS are tremendous. CBJ saves on personnel costs such as salary, insurance, health and welfare benefits, workman's comp and facility costs such as insurance, utilities, maintenence, garbage disposal, etc. The biggest benefit, however, is to the animals. The shelter will house an animal for five days while Animal Control searches for the owner. After those five days the animal is simply moved to humane society control where it is elegible for adoption. This eliminates the horrible consequences of a "time Limit" that is often placed on animals lives.

-GHS does not euthanize any animal unless they have failed a temperament test or have a serious illness or condition that diminishes the quality of their life or affects the lives of other sheltered animals.

-GHS believes that the most effective way to reduce the population of unwanted pets is to have an active spay and neuter program.

How can the general public assist GHS with spaying and neutering?

Most importantly is to spay and neuter your own pets. Secondly we have a designated fund (meaning the money will be spent on spaying and neutering only) that people can donate to. This fund helps individuals who would like to spay and neuter their pet but cannot afford to do so.

Adoption Policy