About Us
Find out who we are and what we do
Operations
Our Story
River Cities Humane Society for Cats began with a simple but powerful idea: that every cat deserves safety, compassion, and the chance to live a full life.
In 1989, a group of compassionate women in Monroe, Louisiana gathered to discuss a growing problem in their community—the lack of resources for stray and abandoned cats. Among them was founding member Shelley McCullin, who helped lead the effort to create a safe place for cats who otherwise had nowhere to go.
What started as a small conversation soon grew into something much bigger. The group formed River Cities Humane Society for Cats, dedicated to creating one of the first cageless, no-kill shelters for cats in Louisiana.
The First Shelter
In the early years, the organization operated with limited resources but an extraordinary amount of determination.
With the help of community supporters, the founders relocated a donated house to Monroe and completely renovated it. In 1992, the shelter officially opened its doors to the public. The building quickly became known affectionately as the “little yellow house,” and it served as the first cageless, no-kill cat shelter in Louisiana.
From the very beginning, the goal was simple: give cats a safe place to heal, socialize, and eventually find loving homes.
Growing With the Community
As the need for services continued to grow, so did the shelter.
With the support of donors and volunteers, River Cities Humane Society for Cats was eventually able to purchase commercially zoned property and construct a larger facility designed specifically to care for cats. This location remains the shelter’s home today.
Over the years, the organization has evolved from a small grassroots rescue into a trusted community resource for animal welfare in Northeast Louisiana.
A Lifesaving Mission
Since opening its doors, River Cities Humane Society for Cats has helped more than 14,000 cats and kittens find loving homes.
Most of the animals who come to the shelter are rescued strays brought in by compassionate members of the community. Others are pets surrendered by families facing difficult life circumstances such as illness, housing changes, or financial hardship. The shelter also cares for cats whose caregivers have passed away, ensuring they receive love and stability until they find new homes.
With the support of local veterinarians, every cat adopted from the shelter is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and tested for common feline illnesses, helping reduce overpopulation and improve the health of the community’s cat population.
Continuing the Work
More than three decades after that first meeting in 1989, River Cities Humane Society for Cats continues to grow and evolve.
Today the organization provides not only shelter and adoption services, but also community programs, outreach, and partnerships designed to improve the lives of cats throughout Northeast Louisiana.
Through the dedication of staff, volunteers, donors, and supporters, the shelter remains committed to its founding vision: ensuring that no cat in our community is forgotten or left without hope.
Looking Ahead
The future of River Cities Humane Society for Cats is built on the same values that inspired its founders—compassion, determination, and community support.
With continued partnerships and public support, the organization is working toward a future where every cat in Northeast Louisiana has the chance to be safe, loved, and home.