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 (Interim)
	Principal, Backwater Package Store, Fortson (Lake Harding), GA Board, Georgia Alcohol Dealers Association GA Board, Lake Harding Association Board, Old South Hunting Retriever Club (affiliate of United Kennel Club) Advisory Committee, Harris County Commissioners - Leash Law Member, Harris County Chamber of Commerce Member, Harris County Georgia Republican Party Member, Harris County Cattleman's Association
	Tom Cheatham, Treasurer (Interim)
	Past Board, Georgia Propane Gas Association Lifetime Member, Georgia Propane Gas Association Treasurer, St. Nicholas Episcopal Church Member, Harris County 100, Fearst Foundation Board Member, Humane Society of Harris County, Inc. Member, Harris County Rotary Club
	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 Member, Jr. League Capital Campaign Coordinator, Cancer Society, Charlotte, NC Committee Chair, Piedmont Homeowner's Association
	Gina Thomas, Vice President
	Commercial Real Estate Developer, The Taratoot Company, Inc., Atlanta, GA Principal, Davis & Company, Pine Mountain, GA Former VP of Leasing, CNM & BCP (Ben Carter Properties), Atlanta, GA Member of Harris County Chamber of Commerce Member Adoptive & Foster Parents Association of Georgia Charter Member/Organizer, Adoptive & Foster Parent Association, 5 county region

	Lorraine F. Berry, Fund Raising Chairperson
	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.
	Neal Callahan, Director
	Partner, Waldrep, Mullin & Callahan, LLC Former Board, current Member, Piedmont Homeowner's Association Former Board, Capital Campaign/Building Fund, Christ the King Church Counsel, Headstart/Enrichment Services Chairman, Successful Campaign for Bobby Peters for Superior Court Judge, Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit Chairman, Successful Campaign for Maureen Gottfried for State Superior Court Judge, Muscogee County Executive Board, Last 3 Campaigns for Sheriff Ralph Johnson, Muscogee County Executive Board, Successful Campaign for Chief Superior Court Judge Kenneth Followill, Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit Past President, current Member, Chattahoochee Bar Association Past President, Columbus Younger Lawyer's Association Past Committee Member, UGA Law School Dean Search Past Coach of approx. 20 teams, Columbus Youth Soccer Association (CYSA) Past Coach, 3 seasons, Upward Bound Basketball Association
	Cynthia Haines, Director
	Director, Humane Society of Harris County, Inc.
	Steve Shuman, Director
	Vice President Shuman Brothers Enterprises LaGrange College Leadership Council Harris County Rotary Club Humane Society of Harris County Board of Directors
	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
	Angela Stillwell, Director
	Principal, Veracity Advisors, LLC, Columbus, GA Former Chief Operating Officer, US Carrier Telecom, Atlanta, GA Former General Manager, E.spire, Atlanta, GA Board, National Association of Business Advisors, Atlanta, GA Board President, Great Dane Club of the Mid-South National Founding Partner, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) Hospitality Chair, Atlanta Kennel Club, AKC Affiliate Member, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) Member, Society of Financial Service Professionals (SFSP) Member, Insurance & Financial Leaders of the Southeast (IFLSE) Member, AXA Women's Leadership Council Member, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Former Committee, Small Business Development, Columbus Chamber of Commerce Former Director, Boykin Spaniel Rescue
	Cilla Watson, Director
	Director, Humane Society of Harris County, Inc.

	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