Minnesota Humane Society

By Michael Chock

The Minnesota Humane Society (MHS) is a non-profit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a mission to protect the lives and interests of the states domesticated and wild animals. Founded in 1869, it is one of the oldest humane societies in the United States and one of the first to make cruelty to animals a felony punishable by law.

Today, the MHS does not function as an animal shelter, but it does serve three main functions in Minnesota: rescue, advocacy, and public education. MHS volunteers rescue cats, dogs, and other animals from unhealthy conditions and provide veterinary services such as spaying, neutering, and deworming. All rescued animals go directly to foster homes or to several of Minnesotas animal adoption centers. MHS also includes a political action committee that lobbies legislators in the state to set limits on various forms of hunting and enact laws for the protection of companion pets. MHS representatives also provide pet ownership workshops at elementary schools in the state, and they hold public education events at the Twin Cities Pet Expo and Minnesota State Fair each year.

Michael Chock is an executive at Delta Air Lines in the Netherlands, a former Minnesota resident, and a contributor to the Minnesota Humane Society. After adopting a rescued greyhound several years ago, Michael Chock became committed to the humane societys mission and he continues to support the MHS each year through his charitable donations.