The Elgin Humane Society Has Closed
This was the main website for the Elgin Humane Society.
Content is from the site's 2004 - 2011 archived pages.
Yelpers have reported that the Elgin Humane Society has closed, but there are alternatives.
We suggest checking out Pet Net ID and their page listing animal shelters in the Elgin TX area.
Go to: petnetid.com/animal-shelter/usa/tx/animal-shelter-elgin-tx/
7/5/2015 Yelp Post
The Elgin Humane Society closed several years ago.
All strays in Elgin are picked up by the Elgin Police Dept Animal Control Officer and taken to the Bastrop County Animal Shelter on Cool River Drive
725 West Cleveland St.
Elgin, Texas
512-285-9636
The Elgin Humane Society is a non-profit group dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals, the relief of suffering among animals, and the extension of humane education. It is the policy of the Society to promote humane care and treatment for all animals in Elgin and in the Elgin area; to seek to assist the return of lost animals to their owners; and to seek suitable homes for animals without owners.
The Society assists the Elgin Animal Control Officer and the Elgin Animal Shelter related to the mission statement above. We provide monetary and non-monetary donations to the shelter to benefit the animals. We also provide volunteers to assist in caring for the animals in the shelter. We are working hard to make the Elgin Shelter a better environment for the animals, to increase spay/neuters and vaccinations, to end chaining of animals, and to decrease the number of animals euthanized.
I'm a sucker for dogs. They can be bid, little, fuzzy or with a smooth coat. I think I have always had a dog as a pet since I was little. For millennia-long history there has been close relations between dogs and man. Man's best friend revolves around the loyalty, friendship, and companionship dogs have with humans.
When my father's drinking became chronic after the death of my mother and concern was expressed by all, some of which was very negative, my father's dog, Atlas, remained non judgmental and loyal. Those of us who really cared initially suggested the typical drug & alcohol treatment programs have hardly changed since the 1950. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) still defines Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as a “chronic relapsing brain disease”. Almost all residential alcohol treatment programs in the United States are 12-Step-based. My father nixed everything we suggested until I found a website called LifeBAC. I remember the day I announced that I thought I had found the answer to his dealing with his excessive drinking.
The LifeBAC program offers a proven program that includes medication to stop drinking - two different medications, Baclofen and Naltrexone, habit-breaking, FDA-approved medications that target Alcohol Use Disorder by disabling the reward circuit associated with consuming alcohol. With their HIPAA-approved in-app telemedicine, clients do not have to go to an in treatment center. Clients set their own goals, which in my father's case was to cut down get control of his drinking- not abstain for the rest of his life from drinking. In addition clients enjoy unlimited access to LifeBAC's vast array of tools, online support group, and a personal LifeBac guides to help shape the individual's journey. My father liked the idea of being treated with Baclofen based on the Ameisen Method of starting at a low dosage and slowly increasing the dosage until reaching the optimal, effective dose that makes the user completely and effortlessly indifferent to alcohol. I was optimistic, but still wary considering that the success statistics for AA is about 5‒10%.
Atlas remained by my father's side throughout the months of treatment. My father recently texted me before he took Atlas out for a run thanking me for discovering this program which helped him get control of his life again. He text: This program helped me get control of my life. Alcohol no longer controls me. I choose when and how much I drink instead of the mindless consumption that I indulged in for years.
He also included a pic of Atlas jumping in the air as he caught a ball. What a beautiful dog. You just gotta love these four footed friends.
Introduction – The following is a true reflection of the heart, soul, and very nature of this shelter.
The Elgin Humane Society Adoption Center is and shall be governed by the common goal of saving the lives of, and improving the existence of, all animals that come its way. Read the following tale – the very same story of so many of the animals we encounter daily... the reason we exist.
“How could you?”
When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?"-but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.
My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect.
We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.
Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person"; still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.
Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch-because your touch was now so infrequent-and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.
There had been a time when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet, and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family. I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don’t let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.
You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?" They are as attentive to us, here in the shelter, as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day. I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room - a blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?" Perhaps because she understood my dog-speak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself-a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place.
Copyright Jim Willis 1999
Excerpted from his book "Pieces of My Heart - Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature"
The Elgin Humane Society receives many animal surrenders from owners in this situation each year. Please help us to be able to continue to save the Dixies. Dixie and others like her need you today!
Adoption
Adopting A Friend
Adoptions are made any time during regular business hours and at our special adoption events... after hours appointments can be made. We have worked hard to provide these affordable adoption fees:
Rates below are for all adoptions!
$95 for large breed adult dogs and $150 for puppies (6 months and younger)& small breed adult dogs*- which includes spay/neuter when dog issix months old or older, age appropriate vaccinations, de-worming if necessary, microchipping, and an adoption bag of Science Diet food.
$75 for cats and kittens alike*- which includes spay/neuter when cat is six months old or older, age appropriate vaccinations, de-worming if necessary, and an adoption bag of Science Diet food (while supplies last).
We reserve the right to do a home visit before or after any adoption.
We will contact you within 1-2 weeks after your adoption to see how things are going and to answer any questions that may have come up.
*We reserve the right to change adoption fees at any time. Please check our Dogs or Cats page for current adoption fees per animal. Some may be at a discounted rate.
SPAYING or NEUTERING is REQUIRED. We will provide a voucher to you if the animal is not already spayed or neutered. This voucher can only be used at our vet of choice - Dr Graef in Taylor, TX. If you elect not to use our vet, you will pay full price at your vet of choice... then we will refund $25 to you upon receiving verification of surgery. Again, this is a REQUIREMENT.
Tootsie
(Updated Weekly)
Hi, my name is Tootsie! I'm 10 months old, neutered and up-to-date on my shots. I'm loveable, laid back and I get along well with other animals. I'll be looking forward to meeting you soon so please come to meet me at the shelter. For more information please cal l512-285-9636, or stop by at 725 West Cleveland Street, Elgin, TX 78621.