It has been 25 years since the Beatrice Humane Society was formed and plans are being finalized to celebrate that milestone this month.

Director of the Beatrice Animal Shelter Carlee Fiddess says an open house and birthday party are scheduled for Saturday, August 16th at the shelter to celebrate the work that the society has done over the past 25 years.

“Each person that has helped along the way has pushed this organization a little bit further and it is amazing where we are at but its also because of what we have been able to do over the past 25 years”.

Fiddess says a full day of activities is being planned from 11am to 4pm to help celebrate this milestone.

“We are going to have a ton of activities at the shelter. We are going to have adoption specials….25 dollar adoption specials because it’s 25 years. We are going to have face painting. We are going to have sidewalk chalk. We are going to have cake for humans and balloon animals and pup cups. We are celebrating how far we have come and how many animals we have saved”.

Bette Ann Thaut served on the Humane Society Board for many years and remembers when the organization first formed and became active in the community.

“I notice in the world today there is so much strife and people are separated on just about every issue and its breaking up families, friends and communities but the one great common denominator is all of this is the love of a pet. That is why we have come where have because people from all backgrounds…it doesn’t matter what your politics, religion, education, social standing whatever it is…if you love pets and animals....they are helping us and are all working together.”

Fiddess says the 25 year success story of the Humane Society would not be possible with out the support of the community thru out the years.

“Right now we are doing 1400 adoptions a year which is just incredible. That is so many animals, that is so many families, that is so many lives that are changed because of this.”

Thaut says not only is the society responsible for providing a shelter for dogs and cats, but also the different services the society offers and the educational programs that have been created over the years.