ORGANIZATION HISTORY Founded 60 years ago, Animal Charity of Ohio, Inc. began its mission to save abused, abandoned, and neglected animals in Mahoning County. Dr. Jean Kelty and Perc Kelty founded Animal Charity in their garage in 1963. What started as two people rescuing dozens of animals has turned into an exceptional organization, still working hard today. Over the years, Animal Charity of Ohio, has grown and developed into our present-day facility. Due to the pandemic and a drastic increase in community need in the years following, it became evident that expansion past our two facilities would be key in continuing to provide services to the abused, abandoned and neglected animals in Mahoning County, Ohio. This lead to the next era of Animal Charity of Ohio: the expansion to a new location to meet the growing need. After 60 years, we function like a well-oiled machine to rescue the companion animals in our community that are abused, neglected, hoarded, and abandoned, and will continue to do this for generations to come. ABOUT Animal Charity is a 501 c3 registered non-profit organization with a veterinary clinic and is the only humane society in Mahoning County. Every year millions of pets are abused, neglected, and abandoned. Our affordable prices help support our humane program to fight animal cruelty and to educate the public on responsible pet ownership. You can help save lives by reporting any animal abuse or neglect, utilizing our vet services for your pet, or by adopting one of our rescued animals and giving them the loving home they deserve. Help us to help them!
OUR MISSION At Animal Charity of Ohio, we have an important mission to expand humane investigations of abused, neglected, and abandoned companion animals. As the only Humane Society in Mahoning County, Animal Charity of Ohio has a distinct and essential mission in not only fighting for animals affected by abuse and neglect, but also providing pet owners high quality, affordable medical care. Animal companionship has been proven to lead to better mental health in owners, decreasing loneliness, anxiety and depression. Animal Charity of Ohio believes that pet ownership should be accessible for all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic status. Our affordable prices help support our humane program to fight animal cruelty and to educate the public on responsible pet ownership. Furthermore by providing access to affordable ownership, we aim to lessen the number of neglect cases we need to respond to.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Is Animal Charity Of Ohio a government agency? No, We are a 501C3 Non profit agency that is not funded or controlled by any government agency or national organization. In 2024, however, we were granted one time funding from the State of Ohio through the One Time Strategic Community Investment Fund to assist with necessary renovations to our facility.
How is Animal Charity of Ohio funded? Our primary source of funding is through donations made by people who recognize the importance of the services we provide. Contributions from individuals, corporate support, and bequests help keep our doors open every day. Our non profit vet clinic does provide some financial support however we try to keep our prices as affordable as possible to help families afford to provide their animals with excellent medical care.
How will my donation be used? Tax-deductible contributions to our agency help us pay for vaccines, medical supplies, and caretakers to take care of the animals on a daily basis. Your donation enables us to assist nearly 700 animals a year, to find homes for animals, to prosecute animal offenders, to provide affordable vet services, and to educate our community on the proper care of animals.
Is Animal Charity a ‘No-Kill’ shelter? Animal Charity is an unlimited stay humane society that accepts animals-in-need, regardless of their health, temperament, age, or condition. Healthy animals and animals with illnesses and injuries who can be humanely treated will stay in our care for as long as it takes to find them a new home. We do not have prescribed time limits and we do not euthanize healthy, friendly animals, or animals who we can treat, to make space for new animals. However, animals suffering from illnesses or injuries that we can’t treat, some animals with infectious diseases, or animals who display aggressive behavior and are unsafe to rehome may be euthanized. We do not use the ‘no-kill’ terminology as we’ve found many people define it differently, to include never euthanizing any animal regardless of their suffering, health, or aggression.
Does Animal Charity work with local rescue groups? Yes. We have established relationships with local breed placement and rescue organizations and are always interested in expanding our cooperative efforts in this area. Because we have a strong adoption program and clients interested in specific breeds, we do not routinely transfer healthy, friendly, purebred, adoptable animals, but deeply value partnership with foster-based groups who can assist with caring for and placing special-needs pets.