Humane society president finds purpose in animal rescue

It’s not often someone speaks so highly of a job they feel they were meant to do, especially when they do not get paid. Cait Hullihen is one of those people.

Hullihen has settled into her role as president of the Harrison County Humane Society and foster-adoption coordinator at 106 S. Eastport Road in Scio, across from Riesbeck’s.

Hullihen took over in August 2024 and, for more than a year, managed the job from her home in Scio. A stay-at-home wife with no children, she said she has more time to give than many married people and has devoted herself to the work. It began when she offered to bottle-feed a kitten, which eventually grew into a much larger responsibility. She said the work has given her a sense of purpose and meaning.

“I love it, I thrive on it,” Hullihen said.

That responsibility grew quickly. In mid-February, she took in 26 dogs, a process that required eight volunteers and more than 10 hours of work, including vaccinations and spaying or neutering.

Hullihen also discussed confusion some people have about the roles of the dog warden and the humane society. She said the dog warden handles tags and stray dogs, while she responds to complaints involving abuse or abandoned pets. She noted the Harrison County Dog Pound deals only with dogs.

Donations have come in from Tractor Supply in Cadiz and businesses in New Philadelphia, including Petco and We Love Pets. Hullihen praised community members for donating cages, leashes, pet clothing and stuffed animals. She also has a wall of donated items for sale and is looking for a way to reduce the number of stuffed animals.

“Donors are the only reason we’re still around,” Hullihen said.

Hullihen said she especially appreciated Jodi Henry, who donated items through the American Animal Alliance and gave her time to help. Henry also provided a water heater and new furnace and arranged help from a Dover man who repaired pipes that burst when the water was first turned on.

“I’m not one to ask for help but it’s been humbling,” Hullihen said. “We’re desperate for donations to keep us running. We don’t take any money for ourselves.”

She said money raised goes toward electric, water and gas bills, as well as the mortgage on the building, which is managed by Tanis Thompson of New Philadelphia.

“The growth and the reach we get is incredible,” she said of the support from community members.

Hullihen said she has items that would make good gift baskets for raffles and plans to participate in Uptown Cadiz this summer. The society also is looking forward to the Community Yard Sale June 5-6 and Christmas in July, hosted by Highland Manor on N. Main Street, as it did last year.

Hullihen said the society is looking for an agent. Although the position pays $800 per month, she said several people are interested. She described it as a “hard sale” because of the difficult conditions some animals come from and the low pay, but said help continues to come when needed.

“The sheriff’s department has been wonderful,” she said of Sheriff Mark Touville.

Hullihen said the application process for the agent position includes a five-day Zoom class April 13-17 and a one-time, in-person eight-hour training session April 29 or 30. Applications will be accepted through March 20, with interviews scheduled for March 21-22.

Adoption fees are $250 for dogs and $75 for cats. That includes spaying or neutering, rabies shots and vaccines, with no official adoption completed until all three steps are finished.

The number for the TNR program, which stands for Trap, Neuter and Return and helps feral cats, is 740-582-0411.