Transforming the lives of animals and people through partnerships, protection, and hope.

Founded in 1887, the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society (MHHS) is the oldest and largest animal protection organization in New York’s Capital Region, serving Albany, Rensselaer, and surrounding counties. For more than 135 years, MHHS has been a trusted safeguard for animals—providing shelter and compassionate care for stray, abused, and neglected animals, while also standing on the front lines to protect them from harm.

As the region’s leading authority in animal welfare, MHHS operates a dedicated Humane Law Enforcement division that investigates reports of animal cruelty and neglect, rescues animals in crisis, and works closely with law enforcement and the courts to ensure accountability and justice.

Beyond emergency response and sheltering, MHHS delivers a comprehensive and ever-growing network of services that support animals and the people who love them. These include low-cost spay and neuter and wellness care, vaccination and microchip clinics, stray housing for municipalities, dog training and behavior support, a pet food pantry, and humane education programs for all ages.

Together, these life-saving efforts contributed to a 92.7% live release rate in 2025—reflecting MHHS’s unwavering commitment to prevention, protection, and positive outcomes for animals throughout our community.

Adoptions, Fostering Program, Spay/Neuter Services, Training/Behavior, Public Education, Volunteer Program

Before You Arrive:
-Prepare your home for a new pet ahead of time - most dogs can go home the same day.
-If you are meeting a dog and have a dog at home already, make sure it is up-to-date on all core vaccines.
-When you're ready for your meet, bring all human household members and if you are meeting a dog, any resident dogs.
-If you're meeting a dog, be sure to bring a friend or family member who can stay outside with the resident dog.
-Prepare yourself for a longer wait if you come the hour before closing or on a Saturday afternoon.

When You Arrive
-Fill out an Adopter Profile at the front desk and present a valid photo ID.
-If you are meeting a dog, have a friend or family member stay outside with any resident dogs.
-An adoption counselor will share all we know about the animal before introducing you.
-All humans will need to meet the animal at the shelter. If you have a resident dog, we also require a canine meet-and-greet.
If it is a good fit, in most cases the animal can go home the same day.
-Animals with behavioral or medical needs may require an additional meeting.
-If it is not a good fit, the adoption counselor will explain what they are seeing and will suggest a more suitable companion, if appropriate.

Most of our animals are available through walk-in meets. We also have some that require appointments, and those that live in foster homes.