Capital Campaign
For over fifty years, the Humane Society of Walden has been saving animal lives in Hudson Valley and beyond. We are calling upon YOU, our community of animal lovers, for help and financial support to rebuild our shelter.
We're Fundraising for Our Shelter.
Our 50+ year old aging facility is struggling to keep up with modern animal care standards, growing community needs, and new NYS Shelter Standards Law. To meet these challenges, we’re launching a Capital Campaign to fund critical improvements.
To comply with these new standards, HSW must undertake critical facility upgrades:
- General Facility Improvements – Upgrading indoor surfaces, drainage systems, air handling, noise control, lighting and ammonia level management to enhance the well-being of every animal in our care.
- Animal Housing Enhancements – Creating safer, more spacious, and comfortable living environments to align with modern sheltering practices.
Your support of our capital campaign will help us meet these new standards, ensuring that HSW remains a safe, welcoming place for every animal in need.
Our Vision for
the Future
All donations rasied through our capital campaign will fund our renovations, beginning Summer 2025. In anticipation of Chapter 1 of our remodel, we are raising $40K for our furance / HVAC upgrade.
Chapter 1:
As our facility ages, so does our 1980’s heating system, and we are now in urgent need of a new HVAC system to ensure our animals stay warm during the cold winter months and cool during the summer.
Chapter 2:
Our Meet & Greet / Enrichment Room is a vital space for both our dogs and potential adopters. This renovation will transform the area into a versatile, safe, and welcoming environment that supports training, enrichment, and adoption meetings.
Chapter 3:
Chapter 4:
Chapter 5:
Chapter 6:
Chapter 7:
Chapter 8:
Chapter 9:
Chapter 10:
Chapter 11:
We’ve broken our capital campaign into manageable chapters, each focused on a specific project or space. Once a chapter goal is met, any additional funds raised will roll into the next chapter, allowing momentum and donor generosity to directly support the next urgent need.
our history
1974
Our roots trace back to the 1950s, when Florence Thiele and local residents began rehoming stray animals through a network of foster homes. Determined to establish a dedicated shelter, Thiele led fundraising efforts, and with donated land and the help of Wallkill Correctional Facility inmates, the shelter was built.
1984 a crematory was added to provide pet owners with low-cost cremations for those whose pets have passed on.
In 2000 local teacher and animal lover Karen Morris founded the For the Animals Club at Valley Central High School For over 25 year their mission is simple yet powerful: to provide support to the Humane Society of Walden and its furry inhabitants. Throughout the school year, dedicated students channel their passion for animals into action. To date Morris still advises the club and organizes fundraisers, with the proceeds and goods and services benefiting HSW.
In 2008, we expanded with a new wing, featuring an open lobby and dedicated rooms for intake, isolation, kittens, medical exams, and long-term feline residents to roam freely.
We sought to expand our reach by partnering with PetSmart in Middletown and Monroe to run their respective feline adoption centers.
Facing deteriorating kennel structures in 2017, HSW launched a major renovation. The aging chain-link and concrete kennels posed safety and sanitation concerns, leading to their demolition and the construction of 23 new fiberglass and reinforced plastic kennels, thanks to volunteer support.
In 2019, we formalized our feline foster program. Previously, neonatal kittens requiring round-the-clock care were fostered by staff, board members, and a small pool of volunteers. That same year, HSW revamped its onsite dog park, improving functionality and safety. With donated materials and volunteer assistance, we expanded the park to include two separate areas for safer meet-and-greet sessions and a new atrium entry for added security.
Most recently, in 2024, we made the difficult decision to discontinue operations of our crematory, which had served the community for over 20 years. Rising repair costs made continued operation financially unfeasible, marking the end of an era for this service.
Through decades of change and growth, HSW remains committed to our mission—providing shelter, care, and second chances for animals in need.
Shelter overview
Mission
To further this mission we undertake activities including, but not limited to developing relationships with potential fosters, volunteers, donors, business partners, local and out-of-state shelters.
Town Contracts
These contracts help reduce the burden on municipal resources and helps uphold community safety and animal welfare standards.
Programming
Key outreach activities include educational tours for school-age children, scout groups, and 4-H clubs, as well as partnerships with day programs where clients and their support staff volunteer at the shelter. These visits enrich the clients’ daily activities while supporting shelter operations.
Additional programs include:
- Rescue Readers
- Sunday Funday dog walks
- Open House Coffee Chats
- Have-a-Heart trap rentals
- Canine Playgroups
- Community Kibble Food Pantry
- Feline Foster Program
- Seniors for Seniors
- Volunteer Program
- Little Sale Room at HSW
- PetSmart Adoption Centers
- Middletown, NY
- Monroe, NY
Chapter 1: Urgent Furnace & HVAC Upgrade
Our kennel area is home to 30 to 35 dogs at any given time, and maintaining a comfortable, safe environment for them is a top priority.
As our facility ages, so does our 1980's heating system, and we are now in urgent need of a new HVAC system to ensure our animals stay warm during the cold winter months and cool during the summer.
The project will be completed by Sean Murphy owner of Perfect Temperature in Wallkill, at a cost of $40,000. This upgrade is essential not only for the well-being of our animals but also to meet modern sheltering standards and provide a healthier, more comfortable space for the pets in our care.
Chapter 2: Meet & Greet / Training Room + Small Dog Room
Our Meet & Greet / Enrichment Room is a vital space for both our dogs and potential adopters. This renovation will transform the area into a versatile, safe, and welcoming environment that supports training, enrichment, and adoption meetings.
Planned Upgrades:
- New flooring, walls, and lighting for a clean, durable, and inviting space
- Baseboard heating upgrade to keep the space comfortable year-round
- Improved entryways and safety features for secure interactions
- New interior door to create a better flow between shelter spaces
Small Dog Room is a space that houses any canines that are 30 pounds or less.
- New flooring, walls, and lighting for a clean, durable, and inviting space
- 2 new doors to enter the space
