About LCHS The Leon County Humane Society

The Leon County Humane Society has several purposes:

To relieve animal suffering

To prevent animal cruelty

To eliminate overpopulation of animals

To promote humane education

To enhance the human/animal bond

Karen Ostendorp-Hardin, President
Lauchlin Waldoch, Secretary
Fred Tedio, Treasurer
Cindi Owen Briley
Susan Cabrera
Heather Peeples
Meg Shannon
Kevin Brumfield, DVM, Honorary Member

Sonya White, Executive Director
Melissa Abernathy, Program Director
Barbara Hatch, Office Manager
Lori Carlson, Volunteer Coordinator
Monica Turner, Office Coordinator
Amy Raddar, Animal Care Specialist
Rachel Williams, Animal Care Specialist
Celia Garthwait, Animal Care Specialist

Leon County Humane Society's history has, to date, consisted of three distinct periods.

1960-1971: Getting Established,
1972-1996: The Shelter Years,
1996 to date: The Redefining Years.

The first period was spent establishing the organization as a viable, effective animal advocacy organization and evaluating the local and state situation to determine the status and needs of the animals. During the second period, the City of Tallahassee contracted with the Leon County Humane Society to operate the animal shelter. The third period began when the City of Tallahassee opened the new Animal Service Center and opted to operate it under city government. At that point in time, the Leon County Humane Society redefined its directions and activities and continued as an effective animal advocacy organization.

When the LCHS was formed in 1960, the population of Tallahassee was nearly 50,000 (Leon County's at 75,000). A group of approximately 30 citizens met to form the LCHS. Minutes from a meeting of the group indicate that at that time in Tallahassee, there were two adequate pounds (large enough and clean), a cooperative understanding dogcatcher, no animals abused or destroyed unnecessarily, efforts made to find homes for homeless, and carbon monoxide gas used to destroy animals when necessary. The LCHS decided that their main purposes should be humane education for the public, prevention of cruelty to animals and the relief of their suffering. Membership dues were $3 per person, $2 per person for additional family members, and 50 cents for members under 18 years of age.

Laura Jepsen served as the organizing chairman (president). Laura Jepsen was a humanities professor at Florida State University. Her legacy to Tallahassee included her very beautiful and unique home and grounds now known as Litchgate on High Road. The organizing Board of Management included Secretary Mary Parmenter, Treasurer Margueritte Lungren and Board members Julian R. Alford, Mrs. Thomas V. Barrett, Mrs. John H. Phipps, Miss Daisy Parker, Miss Venila L Shores, Mrs. Udo M Fleischmann, and Dr. Robert E. Lee.

Once LCHS was established, the first official officers were President Col. Murphy, Vice-president Edgar Henderson, Secretary Daisy Parker, and Treasurer Dr. Robert E. Lee. The organization held meetings in the courtroom of City Hall. A bank account was established with Capital City National Bank with a deposit of $32.50. Today, LCHS maintains its commitment to companion animals in the Leon County/Big Bend area by continuing our mission to promote their welfare.

1960  ...........................................  Laura Jepsen, Organizing Chairman and President
1961 - 1962  ...............................  Col. Roland Murphy
1963 - 1967  ...............................  Mrs. Patricia Ward
1968  ...........................................   Mrs. Patricia Greenfield
1969  ...........................................  Mrs. Cheryl Richardson
1970 - 1971  ...............................  Col. R. C. Stewart-Sidney
1972 - 1973  ...............................  Dr. Edward Schroeder
1974  ...........................................  Carol Allen
1975  ...........................................  Shirley Meckley
1976  ...........................................  Wende LaHart
1977  ...........................................  Nancy Foose
1978  ...........................................  Carol Basile
1979 - 1981  ...............................  Harry Harper
1982  ...........................................  Audrey Bevan
1983 - 1986  ..............................  Jean Harper
1987  ...........................................  Bryna Gordon
1988 - 1989  ..............................  Jean Harper
1990 - 1991  ..............................  Ann Kemp
1992  ...........................................  Pam Bruns
1993 - 1994  ..............................  Hunter Barnett
1995  ...........................................  Janet Olin
1996  ...........................................  Nancy Valery
1997  ...........................................  Allison Harvey
1998  ...........................................  Joan Koch
1999  ...........................................  Nancy Bell
2000  ...........................................  Mark Lazarus
2001  ...........................................  Heidi King
2002  ...........................................  Warren Schoenfisch
2003  ...........................................  Sara Earl
2004  ...........................................  Tracey Van Hook
2005  ...........................................  Nancy Valery
2006 - June 2007  ....................  Tracey Van Hook
July 2007 - Dec. 2007  ............  Nick Waller
2008  ...........................................  Diana Orrick
2009 - 2010................................  Karen Ostendorp-Hardin

Download a copy of the LCHS Bylaws (a Word document). If you are interested in becoming an LCHS Board Member, please complete and submit our Intent to Run for Board form (a Word document).

     
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