Helping Strays of Monroe County
Our Mission
Helping Strays is committed to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming pets in need while partnering with our community to ensure every animal receives loving care. We believe in inspiring compassionate pet guardianship through dedicated advocacy and education.
Our History
Born from a 2002 meeting of concerned citizens who wanted to improve conditions for stray and surrendered pets, the Humane Society of Monroe County, IL, was established as a non-profit. In 2013, we began doing business as Helping Strays to distinguish ourselves as an independent organization that relies entirely on donations without any local, state, or federal government funding.
Our Care Model
Since opening our current facility in 2016, we have operated as a no-kill shelter with the capacity to house over 60 homeless pets. Our facility includes a surgery suite, a turf play yard, and dedicated meet and greet rooms to ensure our animals remain happy and healthy while waiting for their furever homes. We also rely on a robust network of foster homes to expand our ability to rescue and rehabilitate animals in need.
Your Adoption Journey
We are here to provide a first-class experience for you and your new companion. Our team of expert match-makers is dedicated to helping you find the perfect pet for your family and lifestyle through a simple, transparent, and affordable process. We believe everyone deserves the love of an animal, and we are committed to supporting you before, during, and after your adoption.
Join Our Mission
Whether you are looking to adopt, volunteer, foster, or donate, you are changing the life of an animal in need. We encourage you to visit our shelter in Columbia, Illinois, to meet our adoptable dogs and cats during our open hours. We look forward to helping you find your new best friend!
- Friendly and accommodating staff
- Clean and well-maintained facilities
- Post-surgical complications in young puppies
7/30 - World Wide Technology Raceway, Local Shelters Partner for Third Annual Animal Adoption Promotion - World Wide Technology Raceway
MADISON, Ill. (July 30, 2026) – World Wide Technology Raceway is teaming up with the Humane Society of Missouri and Helping Strays of Monroe County this August to help adoptable dogs find their forever homes. Throughout the month of August, the first 200 adopters at each shelter will receive four tickets to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto...
10/7 - Come say hi, your new best friend might be waiting. 🐾 Visit our website for all the details. We’ll keep showing up.
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10/6 - What a day! Our 15th Annual Helping Strays Golf Tournament was one for the books! ⛳️ 144 golfers joined us at Annbriar Golf Course for a sold-out day of great weather, great golf, and lots of support for the animals. Together, you helped us raise nearly $35,000 for Helping Strays! 💚💙 And there was an extra-special moment waiting for us at the end of the day… 🐾 Stay until the very end of the reel to see one of our adoptable dogs, Mort, find his forever home! 🥹 Thank you to every golfer, sponsor, volunteer, and donor who helped make this incredible day possible.
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10/3 - 📍 Recent events round-up! St. Louis edition. Did you miss us? Check out our website events page to see where we’ll be next, and find your new best friend! 🐾
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