Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Swann Blackdeer.
Hi Crystal Swann, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Leavenworth County Humane Society (LCHS, Inc.) has been operating more or less continuously since 1885. I got involved in 2008 after retiring from the US Army. The folks re-starting LCHS, Inc. then asked me to join them and help take the organization to the next level. Since then, I’ve been a full time volunteer. In 2009, we began fostering pets, then in 2015, we rented a facility. In 2019, we bought our current location which had been a nursery for years. We provide pet animal sheltering for the cities of Basehor and Lansing under contract. In February of this year, we faced closure because of lack of resources. We reduced staff, several other no-kill organizations accepted some pet transfers, and we have been able to stabilize thanks to great community support. Our Board of Directors has placed some pretty strict guardrails on operations and our Fundraising Committee stays extremely busy! Me, personally – my degrees are in Counseling and Rehabilitation and Human Resource Development, with certificates in Humane Leadership and Animal Shelter Management. I have served on the Governor’s Pet Animal Advisory Board representing licensed Animal Shelters since 2021. My 20+ year career in the Army was in Military Intelligence, with service in the US and abroad. My husband, Dirk, and I share our home with 3 dogs, 2 cats and a revolving door of foster pets.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of our greatest challenges is defining “animal services” and “animal control” in Leavenworth County. There are some resolutions in place that focus on exotics and dangerous animals, but there is no clear description of what the Animal Control Authority is responsible to do for citizens of our county. Stray pets outside city limits are often ignored. We’ve proposed several ways to address this gap in service. The issue remains in the hands of the Sheriff’s Office, the County Commission and the County Counselor at present.
Money is always a challenge in non-profit world. Contract income and fees are a tiny part of what we need to operate. We continue to serve due only to the generosity of those who donate and participate in our fundraisers. Volunteers make a huge difference as well. Without our animal care volunteers, we’d have to double the staff, and we just can’t afford to do that.
We’ve been impressed with Leavenworth County Humane Society, Inc.c., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Leavenworth County has had a Humane Society near continuously since 1885. The first founders declared “the purpose of the organization shall be the prevention and punishment of cruelty to children and animals and the better enforcement of the laws relating thereto.”
We continue their work today.
The most recent founders registered the corporation in 2006; in 2007, LCHS, Inc. was approved as 501(c)(3), EIN 01-0865151, and in 2009, LCHS, Inc. was launched with renewed vision and vigor.
Leavenworth County Humane Society, Inc. is the ONLY organization working to build and operate a 21st century no-kill pet animal shelter to serve ALL Leavenworth County residents.
1. Our Vision is a Leavenworth County where all animals are treated humanely and every pet has a loving home. We are NOT a “rescue,” an animal control agency, a law enforcement agency, a public health agency, a chapter of any national organization, or a government entity. The only funds we receive from government are payment for shelter services provided.
2. Leavenworth Animal Control, a division of the Leavenworth Police Department, is the only true public animal shelter in Leavenworth County. They provide sheltering services to residents within Leavenworth city limits, with some external contracts.
3. There are several other not-for-profit animal service groups in Leavenworth County. We’re happy to work alongside and with anyone to serve the people and pets in our area. A rising tide lifts all boats. We celebrate success!
4. We are responsible and accountable to our community, our donors, and the pets in our care. We do all we can within available resources to help found pet animals, and pets in need of new homes. When we have more, we can do more.
5. We accept pet animals based on several factors. Current contracts are with the cities of Basehor and Lansing, Owner surrendered pets are accepted only when space is available. We’ve taken in old, young, hurt, sick, neonatal, and troubled pets and found them wonderful homes. We will authorize euthanasia of pets in our care ONLY when they are irremediably ill or injured and suffering, or if they present a clear danger to public safety.
6. The best way to reach us is email. [email protected] We do answer the phone at the office 913-250-0506 during open hours and return calls when people leave messages. We are active on Facebook, Instagram and sometimes even TikTok (@LvnCoHumane). Please follow us!
7. Foster homes are essential. While we have a small shelter, it is NOT sufficient to serve everyone who needs us,it is not a place for long term housing, and it is not suitable for every pet. Any caring Kansas adult or family with time and space in their life can foster a pet. For a play-cation, a sleepover, or longer!! Our shelter and foster operations are overseen by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health, Animal Facility Inspection Program. License #CB001XWJ.
8. Our adoption process provides confidence that we are placing pets in great homes. We like face to face adoptions so we can actually get to know potential adopters. Applications help us match pets to people and vice versa. Adoption fees vary based on age, size and breed of pets, and range from $75 to $250. Those fees allow us to keep helping.
9. We rely heavily on volunteers! Our Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and many animal caregivers are volunteers. If you have time, talent and energy, we’d love to put you to work. (We do have 5 full time and 5 part time staff, most engaged in direct animal care.)
10. LCHS, Inc. believes that pet animals should be kept safely at home. Owners who allow their animals to be a nuisance to others or create hazards on public roadways are not caring properly for their pets! (Ask us for better ideas!)
11. We believe that all Leavenworth County residents deserve basic animal services as a matter of public safety.
12. We believe that humans have a moral responsibility to treat all animals humanely, whether they are companion animals, farm animals, animals in entertainment, animals in laboratories, or wildlife. We have no agenda for interfering with responsible, moral, humane and legal uses of animals. We are opposed to any practice that causes any sentient being to suffer unnecessarily.
13. Those who abuse or neglect animals are very often neglectful, cruel or violent toward humans. We are committed to working with human service groups, law enforcement, prosecutors and others to help make everyone safe from abuse and neglect.
14. We are the ONLY animal group in Leavenworth County with an active role in advocating for improved city, county and state codes, ordinances, statutes and regulations relating to pet animals and for improved enforcement.
15. We are proud members of the business community, with membership in Leavenworth-Lansing Area and Basehor Chambers of Commerce, Tonganoxie Business Association, and the Leavenworth County Development Corporation.
16. Monetary donations may be designated to a specific project or applied to general operations. We gratefully accept donations in honor or memory of people or pets. We accept donations through PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, by credit or debit card (including recurring monthly donations), on the website, through our Facebook page, checks by mail, in person at events or at the shelter during open hours. In-kind donations are put to work, and if we receive things we won’t use quickly, we share those with other service organizations.
17. In September 2019, we purchased our current location. Work is ever ongoing to improve our space to provide an environment that is even more healthy, safe and pleasant for the pets in our care, for our volunteers and staff, and for the public.
18. We hold to a Code of Ethics for Volunteers and Fundraising. We subscribe to the Pledge for Humane Discourse in Animal Welfare. We are committed to transparency and accountability. Our financial statements are available to anyone who asks. We post our animal shelter data to Shelter Animals Count and to the Shelter Pet Data Alliance. We hold a PLATINUM rating on Guidestar/Candid.
19. Our shelter motto was inspired by this poem/performance by Steve Connell – Let’s Go Home – https://youtu.be/ooC5YcNgY_o
20. Our logo was created by Cindy DeGraw-Dressler, one of the 2006 founders. The dog’s name is Charlie, and the cat’s name is Sam. The dots between the letters in “SOCIETY” represent the six incorporated cities in our County.
Leavenworth County Humane Society, Inc. complies with all laws and regulations regarding non-discrimination and equal opportunity with respect to clients, officers, employees and volunteers.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a good student, loved learning. I was always attracted to animals. I loved being outdoors and being active, but I also loved reading.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.LCHSInc.org
- Instagram: @LvnCoHumane
- Facebook: @LvnCoHumane
- Twitter: @LvnCoHumane
- Youtube: @LvnCoHumane
