About
Our Purpose
Life-Saving Data
FAQs
History
What are the shelter hours for adoptions?
Our shelter is open for adoptions from 12:00pm-7:00pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:00am-5:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12:00pm-5:00pm on Sundays and Tuesdays. We are closed on Thursdays.
Does the League for Animal Welfare provide public veterinary assistance?
COMING SOON!
The Sis & Dick Miller Wellness Clinic at the League for Animal Welfare will provide affordable veterinary services to the public. More information will be available soon!
How does the League for Animal Welfare manage animal intake?
As a managed intake shelter, the League can only accept pets as space allows. Many times, we fill vacancies by reaching out to other animal welfare organizations. When pets are at risk of being euthanized at open admission shelters due to lack of space, we can give them a second chance of finding a home. Our goal is to keep our shelter full so that we can help as many animals as possible.
Does the League for Animal Welfare accept drop offs?
We can accept owner surrenders and stray animals based on space availability and animal temperament. While we try to respond timely to requests on social media, your best strategy is to call our shelter during business hours with intake inquiries.
What is the adoption process like?
When you visit our shelter, you will complete a survey that helps our adoption counselors find the right pet for you/your family. We want you to find a pet that has the best chance for success in your household so we take into consideration such things as your schedule, children, other pets, prior pet history and experience, activity level, outdoor space (for dogs), and the financial responsibilities of caring for a pet. While we do allow same-day adoptions, please keep in mind that it may take more than one visit to find the right pet. After meeting an animal, you have the option to place a hold until the next business day. This is helpful if you need to ready your home, do a dog introduction, introduce other family members or just have time to decide if the animal is the right fit.
Does the League for Animal Welfare do animal holds?
A one business day hold can be placed on an animal that you have met. We do not place holds on animals over the phone prior to meeting the cat or dog.
Does the League for Animal Welfare have a trial period?
By signing our adoption agreement, you are agreeing to give your new pet a fair trial period. Some cats and dogs take longer to feel comfortable in your home, and we ask that you give them your patience.
If we determine the pet is not a good match for your home, we will ask you to bring the pet back to our shelter. Keep in mind that it may take a few days for space to become available. We ask that you wait for us to make room so we can give these pets another chance to find an appropriate home. Please note that adoption fees are non-refundable. Based on the circumstances surrounding the return of a pet, the League will determine whether another animal may be adopted.
What forms of payment are accepted?
We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express for adoption fees.
How do I volunteer at the League for Animal Welfare?
If you would like to lend your time and talent, you will need to complete an orientation class (separate cat and dog classes are offered monthly). Please call the shelter during normal business hours to sign up for a class. Once you have completed orientation, you may volunteer at your convenience. Please note, however, that the shelter is closed to the public and to volunteers on Thursdays. We do not require a minimum commitment – our volunteer program is very flexible.
Can I bring my children to volunteer with me?
Yes, you can! Volunteering with animals is beneficial to both our animals and your children. After a parent or legal guardian attends an orientation session, you are welcome to bring children with you to volunteer. Please note that children must be supervised at all times.
Can students earn volunteer service hours with the League?
Students may volunteer at the League to earn service hours by participating in socialization and enrichment activities with the animals.
What is the League for Animal Welfare's federal identification #?
The League’s federal identification is 31-0818511.
How do I make a gift in someone's honor?
Making a gift in someone’s honor or memory is a wonderful way to pay tribute to a human, canine or feline loved one. We will notify anyone you identify (honoree, family of loved one, pet owner) of your thoughtful gift. We do not acknowledge your gift amount.
About Us
Founded in 1949, League for Animal Welfare is a privately funded, non-profit organization providing much-needed care for unwanted, lost and neglected cats and dogs in our community. As the oldest and one of the largest no-kill shelters in the area, the League serves the Greater Cincinnati area through initiatives to reduce the number of homeless animals and to help people better care for their pets. With the support of our dedicated staff, volunteers, foster families and friends, the League provides medical and behavioral care for more than 1,500 cats and dogs we find loving homes for each year. In addition to our sheltering services, the League also addresses the root causes of companion animal homelessness through assistance to local pet owners, including our pet food pantry; spay/neuter voucher program; vaccine clinics; and veterinary assistance program.
Leadership
Financial Information
Mission
To reduce the number of homeless cats and dogs in Greater Cincinnati by providing a compassionate, no-kill animal shelter and programs that promote responsible pet care.
Publications
Vision
We will be recognized as Greater Cincinnati’s leading no-kill shelter and animal welfare champion.
The League is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the membership for a three year term. There are at least five and no more than fifteen Directors. The terms are staggered with roughly one-third of the positions coming up each year.
In addition, the Board may fill vacant slots by appointment. Individuals appointed by the Board serve until their term is up and then must be elected at the Annual Meeting in January to remain on the Board.
The Board elects Officers annually from among the Directors. Officers and Board Members are volunteers and are not compensated for their service.
Core Values
Compassion
We believe that all cats and dogs are entitled to be free from suffering, abuse, and exploitation.
Integrity
We consistently act honestly, fairly, and in the best interests of the animals in our care.
Education
We proactively promote and facilitate responsible pet parenting, and are committed to raising public awareness about the humane treatment of all animals.
Excellence
We strive to always provide exceptional care for our animals and an exemplary shelter experience.
Stewardship
We use our resources wisely and maintain the public trust.
2025 Board of Directors
| Jake Stanton, President |
| Diann Cox, Vice President |
| Debbie Bates, Treasurer |
| Carl Fite, Secretary |
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| Sheri Boone |
| Barbara Casciani |
| Ross Jacobs |
| Andrew Jones |
The League is a proud Best Friends Network Partner!
Management Team
| Devon Smith | Executive Director | |
| Rhonda Kidd | Operations Manager |
League Links 2.0
The League publishes a quarterly, electronic newsletter to share adoption stories and helpful pet care tips as well as recognize our generous donors and dedicated volunteers.
Subscribe to receive the newsletter here.
View current and past issues
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1942
A small group of people who were concerned with the lack of care from the community for stray and unwanted pets began organizing.
1949
The League for Animal Welfare is officially recognized by the state of Ohio as a non-profit charitable organization. Thirty-four charter members elect Gertrude Coles as the first president of the League.
1967
The League purchases a former boarding kennel on Heitman Lane near Batavia.
1971
Two small cat barns are installed at the League, so cats no longer have to share kennels with dogs. In subsequent years, additional larger cat barns were added.
1980
League member Adele Caramanian persuades the League to have all of its cats and dogs spayed or neutered before adoption. The spay/neuter program was then expanded to include assistance for low-income members of the public.
1985
Dr. Pat Thomas, a psychology professor at the University of Cincinnati and League Board President initiates a pet therapy program.
1988
Elizabeth Lemlich forms the League’s Education Committee and visits up to 70 school classrooms annually, presenting programs on pets and wildlife, and organizing after-school animal clubs.
1990
The League begins to look for a new location with a more modern facility.
1999
The League moves its dogs, cats, and staff into a brand new shelter located on nine acres of land at 4193 Taylor Road in Batavia Township. Our new shelter was built through the generosity of our donors.
2004
The League purchases 11 additional acres of wooded land to ensure protection from any possible residential development.
2007
The League's spay/neuter voucher program expands to include everyone in the community, regardless of income.
2008
A significant gift from The Rettig Foundation Trust allows the League to purchase a customized Mobile Adoption Van, allowing the League to take adoptable animals into the community.
2010
The spay/neuter voucher assistance program assists over 1,200 cats and dogs in a single year – the most ever in League history.
2016
The League brings veterinary care, including spay and neuter, on-site for adoptable animals through a mobile veterinary clinic.
2019
Construction is complete on the new Sis & Dick Miller Wellness Clinic, enhancing the care of animals in the League's shelter and providing veterinary care for area shelters and rescues and, ultimately, the community at large.
2021
A record number, 1,212 cats and dogs are adopted from the League.
The League for Animal Welfare is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, charitable organization.
Our fiscal year is January 1 through December 31.
View our consolidated financial information here
- 2023 IRS Form 990
- 2023 Audited Financial Statement
- 2022 IRS Form 990
- 2022 Audited Financial Statement
- 2021 IRS Form 990
- 2021 Audited Financial Statement
- 2020 IRS Form 990
- 2020 Audited Financial Statement
- 2019 IRS Form 990
- 2019 Audited Financial Statement
- 2018 IRS Form 990
- 2018 Audited Financial Statement
- 2017 IRS Form 990
- 2017 Audited Financial Statement
- 2016 IRS Form 990
- 2016 Audited Financial Statement
To view the League for Animal Welfare’s Donor Privacy Policy, please click here.
PDF format requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. If it is not installed on your computer, you can download it.