As a service to the community, Geauga Humane Society funds the Geauga County Humane Officer. The Geauga County Humane Officer is judicially appointed to enforce State animal cruelty laws.

The Humane Officer's role includes educating county residents regarding the humane treatment of domestic animals, investigating suspected animal cruelty cases, and to aid in the prosecution of suspected abusers.

Rescue Village provides sanctuary for animals removed from situations where cruelty charges have been filed.

A five-stall barn was built behind Rescue Village in late December of 2005 so that large domestic animals, who were rescued from situations of neglect or abuse, had an immediate place to recover while waiting for new adoptive families. So far in 2006, the barn has housed many chickens, a pot-bellied pig, a horse, three goats and a lamb.

The barn also has an office that is shared by the humane officer and a staff veterinarian to monitor the health of the animals rescued.

Barn Supplies

• 33 gallon size garbage bags
• Bagged pine shavings
• Flat sided hanging buckets for stalls
• Rubber feed bowls large and small
• Break-away halters
• Sheep and pony halters
• Hoof care products

If you would like to donate supplies to Rescue Village's rescue barn, please call Sarah Westman to make arrangements at 440-338-4819, ext. 14.

Barn Animal Lover? Want to Leave a Legacy?

Violence, It's All Related - Because mistreatment of animals is often linked to a breakdown in family life, the humane officer often works as an arm of the county welfare department, identifying cases of human neglect or abuse. Through a relationship with WomenSafe, Rescue Village provides temporary shelter for animals of women and children fleeing domestic violence.

To learn more about the connection between domestic violence and animal abuse, visit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals online at www.aspca.org