Nebraska Humane Society

What Nebraska Humane Society does

The Nebraska Humane Society (NHS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, open-entry animal welfare organization headquartered at 8929 Fort Street in Omaha, Nebraska, founded in 1875 and the fifth oldest humane society in the United States. It serves the Omaha metro (Douglas County and Sarpy County) as the region's only open-intake shelter, handling 15,000+ animals annually including dogs, cats, small critters, horses, and wildlife, and supporting 8,000+ adoptions per year through approximately 150 paid staff and a large volunteer corps. Since 1875 NHS has been the exclusive contractor to the City of Omaha and the municipalities of Sarpy County (Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Gretna, Springfield, Ralston) for animal control, operating street patrol from 8 a.m. to midnight with on-call overnight response, dangerous-animal investigation, and rabies quarantine enforcement.

NHS monetizes and funds operations through a diversified mix of donation and grant revenue (monthly Champions of Hope giving, planned gifts via FreeWill, crypto, DAFs, QCDs, vehicle and real estate donations), adoption fees, government contracting, jurisdiction-specific pet licensing administration across nine municipalities ($5–$54.50), professional fee-for-service lines (dog training at $58.85–$149.80 per lesson, Rainbow Bridge private cremation), and low-cost spay/neuter. Go-to-market is hybrid: direct-to-consumer via the Fort Street campus and website; event-driven for municipal animal control and licensing; and community-led through Project Pet Safe (domestic-violence co-sheltering), Animeals (seniors), Pet Loss Support Group, food pantry redistribution, community cat TNR, Star Equine Rehabilitation, and youth humane education.

The operational stack relies on third-party SaaS rather than proprietary technology: Petco Love Lost for photo-based pet reunification, Volgistics for volunteer management, FreeWill/CryptoForCharity/Car Donation Wizard for fundraising, and Petfinder/Adopt a Pet/Home to Home for adoption listings. A strategic capital initiative underway is the $8 million transformation of NHS's Spay & Neuter Center into a full-service Pet Wellness Center (adding 4,310 SF, opening mid-2027, capacity projected 9,000–11,000 animals annually), partially funded by a Tito's Handmade Vodka match and corporate "Companies That Care" sponsors. NHS holds Charity Navigator's Four Star designation and GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency and is governed independently, receiving no funding from national humane society affiliates.

Name

Nebraska Humane Society

Legal name

Nebraska Humane Society

Website

https://nehumanesociety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1875

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Nebraska Humane Society is an independent 501(c)(3) open-entry animal shelter in Omaha, Nebraska, founded in 1875. It serves the Omaha metro and Sarpy County with adoption, contracted animal control, pet licensing, dog training, cremation, community programs, and a 2027 Pet Wellness Center expansion.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291), Veterinary Services (541940)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Animal Cruelty Prevention, Investigation & Humane Law Enforcement (BPAGAIAG), Low-Cost & Community Veterinary Clinics (HLAMAAAE)

Keywords

• Animal shelter services
• Pet adoption programs
• Municipal animal control
• Pet licensing services
• Low-cost veterinary care

Headquarters

HQ city

Omaha

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: NHS is an independent, local nonprofit not funded by national humane societies. Receives donations through online portals, monthly giving (Champions of Hope), legacy giving, cryptocurrency, stocks, bonds, donor-advised funds, qualified charitable distributions, charitable gift annuities, real estate, vehicle donations, and community events.
2. Adoption Fees: Fees for pets are listed in each animal's bio on the website. Dogs receive vaccinations, flea/tick prevention, spay/neuter, and microchip. Cats receive FVRCP vaccinations, rabies for cats 6 months and older. Does not include licensing fee.
3. Pet Licensing: Licensing fees vary by jurisdiction (city/municipality). Fees are city fees plus $5 processing fee. Deadlines and rates differ by city (Omaha: $54.50 intact/$29.50 altered for dogs and cats; Bellevue: $26.25 intact/$13.25 altered).
4. Private Pet Cremation (Rainbow Bridge): Private cremation services for pets. Each pet is individually cremated and ashes hand-collected. Provides urns, pouches, and mahogany boxes. Proceeds stay at the shelter to support homeless animals.
5. Dog Training Classes: Group classes (basic to advanced) and private/in-home training sessions. Pricing: 1/2 Hour In-Shelter Lesson = $58.85; 1 Hour In-Shelter Lesson = $90.95; 1 Hour In-Home Lesson = $149.80.
6. Spay & Neuter Center: Low-cost spay and neuter services. Previously served approximately 6,450 animals annually. Transforming into Pet Wellness Center (mid-2027) to offer expanded services including preventative care, vaccinations, dental, and basic care.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Nebraska Humane Society operates an open-entry animal shelter providing pet adoption, animal control, pet licensing administration for multiple metro jurisdictions, dog training, private pet cremation, and community assistance programs. The organization also runs contracted animal control services for the City of Omaha and Sarpy County municipalities, and is expanding into low-cost veterinary care through its forthcoming Pet Wellness Center.

Product overview

Nebraska Humane Society operates as an open-entry animal shelter providing comprehensive animal welfare services for the Omaha metro area. The core offering centers on animal adoption services across multiple animal categories (dogs, cats, critters, horses). Supporting this are fee-for-service programs including dog training classes (group and private), pet licensing administration for nine metro jurisdictions, animal control services, and community assistance programs (food pantries, pet loss support, domestic violence pet safe housing). A major upcoming initiative is the Pet Wellness Center (2027) transforming their spay/neuter center into comprehensive low-cost veterinary care. Additional services include lost and found reunification, private pet cremation (Rainbow Bridge), pet surrender resources, community cat programs, youth education, volunteer management, foster care, and special events/fundraising. The organization is not technology-driven but utilizes third-party platforms for volunteer management (Volgistics), lost pet matching (Petco Love Lost), donation processing (FreeWill), and adoption listings (Petfinder).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rainbow Bridge Private Pet Cremation: A private cremation service for pets offered by the Nebraska Humane Society since 2003. Each pet is individually cremated and ashes are hand-gathered.
• Star Equine Rehabilitation Program

Products and services

• Adoption Services Open-entry shelter accepting dogs, cats, small critters, horses, and barnyard animals for adoption. All adopted animals receive vaccinations, flea/tick prevention, spay/neuter, and microchipping.
• Dog Training Classes

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000+ animals including wildlife served annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PurinacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPurina is listed as a partner supporting NHS operations. Their logo appears on the adoption page indicating their sponsorship and support of the shelter's mission.
• Yappy PackcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerYappy Pack proctors NHS dog playgroups, organizing Thursday (April-October) and Saturday sessions. They facilitate socialization activities for dogs and owners at the NHS meadow.
• Gentle DoctorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner company supporting NHS mission through corporate partnership program.
• Baxter (Baxter Subaru Omaha)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting NHS through the Companies That Care program.
• HDRminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting NHS through the Companies That Care program.
• WheatfieldsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner (catering company) supporting NHS through the Companies That Care program.
• Centris Federal Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting NHS through the Companies That Care program.
• Bridges TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting NHS through the Companies That Care program.
• KiewitminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting NHS through the Companies That Care program.
• RenzeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting NHS through the Companies That Care program.
• PetfindercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPetfinder is a partner platform where NHS lists adoptable pets for wider visibility and reach to potential adopters nationwide.
• Petco LovecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting lost pet reunification through Petco Love Lost platform, which NHS utilizes to help reconnect lost pets with owners using photo recognition technology.
• CandidminorOthersNonprofit transparency platform where NHS maintains a profile. Recipient of Candid's transparency recognition.
• Charity NavigatorcoreOthersCharity Navigator has awarded NHS its Four Star designation, demonstrating commitment to accountability and transparency.
• Adopt a PetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner platform for listing adoptable pets, expanding NHS reach to potential adopters.
• Athletes For AnimalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization connecting athletes with animal welfare causes.
• Nonprofit Association of the MidlandsminorOthersRegional nonprofit membership organization that NHS belongs to for networking and resources.
• Pet Loss Professionals AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional alliance that NHS's Rainbow Bridge cremation service is a member of, setting standards for pet loss professionals.
• Petco Love LostcoreTechnology or IntegrationFree tool NHS utilizes to help reconnect lost pets with owners. Has photo recognizing technology that alerts owners if a matching photo is uploaded by a shelter or community member.
• Lost Pets of Omaha Area (Facebook)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFacebook group that posts both lost pets and found pets. NHS refers community members to this resource for reunification efforts.
• Nebraska Wildlife Rehab Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS has a contractual agreement with NWRI. All rehabilitable wildlife brought to NHS is transferred to NWRI for care, treatment, and re-release into the wild.
• Raptor RecoveryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll hawks, owls, falcons, eagles and other raptors that come into NHS are turned over to Raptor Recovery for rehabilitation and release.
• City of OmahacoreOthersNHS has been contracted by the City of Omaha since 1875 to provide animal control services. Exclusive municipal contract.
• Sarpy County MunicipalitiescoreOthersNHS is contracted by municipalities of Sarpy County including Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Gretna, Springfield, Ralston to provide animal control services.
• Food Pantry Partners (First Presbyterian Church, St. Vincent de Paul, Intercultural Senior Center, Hope West, Black Men United, Bellevue Food Pantry, Benson Baptist)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNHS redistributes donated pet food through these human food pantries across the metro, allowing pet owners to access food at locations in their own neighborhoods.
• Women Center for Advancement (WCA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDomestic violence advocacy organization that NHS partners with for Project Pet Safe, providing temporary housing for pets of domestic abuse victims.
• Catholic CharitiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDomestic violence advocacy organization that NHS refers victims to for additional support services through Project Pet Safe.
• RaygunminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRaygun in Old Market Omaha hosts NHS adoption events where adoptable dogs are available for meet-and-greets.
• Union OmahaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUnion Omaha soccer team hosts NHS at home matches where adopters can meet adoptable dogs.
• Omaha Storm ChasersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOmaha Storm Chasers baseball team hosts NHS at games with adoption opportunities and 'Bark in the Park' events.
• Bricks R UsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNHS uses Bricks R Us for personalized engraved bricks installed on the front walkway of the shelter as tributes.
• Tagg (Together a Greater Good)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerReceipt scanning app where users select NHS as their charity of choice and a percentage of sales comes back to the shelter.
• Car Donation WizardminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNHS partners with Car Donation Wizard for assistance with vehicle donations, simplifying the process for donors.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wisconsin Humane Society: Regional open-admission animal welfare organization serving the Milwaukee and Ozaukee areas with adoption, animal control contracts, and spay/neuter services. Directly comparable to NHS in operating model, regional scope, and mix of sheltering plus contracted municipal services.
• Dumb Friends League (Denver): Large regional open-admission animal shelter serving the Denver metro area with adoption, animal control contracts, low-cost veterinary services, and community programs. Highly comparable to NHS in operating model — open-intake shelter, contracted municipal animal services, on-site training, and growing veterinary care offerings.

Others

• Maddie's Fund: Major family-founded animal welfare foundation funding no-kill sheltering, community programs, and veterinary initiatives nationally. Comparable as a peer animal welfare funder/grantor in the same ecosystem as NHS, though operates as a grantmaking foundation rather than direct shelter.
• Petco Love (formerly Petco Foundation): National animal welfare nonprofit funded by Petco that provides grants and partnerships to shelters. Comparable to NHS as a 501(c)(3) animal welfare nonprofit, and is actually a current NHS partner through Petco Love Lost; functions as an ecosystem funder rather than a direct shelter operator.

Emerging players

• Austin Pets Alive!: Large no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization in Austin, Texas with innovative programs for at-risk animals. Comparable to NHS in its focus on adoption outcomes and innovative community programs, though with a different municipal relationship model.

Regional players

• Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL): Regional animal welfare organization serving the Des Moines metro with adoption, animal control, and community programs. Comparable as a Midwest peer shelter operating in a comparable geographic and demographic market.
• Kansas Humane Society: Regional open-admission animal shelter serving Wichita and surrounding communities with adoption, low-cost spay/neuter, and community programs. Comparable as a Midwestern regional peer shelter with similar open-intake operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill animal welfare organization operating the largest sanctuary in the US and a network of regional programs. Comparable as a peer nonprofit animal welfare organization focused on adoption, spay/neuter, and community programs, but operates nationally rather than in a single metro.
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): Largest animal protection organization in the US focused on advocacy, policy, and rescue. Comparable as a peer nonprofit in the animal welfare space, though HSUS is primarily an advocacy and policy organization rather than a direct shelter operator.
• ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): One of the oldest and largest animal welfare organizations in the US, providing sheltering, advocacy, and cruelty prevention nationally. Comparable to NHS as a 501(c)(3) animal welfare nonprofit, though ASPCA operates at a much broader national scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NEHumaneSociety
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@NeHumaneSociety
• Facebookfacebook.com/NebraskaHumaneSociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nebraska-humane-society
• Instagraminstagram.com/nehumanesociety

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nebraska Humane Society