We have seen the sad commercials. 

The ones with tear-inducing tunes that trigger that animal instinct in people to change the channel immediately. There’s good news and bad news. The bad news: there are plenty of animals in the world that need help. The good news: You don’t need to see their sad little faces to meet the organizations that take care of them. The Nebraska Humane Society is particularly good at spreading their message of animal welfare, with active (and often hilarious) social media channels that bring smiles and hope to the faces of animal lovers everywhere. 

They are not the only one in the area. These six other local animal rescue and rehab organizations will send animal lovers searching for a pen to fill out the adoption papers.

Hearts United for Animals
73418 638 Ave., Auburn, NE 68305
402.274.3679 
hua.org
Hearts United for Animals is a no-kill sanctuary and animal welfare center with a variety of programs that bring dogs and cats to safety—or to fur-ever homes. HUA has rescued over 10,000 dogs from puppy mills and provided over 13,000 low-cost spay and neuter services, according to their website. In addition to the standard shelter and adoption procedures, HUA also provides temporary housing for animals of families fleeing domestic violence and assists with vet expenses. Helping animals and the people who care for them, HUA works tirelessly to unleash love.

Heron Haven

11809 Old Maple Road, Omaha, NE 68164
402.493.4303   
heronhaven.org

Snuggled behind the buzzing intersection of 120th Street and West Maple Road, Heron Haven is a spring-fed wetland sanctuary for birds and wildlife within Omaha city limits. With community programs like a camera club and a wetland program, and spacious education center, Heron Haven invites the community to study native species of plants, birds, and aquatic animals under the mission of conservation and natural history. Folks can also flock to a small nature museum and reference library curated by the Friends of Heron Haven.

Nebraska Wildlife Rehab Inc.
16215 NE-50, Louisville, NE 68037
402.234.2473 
nebraskawildliferehab.org

While most people are used to domesticated pets like kittens and hamsters, the call of the wild echoes throughout Nebraska. Nebraska Wildlife Rehab works to rehabilitate native Nebraska wildlife and migratory birds for return to the wild, while preserving native habitats and executing educational efforts to inspire people to become leaders in environmental conservation, according to the NWRI website. With projects like Bats Over Omaha and the Prairie Dog Relocation Project, college internships and high school science academies, NWRI completes specialized projects with opportunity for public education.

Scatter Joy Acres
4966 Newport Ave., Omaha, NE
402.709.9401   
scatterjoyacres.org

Scatter Joy Acres provides a peaceful inner-city sanctuary for humans and animals with therapy programs specialized for developmentally disabled and autistic children, seniors, veterans, and at-risk youth. Owner Joy Bartling rescues and cares for over 100 animals, including alpacas, sheep, rabbits, dogs, goats, horses, cows, pigs, and a variety of fowl. In addition to animal-assisted therapy, SJA is also an ideal location for events, with ample area for fun and games, including hayrack rides and bonfires.

Take Flight Farms
1004 Farnam St., Suite 400
402.930.3037   
takeflightfarms.org

Therapy dogs and cats have seemingly become commonplace in apartments and airplanes, but Take Flight Farms works to help clients through equine-assisted psychotherapy. Specializing in ground activities involving horses, each of Take Flight Farms’ programs is facilitated by a team of licensed mental health professionals, certified equine specialists, and horses who have passed intensive training, allowing individuals, families, and groups suffering from mental health conditions to gallop towards a brighter future.

Town & Country Humane Society
14110 S. 84th St., Papillion, NE 68046
402.339.5355
townandcountryhumanesociety.org

This nonprofit, no-time-limit shelter run entirely by volunteers serves eastern Nebraska and beyond. The best part is that it is not far from the city limits, down 84th Street near Platteview Road. The shelter frequently houses dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and rabbits. In addition to rescuing and rehoming animals, this shelter also offers boarding and grooming services to the community, and money raised from those services help continue the organization’s mission.

This article first appeared in the September 2020 issue of Omaha Magazine. Click here to subscribe to the print edition.