OUR MISSION

To serve our community by promoting animal welfare and strengthening the animal-human bond.
To improve the lives of pets through education and protection.
To shelter stray, abandoned, and surrendered pets and find them loving homes.

OUR HISTORY

1963

Gastineau Humane Society (GHS) Articles of Incorporation filed with the State of Alaska, Department of Commerce (12/26/1963). The original shelter was a simple shed located under the bridge over Gastineau Channel.

Original shelter under the Juneau Douglas bridge.

---

1976

Internal Revenue Service recognizes Gastineau Humane Society as an exempt from Federal Income tax (Section 501(c)(3)

---

1984

Current facility built with money raised by volunteers on land donated by generous donors.

---

1984

Gastineau Humane Society began providing Animal Control and Protection Services for the City & Borough of Juneau.

---

​2019

After more than 50 years of proudly serving Juneau’s pet population through rescue, adoption, grooming, boarding, and animal control, Gastineau Humane Society is pleased to introduce a new era for the organization. As of January 1, 2019, GHS will be known as Juneau Animal Rescue. Juneau Animal Rescue began as a small shed under the bridge over Gastineau Channel. While we will always be proud of those humble beginnings, our new name and soon-to-be released logo more accurately convey the community spirit of the organization that has served Juneau’s animal population since 1963. By rebranding, we hope to strengthen awareness of our organization and expand our public outreach. We are continually grateful for the generous support of the community and look forward to the next 50 plus years of service as Juneau Animal Rescue.

Original GHS Logo

Juneau artist Carolyn Hobbs Peterson’s artwork of her two dogs Tyonec & Kiana was spotted by Gastineau Humane Society’s first executive director Howard Gile in a store in the early 1980’s.  Both dogs were named after Alaskan Native villages, with Ty’s spelling varying slightly from the actual place.  He asked Carolyn if he could use the drawing as the GHS logo.  

Carolyn's Original Artwork

Carolyn, a devoted animal lover and regular volunteer at the shelter until her death in 1997, of course, said yes.  She pulled all the cards out of the stores, and gave them to the Gastineau Humane Society, along with the right to use the drawing as its logo. The logo was a great icon for the Gastineau Humane Society and remained in use until 2019, when the organization was renamed. We will be forever thankful for the contribution that Carolyn’s artwork lent to our organization for over 30 years.

Photo by: Yvonne Mozee