Columbia Animal Shelter

Who We Are

A pet lover and community cornerstone, Judy McKonly long had the dream to provide shelter for the cats, dogs, and other companion animals of her hometown of Columbia. After her passing in 2017, her family set out to make her dream a reality – to provide a modern, welcoming animal shelter dedicated to caring for and rehoming pets across Columbia and the greater Lancaster County region.

With limited animal control resources in the rural town of Columbia, Judy and the McKonly family recognized the need for localized help. By providing a hometown solution and services, they made it easier for the citizens of Columbia and surrounding towns to access aid for pet care issues, from dealing with feral feline populations to helping find lost pets. The aim? Reduce the suffering and fatalities of companion animals through the community.

Opening in 2019 in the former Vigilant Fire Hall in Columbia, the 8,000-square-foot shelter now stands vigilant for the pets of Columbia and the western Lancaster county. With a staff trained by an experienced humane educator, the shelter seeks to provide answers to anyone who picks up the phone, or any Columbia-area resident who brings an animal into the shelter. A brigade of volunteers helps to provide a welcoming, helpful face to anyone who reaches out, giving their time and efforts to help out the animals of Columbia.

Columbia Animal Shelter provides the following services to the community:
•Feline spay and neuter services/Low Cost Wellness clinic
•Cat adoption and surrender services
•Low cost dental care provided
•A nexus for person-to-person cat rehoming
•Community education and events

Donations for the Columbia Animal Shelter will help to continue to decrease the cost of pet care services, encouraging more residents to utilize them. They will help to improve the shelter’s ability to collect, transport, and care for stray animals. Donations will allow for increased education opportunities for the members of the Columbia community, teaching them how to keep their pets healthy and prevent unwanted breeding. At the same time, it will help our team of staff and volunteers increase their knowledge to better serve the community of Columbia and surrounding areas.

So please help us make Columbia and greater Lancaster County a better place for the cats, dogs, and other companion animals that bring us cheer!