History The Kingston Humane Society was originally formed in 1884 but little is known about the Society's earlier years. After a period of inactivity from 1942-1949 the Society reformed and became incorporated. Almost immediately, the new Kingston Humane Society took steps to close down the city pound , which was reported to be an uninsulated lean-to, rat-infested building next to the city dump. Citizens were shocked to hear of the deplorable conditions of the city run pound and as a result the Humane Society quickly received strong public support. The Humane Society's first home was located in the kennels rented from Dr. Nuttall of the Kingston Veterinary Clinic. In 1956 it operated from a small concrete block building 15 x 23 feet on Division Street behind the City Board of Works. An agreement was made with the City to assume responsibility for all animals brought in by the dog control officers and in return the City paid approximately 75% of the Shelter's operating costs. But the major problem was the Shelter itself. It was the only Shelter in the entire county and had too few cages, with only two runways for exercising dogs, and no cat runways at all. In April 1961, Mayor Williams Mills turned the sod for a new Shelter on Division Street, just behind the parks department greenhouse. Some of the money for this building came from the newly formed Women's Auxiliary and the Annual Tag Day, but most of it came from an increased membership. But as the surplus pet problem worsened the building was once again found to be too small, and in 1979 the Shelter moved to larger facilities on Dalton Avenue. The new building included two clinics which were rented by St. Lawrence College, indoor runs, a food preparation room and separate isolation room. It was 3-4 times larger than the old building. In 1997 the Shelter moved to its present location, 1 Binnington Court. This is a new modern facility, which allows the Kingston Humane Society to better serve the community and the animals in their care.