The Geauga Humane Society (GHS) (now widely known as Rescue Village) you know today as a leading animal welfare agency in Northeast Ohio began with a vision of a more humane world and a devotion to saving animals from homelessness and harm. The work of the Society began in 1974 when GHS founder Arlene MacDonald and a small group of animal advocates embarked on a labor of love. Animals were first sheltered in private homes. In 1980, GHS moved into the tiny 800 square-foot leased space on Merritt Road in Chardon, Ohio. What our original shelter lacked in size was made up by the driving passion and enormous energy to better the lives of animals and to help educate the community to have respect for all living things.

In 2001, a new shelter opened.  It was a state-of-the-art center for animal education and humane education. In 2005, we built a 5 stall barn and fenced-in pasture to help us provide a safe haven for even more species of animals. The barn behind the shelter has been a temporary home for horses, chickens, pigs, ducks, even cows, and sheep. In 2014, the shelter was straining against the confines of its 10,500 square feet. The building was expanded into a facility of more than 19,000 square feet that allowed us the space needed to grow our services in the community and provide more comprehensive veterinary care to our animals.