CAHS is a non-profit 501c3 organization with a mission to find loving homes for the animals seized by the Humane Society or awarded by the courts due to Cruelty, Abuse, or Neglect.
Our humane society operates entirely through the generosity of our community. We rely on donations and the dedication of our volunteers to continue our mission. Unlike many organizations, we do not receive any tax dollars or government funding, making your support essential to everything we do.
If you cannot find an answer to your question, please reach us at cahs1@frontier.com.
We are not open to the public. We are available by appointment only. Once you have completed an adoption application online, we will contact you to set up a meet and greet appointment.
If you suspect that someone is mistreating or neglecting their pets, please complete the Animal Cruelty Complaint Form. Once the form is submitted, it will be sent to our email, and we will respond.
If this is an ANIMAL EMERGENCY, please call the Pickaway County Sheriff's Office at (740) 474-2176 or the Circleville Police Department at (740) 477-8231. To report a stray dog, contact the Pickaway County Dog Shelter at (740) 474-3741.
The Circle Area Humane Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Companion animals enter our care through owner surrender or humane cases. The Circle Area Humane Society also oversees the Humane Agents who serve Pickaway County. The Humane Agents investigate animal cruelty cases in Pickaway County and the Humane Society provides for any animals confiscated by or surrendered to the Humane Agents. All adoptions include, and require, spay/neuter. We cannot accept strays.
The Pickaway County Dog Shelter is the county animal control facility which is owned and operated by the county as prescribed by Chapter 955 of the Ohio Revised Code. It is a full-service shelter which holds stray dogs for a required period of time before they are placed up for adoption. They manage all stray dogs in Pickaway County and enforce licensing and vicious animal laws. The Pickaway County Shelter is located at 21253 Ringgold Southern Rd, Circleville, OH 43113.
Neither the Pickaway County Dog Shelter or Circle Area Humane Society are able to manage or house wildlife. For problems with wildlife, please contact the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, District 1 at (614) 644-3929 or Ohio Wildlife Center at 614-793-9453 or http://www.ohiowildlifecenter.org
Please contact the Pickaway County Dog Shelter (dog warden) at (740) 474-3741. Circle Area Humane Society cannot accept strays, and by law, all stray animals must go to the county shelter for at least three days to allow time for their owner to find them.
Check with the Pickaway County Dog Shelter, located at 21253 Ringgold Southern Rd, Circleville, OH 43113. It’s not enough to call – you must visit in person to see if your missing pet is there. Start looking as soon as you know your pet is gone, then continue to check over the next couple months, as sometimes it takes a lost pet that long to make it to the shelter. (Lost pets may continue roaming, evade capture or a good Samaritan may have taken your pet in temporarily.) Check online resources such as the Lost Pets of Circleville and Pickaway Co. group and Pet FBI.
If you come across a litter of kittens, the best course of action is to observe them from a distance before intervening. Mother cats often leave their kittens temporarily to hunt for food or take a break. If the kittens appear quiet, huddled together, sleeping soundly, and have pink, warm skin and round bellies, it’s a good sign that their mother is nearby and caring for them. However, if you suspect the kittens are truly orphaned, please complete our online surrender form to check if we have availability to take them in. Thank you for helping us ensure the best care for these little ones!
If you find an adult cat outdoors, the first step is to determine whether it is a stray (homeless or lost) or feral (wild). A friendly cat that approaches you with gentle coaxing may be a lost pet. Check for lost cat posters in your area, or take the cat to a veterinary clinic to have it scanned for a microchip. If you’re unable to locate the owner, you can complete our online surrender form to see if we have availability to take the cat in. If the cat is feral—meaning it avoids human contact and behaves like a wild animal—it’s best to leave it alone, as feral cats are adapted to living outdoors. If you are caring for a stray or feral cat, please see our Rascal Unit page for trap, neuter, release (TNR) clinic options. Thank you for helping us ensure the well-being of our feline friends!
We cannot accept strays. The Pickaway County Dog Shelter is the county animal control facility which is operated by the county through your dog licensing fees. They manage stray dogs in Pickaway County and enforce licensing and vicious animal laws. The Pickaway County Shelter is located at 21253 Ringgold Southern Rd, Circleville, OH 43113.
To surrender an animal, you must complete our online surrender form to see if we have availability to take the animal.
REMINDER: It is illegal to dump animals anywhere, including a humane society. Our premises are monitored by security cameras and anyone dumping animals will be prosecuted.
We do not receive any tax support or funding from Pickaway County, the city of Circleville, or the state of Ohio. We rely on the generosity of donors, local businesses, grants, individuals, and the community-at-large, to continue our important lifesaving work.
No. We are a local non-profit organization founded by community members. We serve the Pickaway County community’s companion animals and are not affiliated with the HSUS or ASPCA.
The Circle Area Humane Society brings the RASCAL Mobile Unit to Circleville typically once a month to offer low cost spay/neuters on an appointment basis. More information and registration is available under the RASCAL Mobile Unit tab.
We do not have or offer veterinary care services. We do not offer euthanasia services.
For local vet care, please find the following options below:
For emergency vet care, please find the following options below:
CAHS is a humane society located in Circleville, Ohio serving Pickaway Cou. We love helping to connect people with their perfect forever friend. Once you have completed an application online, we will contact you to set up a meet and greet appointment.
PLEASE NOTE:
Our mailing address for all business and mail-in donations differs from the physical address listed below.
For all mail-in correspondence and donations please send to: :
Circle Area Humane Society
PO BOX 784
Circleville, OH 43113
Copyright © 2025 Circle Area Humane Society - All Rights Reserved.