A Second Chance Starts at Home: How Foster Kits Are Saving Lives at Benton Franklin Humane Society

For nearly 60 years, the Benton Franklin Humane Society (BFHS) has been a compassionate cornerstone of our community, providing shelter, medical care, adoption services, and education for animals across Benton and Franklin Counties. As a private, no-kill nonprofit founded in 1966, BFHS relies entirely on the generosity of donors, volunteers, and community partners to give vulnerable animals the opportunity to heal, thrive, and find loving homes.

Last year, support from 3 Rivers Community Foundation helped organizations like Benton Franklin Humane Society continue serving our region in meaningful ways. Through a Meet the Moment grant, 3RCF funded Animal Foster Take-Home Kits—providing foster families with lifesaving supplies including formula, bottles, heating discs, scales, whelping boxes, and emergency care items. These kits remove barriers for volunteers while giving fragile puppies, kittens, and pregnant mothers the specialized care they need outside of the shelter environment.

The impact reaches far beyond a single animal. Foster care increases survival rates, reduces stress, helps animals become better socialized, and gives families the opportunity to experience the joy of helping an animal prepare for its forever home. Every successful foster placement creates room for another animal in need while strengthening the safety net for pets across our community.

This week, the 3RCF team had the privilege of volunteering alongside the incredible staff and volunteers at Benton Franklin Humane Society as part of our Meet the Moment campaign. We spent the morning walking shelter dogs, providing enrichment and socialization, and seeing firsthand the compassion that powers this organization every day. It was a powerful reminder that philanthropy is about more than writing a check—it’s about showing up with gratitude for the people and organizations who quietly strengthen our community.

As Meet the Moment 2026 continues, we’re inviting our community to help create more stories like this. Every gift made to the campaign helps 3 Rivers Community Foundation invest in nonprofits that respond to immediate needs while building a stronger future for our community. If Benton Franklin Humane Society—or another local nonprofit—has made a difference in your life, we invite you to Meet the Moment with Gratitude by making a gift and sharing your story of thanks. Together, we can ensure these organizations continue changing lives for years to come. Donate today: https://tinyurl.com/Donate2026MTM

FAQs:

What is the Benton Franklin Humane Society? Founded in 1966, the Benton Franklin Humane Society is a private, nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter serving Benton and Franklin Counties. The organization provides shelter, medical care, adoption services, foster programs, and community education to help animals find safe, loving homes.
How did 3 Rivers Community Foundation support Benton Franklin Humane Society? Through a Meet the Moment grant, 3 Rivers Community Foundation helped fund Animal Foster Take-Home Kits. These kits provide foster families with essential supplies such as formula, bottles, heating discs, scales, and other resources needed to care for vulnerable puppies, kittens, and nursing animals outside of the shelter.
Why are foster programs so important? Foster care gives young, injured, or medically fragile animals a safe home environment while freeing valuable shelter space for other animals in need. Foster families provide individualized care that improves health, socialization, and adoption outcomes.
How does Meet the Moment help nonprofits like Benton Franklin Humane Society? Meet the Moment raises unrestricted community grant funding that allows 3 Rivers Community Foundation to respond to immediate and emerging needs across Benton and Franklin Counties. Gifts to the campaign help strengthen nonprofits working every day to improve lives throughout our region.
How can I support Benton Franklin Humane Society? You can make a difference by adopting, fostering, volunteering, donating directly to the shelter, or participating in community volunteer opportunities hosted through Meet the Moment. Every act of generosity helps improve the lives of animals in our community. Donate: https://tinyurl.com/Donate2026MTM
How can I share my own story of gratitude? As part of Meet the Moment with Gratitude, community members are invited to share stories of appreciation for the nonprofits, volunteers, and donors who have made a difference in their lives. Selected messages will be featured throughout the campaign and celebrated during the 2026 Celebration of Philanthropy. Share Your Gratitude https://tinyurl.com/MTMshareyourgratitude