Community Highlights: Meet Krystyll Harden of Henry County Humane Society

Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystyll Harden.

Hi Krystyll, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey with Henry County Humane Society began with a lifelong passion for animals and a desire to make a meaningful difference in my community. I spent most of my career working in the service industry waiting tables and bar tending until I accepted a position as a barn specialist providing animal-assisted therapy to adults with autism. That experience changed my life. It showed me that I would never be fulfilled in a typical 9-to-5 job. I needed to do work that made a positive impact on the world.

I ended up earning my degree in Animal Welfare Management, graduating with high honors. Soon after, the opportunity arose to become the Executive Director of the Henry County Humane Society. It felt like everything had led me to that moment.

What started as a love for helping animals has grown into a career dedicated to improving the lives of both animals and the people in our community. Every day, I have the privilege of advocating for those without a voice, supporting families, and working alongside an incredible team to create lasting, positive change.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any nonprofit, our journey has come with its share of trials and tribulations. When I stepped into the Executive Director role, the shelter was facing significant challenges. The facility was in poor condition, the organization struggled with its reputation, and there was very little staffing. In the beginning, it was just me and one other employee working every day to keep the shelter operating.

Just two months after I started, a storm blew part of the roof off the building. Rain leaked into the shelter, soaking animal enclosures and even our food storage areas. The building had no ventilation or air conditioning, and during the summer it regularly reached temperatures of 85 degrees with 85% humidity inside. We relied on more than 40 fans just to help keep the animals cool and comfortable.

At the time, adoptions were low, and some animals had been waiting for homes for more than five years. With almost no staff or volunteers, every day was a challenge. There were moments that felt overwhelming, but those obstacles also strengthened my commitment to rebuilding the organization.

Since then, we’ve worked tirelessly to improve the shelter, expand our programs, strengthen community partnerships, and create better outcomes for both animals and the people we serve. Looking back, those early struggles make the progress we’ve achieved even more meaningful. I’m happy to say that today, the shelter is a completely different place. We now have a cool, dry facility with a new rubber roof and a modern HVAC system, providing a safe and comfortable environment for both the animals and our staff. We’ve grown our team, expanded our volunteer base, increased adoptions, and developed programs that better serve our community and help keep pets with their families whenever possible..

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Henry County Humane Society is much more than an animal shelter, we are a community resource dedicated to improving the lives of both animals and the people who care for them. While we provide safe shelter, medical care, and adoption services for homeless animals, we also focus heavily on prevention, education, and keeping pets in loving homes whenever possible.

What sets us apart is our commitment to looking beyond traditional sheltering. We offer affordable spay and neuter assistance, a pet food pantry, humane education programs, and community partnerships that address the root causes of animal homelessness. We believe that helping people care for their pets ultimately helps reduce the number of animals entering shelters.

We are also committed to continuously improving animal welfare. From renovating our facility to creating enrichment programs that improve the physical and emotional well-being of our animals, every decision we make is centered around providing the highest quality of care possible while treating every animal with dignity and compassion.

What I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve built. Our team truly believes that every animal deserves a second chance, regardless of age, breed, medical condition, or how long they’ve been waiting for a home. We’ve transformed not only our facility but also the way our community views the shelter. Today, we are known for compassion, innovation, transparency, and our willingness to work alongside other organizations and community members to find solutions.

I want readers to know that when they support Henry County Humane Society, they’re supporting far more than adoptions. They’re investing in lifesaving programs, education, responsible pet ownership, and a healthier, more compassionate community. Every volunteer hour, every donation, and every adoption helps us continue our mission of creating a future where every animal is valued, cared for, and given the opportunity to thrive.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think anyone who chooses to work in the nonprofit sector is, in many ways, a risk-taker. You step into a career knowing it may never offer the financial rewards or benefits that other professions do. Instead, you’re choosing something much deeper…a purpose.

For me, that purpose has always been making a difference in the lives of animals and the people who love them. The work is demanding, emotionally exhausting, and often unpredictable, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. There is no paycheck that compares to watching an abused animal learn to trust again, seeing a family reconnecting with a lost pet, or helping an animal find the loving home they’ve been waiting years for.

I didn’t choose this career because it was easy or lucrative. I chose it because I wanted my work to matter. At the end of each day, knowing that I’ve made even a small positive impact on my community is worth more to me than anything else.

Pricing:

• Senior Dogs-$100
• Adult Dogs-$200
• Puppies- $300
• Kittens- $100
• Adult Cat- $75

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Henryhumane.org