About Us
Mrs. Irma Callison owned a grocery store with her husband, but she was better known as the "Cat Lady". Irma would be concerned when she heard of a dog or cat running loose, so she would go find the animal and simply bring it home. This was of the day and age when stray animals were shot on sight if they couldn't be caught or its owner wasn't immediately found.
In 1957, The Newton Animal Rescue League and Humane Society was chartered. Irma loved the animals dearly, but over a period of time it became quite a task to care for all of the animals. It was during this time that June Anderson became acquainted with Irma and would do a variety of tasks. In 1973, June volunteered as the League's first Humane Officer. She would receive calls from the police department and respond to citizen complaints regarding everything from a dog being neglected to an elehant being tied to a parking meter on the Newton Square. June was a dedicated, volunteer Humane Officer for 19 years.
Over the years, the League has changed hands and grown in spite of its lack of funding, space and equipment. In 1997, the shelter was in danger of being shut down due to overcrowding. It was then that a volunteer fundraising group was formed, a Director hired, and shelter operations expanded to include Jasper County.
In 2000, Jasper County Animal Rescue League and Humane Society was created with a very big thank you to the dedicated volunteers, who like Irma, had a passion for helping all animals.
