RCHS History

The Randolph County Humane Society was founded in 1958 by four Elkins women—Mrs. Dorothy Blake, Mrs. Kay Brown, Mrs. Janet Irwin and Mrs. Owen Lutz. A man in Highland Park reportedly donated some space in either a barn or an outbuilding to the group. In 1959, with the help of attorney Keith Cunningham, Blake purchased property on Weese Street—the current location of the shelter.

Blake and Brown were the driving force behind RCHS in its early years. Brown was a vigorous supporter of animal rights, often going out herself to investigate reports of animal abuse.

Phyllis Huffman, a good friend of Kay Brown’s, became involved with RCHS in 1973 and was instrumental in keeping the shelter in operation during the 1970s. Huffman came to Randolph County from Virginia where she had founded the Alleghany County Humane Society.

At a time when money for operations was in short supply, Huffman did everything from cleaning cages, writing press releases, assisting with euthanizing sick animals, hiring the onsite shelter custodian, remodeling the house where the custodian lived, and in general making the RCHS more visible in Randolph County.

Like Brown, Huffman was a vocal supporter of animal rights at a time when it was not generally accepted. In the mid-1970s, Huffman generated so much buzz about the shelter, she joked that her picture was in the paper more often than Patty Hearst's. Unfortunately, Huffman was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, making it impossible for her to continue volunteering. She passed away in January 2003.

Today, RCHS seeks to continue the legacy of its pioneering founders and early supporters by helping as many homeless animals as possible find their forever homes.

RCHS thanks Phyllis Huffman's daughter, Nechamah P. Singer, for providing much of the above information.

How You Can Help

Learn more about how you can help the animals by adopting, sponsoring or fostering a pet; donating money or supplies; or volunteering with RCHS.