Humane Society Serving Community - and Cats

By RONDA GRAFF

MCFF

McCOOK - Since 1983, the McCook Humane Society has provided a temporary home for the area’s cats and dogs, serving as a no-kill shelter while animals find their forever-home.

Over the past 40 years, the shelter located at 100 South Street has seen many improvements, while continuously serving the community. The most recent update involved removing all the old cat cages and installing new cages for the incoming felines.

Along with simply installing more cages to house more cats, the new cages are more hygienic because the surfaces are easier to clean and the entrances/exits allow easier access to the animals.

The cages are even divided into “rooms,” including a “bathroom” area that holds the litter box, a “living room” where the cat can just hang out and an “entry way” for the animal to be taken out when needed.

With the new cat cages now installed, the McCook Humane Society is looking forward to additional improvements to the facility.

According to Director Lori Prestes, a priority is completely renovating the stalls for the dogs. The current set-up of gates and cinder-block walls dates back to the original construction of the facility four decades ago. To completely gut the dog cages will require additional funds and extensive work, which the workers and volunteers know is greatly needed, especially since the McCook facility is the only humane society in Southwest Nebraska. Changes that they are looking at in the dog area would not only provide better sanitation but would also reduce the noise level in the canine area.

The new cat cages were partially funded with a grant from the McCook Community Foundation Fund this past fall, recognizing that a better environment for the felines hopefully leads to more adoptions of the cats.

Other grant recipients during the fall 2023 were:

Anderson Endowment: McCook YMCA for a Stem/Maker-Space Project; McCook Public Schools, 2024 Bison Days
Sehnert Challenge: McCook Arts Council for Missoula Children’s Theater, Creative District; McCook Community Kitchen for Day of the Dead Celebration
Myers Challenge: McCook Community College Foundation for Nurses Aid Tuition Assistance
MCFF Endowment: High Plains Museum for Sound System

The next grant deadline for MCFF is quickly approaching with applications due by Monday, April 1. Applications along with a list of the recent recipients is available on the MCFF website, mccookfoundation.org.

For more information, email mcffund@gmail.com or call 308.340.3412.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Mail

February 2026 Volunteer Focus on TeamMates and Community

By Ronda Graff • February 16, 2026

Sara Rippen named February 2026 McCook Volunteer of the Month

Practicing Good Stewardship Takes Effort But Reaps Many Rewards

By Ronda Graff • February 11, 2026

Practicing Good Stewardship Takes Effort But Reaps Many Rewards

Bison Days Is About More Than Just Jobs

By Ronda Graff • February 5, 2026

Bison Days brings high schoolers and community members to learn about job possibilities but also interests and hobbies in their hometown.

MCFF Expands Scholarship Offerings

By Ronda Graff • February 4, 2026

MCFF Continues to Add Scholarships for Local Students

With Little Snow, Still the Season of Lights

By Ronda Graff • January 29, 2026

With little to snow on the ground in McCook, holiday lights help beat the drab and dreary season.

Jan. 2026 Volunteer of the Month Devoted to Church and Community

By Ronda Graff • January 22, 2026

To kick off the new year, Jo Beebe has been selected as the January 2026 McCook Volunteer of the month. While many people might know Jo for her years at the Sports Shoppe, she can be found giving hours of her time to the community, especially at St. Patrick Church. Whether during the weekly Mass or for a funeral or wedding, Jo shares her beautiful voice from the choir loft, as well as leading the choir members. Jo, along with her husband Harold, also has served as the St. Pat’s GALA host couple in the past and continues to help with set-up and cleanup of the annual event. Jo is also active with the Fall Festival, the Rosary Rally and the Wild Game Feed in Curtis every year. She attends every the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults class and helps students prepare for confirmation. And since retiring from the Sports Shoppe, she is active in the Altar Society, and volunteers at the Bargain Bazaar thrift store. According to her nomination, “The way Jo gives of her time and talents to our parish and community is a reflection of her faith,” and the community and the church are better because of her generosity. The McCook Philanthropy Council selects the monthly recipient for the McCook Volunteer of the Month award as part of the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s McCook Volunteer program. If there is a volunteer in the community who should be recognized, please contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308.340.3200 or visit McCook Volunteers on the MCFF website, mccookfoundation.org to complete a nomination form. The only requirement is that the nominee must be a resident of McCook or Red Willow County. Please have information about the nominee along with where and how they volunteer in the community.