About Us

Our vision is for a community free of unwanted homeless pets where all adoptable companion animals have a loving forever home.

• Lead with Compassion
• Community Outreach & Animal Welfare Education
• Provide Low Cost Spay/Neuter Services & Veterinary Care
• Partner with the Community to Promote Responsible Animal Care
• Fiscal Responsibility

Driven by his unwavering desire to help homeless animals, the vision of Cornelius “Kees” Huijer became a reality in August, 2001, when the Caloosa Humane Society opened its doors. Mr. Huijer’s estate directed one million dollars be dedicated to the creation and maintenance of a humane society and animal care facility to serve the forsaken pets of rural Hendry and Glades counties. These funds were entrusted to the Southwest Florida Community Foundation.

Mr. Huijer retired to the Turkey Creek area of Ortona. Originally from the Dutch East Indies, he was educated as an engineer at the University in the Hague, and employed by Mobil Oil Company. He was a man of strong intellect, spoke five languages and had a great knowledge of history.

Caloosa Humane Society owes its existence to Cornelius Huijer – a compassionate visionary whose legacy lives on in this no-kill facility.