If you’ve ever taken a slow stroll down Broad Street in Downtown Rome, chances are you’ve paused outside 518 Broad Street. It’s hard not to, the windows at the Rome Floyd Humane Society have a way of stopping you in your tracks with the sight of sweet, curious cat faces peering right back at you.
Founded in 1996, the Rome Floyd Humane Society is a non-profit animal welfare organization that has been quietly transforming lives in Floyd County for decades. While their physical footprint on Broad Street is compact, their impact across our community is massive.
I recently met with Lori Barfield the Adoption Coordinator and learned about what goes into running this volunteer-powered organization, the critical services they offer, and why their mission is about so much more than just pet adoption.
More Than an Animal Shelter: The Rome Floyd Humane Society Is A Safety Net
While many people know the Rome Floyd Humane Society for cat adoptions, their mission spans far beyond finding homes for kitties. Because their building is cozy, they focus specifically on housing and adopting felines, but their outreach serves all pet owners across Rome and Floyd County.
Their core offerings include:
- Cat Adoptions: Socializing and matching rescued cats and kittens with long-term, loving families.
- Spay & Neuter Support: Guiding residents on vaccination access, affordable vet care, and local sterilization programs for both owned and community animals.
- Weekly Pet Food Pantry: Providing supplemental pet food to local families who are going through financial hardships so they don’t have to choose between feeding themselves or keeping their beloved pets.
Pet Food Pantry Details:
🗓 When: Wednesdays from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Where: 518 Broad Street, Rome, GA 30161
ℹ️ Note: ID and proof of Rome/Floyd County residence are required.
The Heart Behind the Glass: A Journey into Volunteering
Every single person working inside the Rome Floyd Humane Society is a volunteer, there are no paid positions. The organization relies on 40 to 50 dedicated volunteers who do everything from morning and evening kennel cleaning to medical management, social media, and socialization.
When asked how people get involved, Lori Barfield’s story stood out about stepping into the Adoption Coordinator role after retirement:
“My husband retired and we wanted to support a local organization with our time. We’d always walked past the building and stopped at the window to look at the cats. We started cleaning kennels and shortly afterward, the Adoption Coordinator position became vacant. It’s been very special to me to be able to help families find their perfect little cat match and help them transition well.”
That personal connection is what sets the organization apart. Volunteers come in at all hours of the day and night to ensure the cats are well-adjusted, socialized, and healthy before moving into a new home.
Eye-Opening Reality: The Importance of Spay & Neuter
One of the key takeaways from our chat is something every pet owner in Rome needs to know: cats can get pregnant as young as 4 months old, and they can become pregnant again just 2 weeks after giving birth.
In our community, spaying and neutering is required by law, and it remains the single most effective way to end animal suffering and overpopulation. Many of the kittens brought to the society come from well-meaning owners who intended to fix a pet mama, but were caught off guard by how quickly a new litter arrived. The Humane Society works directly with families to get the mother spayed while finding safe, loving homes for the babies.
Community, Connection, and “A-ha” Moments
Non-profit work isn’t without its hurdles. Burnout is real, and the sheer volume of need in animal rescue can feel overwhelming at times. But as the team shared, learning to lean on one another and foster friendships among volunteers makes all the difference.
One memorable “A-ha” moment for Lori highlights the unexpected joy of volunteering:
“I remember being so submerged in the work of steam cleaning the floors and answering texts about helping kitties adjust to their new homes that I forgot that new volunteers were really looking to make friends. A group of us took 14 kittens to Pulse Pilates in Calhoun, and afterwards we had lunch and we were all having such a good time. I looked around the table and realized: people volunteer because we’re all looking for friends who like what we like! It’s a lot about the cats, but it’s also about relationships with the people who volunteer, the families who adopt, and the community members who need our support.”
It Takes a Village: Meet the Rome Floyd Humane Society Volunteer Team
Running an all-volunteer organization requires strong coordination. While dozens of community members step up daily, the leadership structure guiding these efforts includes:
- Director: Lynne Griffin
- Spay & Neuter Coordinator: Leigh Ann Siegel
- Health Director: Leigh Bishop
- Volunteer Coordinator: Erin Hutchinson
- Pet Food Pantry Coordinator: Candace Leavens
- Social Media Director: Sofie Chambley
Whenever a long-term resident or a shy kitty finally finds their forever home, the volunteer group chat lights up with celebration. That shared joy keeps the momentum going every single day.
Small by Design: Quality Over Quantity
In a world where organizations are constantly told to scale up, the Rome Floyd Humane Society intentionally focuses on doing small things extraordinarily well.
Rather than trying to move as many animals through the doors as possible, their philosophy centers on one cat and one family at a time. By keeping their operations small and focused, they ensure every cat receives individual affection and every adopting family gets ongoing support long after they walk out the door.
How You Can Help Support The Rome Floyd Humane Society Mission
Because the Rome Floyd Humane Society operates entirely as a non-profit without relying on massive national funding, individual donations and local support keep their doors open.
Here are a few ways you can make a difference right here in Rome:
- Adopt: Looking for a furry companion? Visit their website to fill out an application or drop by during their monthly open house.
- Donate: Financial contributions go directly toward food, emergency veterinary care, and spay/neuter programs. Donations can be made online or mailed to 518 Broad Street Rome, Ga 30161.
- Volunteer: Whether you have an hour a week to clean kennels, socialize cats, or assist with social media, extra hands are always welcome!
- Visit an Open House: Stop by the first Saturday of every month from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM at 518 Broad Street to meet adoptable cats and chat with the volunteer team.
As the team wisely put it: “All good work makes a difference, even if it’s small.”
To learn more, view adoptable cats, or make a tax-deductible donation, visit the official website at www.romefloydhumanesociety.org
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