The Marion County Humane Society is an animal shelter located in Knoxville that serves the entire Marion County area. The purpose of MCHS is to give shelter to stray, lost or abandoned dogs and cats until either their owners are found or they are adopted to new homes. Since being founded in 1986 the MCHS has always required their adoptees to be altered to help the pet overpopulation. Part of the goal of the MCHS is to educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering their pets.