Our Story
About the Helen O. Krause Animal Foundation, Inc.
The Helen O. Krause Animal Foundation, Inc. (HOKAFI) is a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter located in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, providing care and refuge for abandoned, abused, and stray dogs and cats.
Founded by the late Helen Opperman Krause, HOKAFI carries forward a legacy rooted in compassion, perseverance, and a lifelong devotion to animals.
A Volunteer-Driven Shelter
The shelter is run primarily by a dedicated corps of volunteers and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Foundation depends entirely on support from the private sector through donations, membership dues, grants, and fundraising activities.
Today, the shelter sits on approximately two acres of landscaped grounds in a rural community. The complex includes a state-of-the-art main cat shelter built in 1999, a remodeled cat shelter annex, and a dog kennel.
At any given time, HOKAFI may be home to as many as 100 cats and 10 dogs, each receiving care, safety, and the chance for a better future.
Helen’s Lifelong Devotion to Animals
Helen’s commitment to animals was recognized by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, which cited her many years of dedication to animal welfare.
In 1982, when Camp Hill Borough Council refused to renew a required license, Helen had three months to move or risk having her animals confiscated and destroyed. After great uncertainty, Helen and the animals found a new home in Dillsburg. Soon after, she founded the Helen O. Krause Animal Foundation, Inc.
Her mission was simple, but powerful: animals deserve safety, dignity, and care. That belief became the foundation for a shelter that continues to serve animals in need through the generosity of volunteers, donors, members, and supporters.
“Does tomorrow hold promise for an animal? Can he dream, project his thoughts into tomorrow? Envision the days ahead? Can our furred and feathered creatures look forward to a happy day dawning, the anticipation of well-being again, the joy of changing seasons, warm sunshine and crisp autumn days? I am very much inclined to believe our beloved pets live only for the day, knowing nothing of a better life beyond. Today is theirs. How well it is for us to remember this and make each day one of kindness, patience and love.”
Carrying Helen’s Legacy Forward
In her book, No More Pets, Helen reflected on finding contentment in “the hills … the woodlands close at hand, the trees overhead, the birds, a whole glorious universe all about me.” That same love for the world around her shaped her life’s work and continues to inspire the Foundation today.
Helen passed away peacefully on December 27, 1999, just a few days before her 95th birthday. She was remembered as a smart, energetic woman whose bond with animals was almost mystical. Animals were her ruling passion.
Through her example and the Foundation she inspired, Helen profoundly enriched the lives of the animals and people around her. Today, HOKAFI honors her enduring legacy by continuing the work she started: offering care, compassion, and hope to animals in need.