In 1911, Sarah helped to initiate the passing of a humane ordinance in Kansas City, Kansas for the prevention of cruelty to animals. The Humane Society of Wyandotte County was founded the following year. Sarah served as President and was involved in caring for the shelter animals on a daily basis until her death in 1925. She also began a milk fund for school children which exists to this day.

Upon her death, it was reported in the Kansas City Kansan that "Miss Sarah Jacobs died last night; and the little dumb animals would grieve if they knew, for in her going they have lost a kind and loyal friend."

In 1970, The Humane Society of Wyandotte County changed its name to The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City and continues to this day to serve the entire metropolitan area.

Below is an excerpt from an article written by Henriette H. Jacobs. It was published July 5, 1911 in The Gazette Globe of Kansas City, Kansas.

The Humane Society
by H.H. Jacobs

"Cruelty to animals is an ugly thing that shocks and disgust all who see it practiced. It attracts no one. It is small and cheap. It is the plainest mark of a coward. It reveals most quickly low birth and lack of education.

We are particularly responsible for the welfare of domestic animals because we brought them from their natural conditions for our own benefit. They have learned much from companionship with us, but we have also learned much from them. Those things that we hold as good they also hold as good. All the tenderness and beauty of motherhood they share with us. They never lie. They are grateful. A close study of the life of a dog that is given the opportunity to develop and come up to the best that is in him leads us to ask many grave questions about as to his origin and as to his future.

We can look into the eyes of horses and read their courage and patience. How much finer and higher these horses are than the contemptible drivers that oppress them. Men and women who seek to defend and protect animals do so from principle.

In a court room in Kansas City recently a judge said, referring to a man charged with cruelly beating his horse, "A man who will treat a horse like that will steal." Very many people share his opinion.

There is a little boy living near here, who has the entire care of a large flock of chickens. He has been promised that not one of them are to be killed. To everyone else the chickens look very much alike, but the boy knows each one of them from the other. They will eat from his hand or allow him to pick them up without showing any sign of fear. They have in fact no fear of anyone. They can be given the best of care if they are ill or meet with an accident. The results of the boy's plan are most satisfactory in the growth of the fowls and in their egg producing qualities. The boy has learned lessons in practical kindness to animals from his father... "