Independence Day is an annual day of celebration, cookouts, parades and – yep that’s right – fireworks! While these holiday traditions are loads of fun, the noise and commotion from parades, crowded gatherings and fireworks are terrifying to many animals.

Dogs and cats are far more sensitive to sound than humans. Startled pets will run, dash through open doors, jump through windows (yes, even through the glass) and over fences to get away and hide. In this panicked state, they are at risk of being hit by a car or getting lost. It’s one of the reasons pets are found stray and brought to the shelter after the 4th of July. So make Independence Day enjoyable by keeping your pets calm and safe with these tips.
Have you heard the news? This year, Kitsap Humane Society has been selected as the beneficiary of the 11th annual  Kitsap Wine Festival!

This event takes place on Saturday, Aug. 10 at the beautiful Harborside Fountain Park in Bremerton from 2 to 5 p.m. At the event, you’ll have the opportunity to sample wines from over  25 wineries in our region, enjoy food samples from our amazing local restaurants, and enter to win prizes like preseason Seahawks tickets and more – all while enjoying the beautiful view, yard games and music. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore and take home your favorite wine from our retail wine shop.

General Admission ($65 per person) includes 12 drink tickets, food samples from each vendor, and a commemorative wine glass. The VIP Experience ($100 each) includes 1-hour early access starting at 1 p.m. (limited to 100 tickets), 15 drink tickets, food samples from each vendor, 5 raffle tickets, and a commemorative wine glass. 

*Attendees must be 21 years of age or older with valid ID at the entrance.*
This event is expected to sell out, so get your tickets today!
This year’s 26th annual PetsWALK presented by Poulsbo Animal Clinic was a blast – thanks to YOU!

Your fun, enthusiastic energy brightened up the cloudy overcast day and made PetsWALK the place to be this past Saturday, June 22. After running, walking and crawling their way down to Poulsbo’s Waterfront Park, hands swung up in victory as participants crossed the 5k charity walk/run finish line, and butts wiggled with joy as pets participating in our many contests showcased their talents. See more photos here!

We had an amazing turnout with 600 people and their pets attending this year’s PetsWALK, along with therapy horses, cats, and a pirate-dog named Jack. Because of YOU, we’re happy to announce that we’ve surpassed our fundraising goal and raised a little over $60,000 to support lifesaving care and shelter for animals in need. Woohoo! Huge thanks to everyone who registered for PetsWALK, participated in the Pet Expo, shared their fundraising campaign via social media, and invited friends to join in on this year’s fun– we greatly appreciate your support and contributions!
Meet George Luzik! George is a regular volunteer in our Cattery, coming in four days a week with his wife Kay to assist with cat adoptions. Right now, he’s on pace to have helped with 3,000 cat adoptions during his six-year volunteer service!
  
George started volunteering after retiring from the Civil Service. Initially, he thought being a volunteer meant he’d only be cleaning kennels, but after learning he could interact and socialize with cats in the Cattery, he decided to join the KHS family. And boy, has he made a difference!

Unfortunately, cats don’t get to go on shelter-break outings like dogs do, and because of that George is very sympathetic toward them. It’s important to George to make the cats in the Cattery feel as comfortable as possible because as he puts it: “The only love they get is the love we give them.”

Since volunteering, George has helped 2,820 cats get adopted – only 180 more adoptions away from hitting the big 3k! His trick to helping so many shelter cats find their forever homes is simple. The adopters and the cat must be a match.

"I like to make sure people don't go home with any expectations that can't be met. They must be a good fit for the pet, and the pet must be a good fit for them."

Based on George’s average number of adoptions each month during the summer, it’s likely he’ll hit 3,000 adoptions by mid-August. When he does, he will have performed nearly 500 more adoptions than any other volunteer or staff member has in the past 10 years. Way to go George – we’re rooting for you!
So much progress has been made since September 2018, when construction began on our new Pet Adoption Center, which opens in August! Here's the latest video of our construction progress.

We're also making progress on our Pet Lifesaving Campaign fundraising, raising $6 million toward our $8.5 million goal. If you're interested in making an investment in our new animal shelter, please contact Donor Relations Director Tom Weed, Director of Development Kim Cizek Allen, or Executive Director Eric Stevens. They'd love to give you a personal tour.
Molly Clark, one of our fabulous volunteers, recently took Miss Hippo on a shelter break, and says something happened that day that she'll remember forever. Here is her account:
 
I took Miss Hippo to the beach, and we stopped at several places for tons of snacks. We love snacks.
 
While we were walking on the beach, we came across a woman sitting on a log. As we got closer, I noticed she was crying. I tried to go a different direction to give the woman some space and privacy, when Hippo yanked the leash to go toward the woman.

"Whoa, Hippo! Let’s leave the woman alone," I said, pulling her back.
Click here to learn more about Miss Hippo and how to adopt her. 
The gal lifted her head and a small smile crossed her lips. “Is it okay if I say hi to your dog?” Hippo started to wag her tail and pull even harder.
 
I let us walk to the woman who stayed sitting on the log. Hippo pushed her head into her while the woman pet her chubby body. I explained how Hippo was a shelter dog and said that we were just out on a much-needed break. 

“She’s so friendly,” she said, and Hippo took that as an invitation to sit down next to her and shoved the lady over a few inches. “And pushy and stubborn,” I said, “sorry about that.” The woman smiled, but only at the dog. “I don’t think you’re stubborn,” she said. “Or pushy. I just think we both need someone to lean on.” And she leaned her body into the dog and started crying again.
Watch the video and please share it widely. We know there's a forever family out there for Tiger-- please help us find them! If you're interested in Tiger, please contact Ashley at acipolletti@kitsap-humane.org
Adorable Adoptable
Kipper is a super sweet and adorable 2-year-old Hound/Whippet mix with a heart of gold. This sweet little guy came into our care severely underweight and unsure of the world around him.

With the help of staff, volunteers, and his amazing foster family, Kipper is growing in confidence every day and learning that the world isn’t such a scary place. Once Kipper trusts you, he makes the most loyal and loving companion. He is a very affectionate and snuggly boy who will lean on you and gently place his little head on your leg for pets.Once he settles into your home, Kipper would love to go on long walks with you or even accompany you to fun places like the beach. Plus, this gentle boy is also great with other dogs!

Kipper is looking for his forever home that will give him the time, patience, and love that he deserves. If you can open up your heart and home to this sweet dog, please schedule a time to meet Kipper by emailing Katherine Britton.
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Volunteer Spotlight
Mika and Alan Furuya
This month our Volunteer Spotlight falls on Mika Furuya and her husband Alan! Mika has been volunteering and fostering with KHS since early 2017 and she has grown to be a valuable member of our team. While here at the shelter Mika is a regular dog-walker, dedicating her time to helping our small dogs get lots of enrichment and exercise out on our trails.

As foster parents, Mika and Alan are dedicated to helping animals’ health improve, and regularly foster animals under veterinary care so that they can enjoy the love of a home until they are ready for adoption. Cats, kittens, dogs and puppies have all been cared for by Mika and Alan, and their dedication and diligence to ensuring that they thrive is exceptional. Mika and Alan even help to share their foster experience by representing KHS at our Foster Information booths!

KHS thanks Mika and Alan for their continued service to our animals in their time of need!
Mika Furuya and her husband, Alan.
Employee Spotlight
Bailey Johnson
This month’s Employee Spotlight is shining on Bailey Johnson, our wonderful Foster Care Assistant! Bailey joined the KHS family last May with a love for animals. After losing her beloved dog, Teddy, she saw working at KHS as an opportunity to give love and affection to animals in need. 

Bailey brings a great level of support to the staff and foster parents of KHS. She has become a fantastic resource for our foster parents and holds down the fort single-handedly on days when the Foster Care Coordinator is not available. KHS foster parents appreciate her preparedness for appointments, her willingness to help and her warm demeanor! 

Bailey rolls with the ever-changing plans in the foster office, and always greets every challenge with a positive attitude. She strives to save time and be more efficient around the shelter, and her attention to the cleanliness of the foster office helps to keep all our kittens safe.
Bailey, thank you for all the love and care that you give to the shelter animal. You truly are amazing!
Community Spotlight
Kitsap Propane

We are excited to introduce our Kitsap Wine Festival Presenting Sponsor, Kitsap Propane , as this month’s community spotlight! Kitsap Propane and sister company Jefferson Propane work together to provide reliable propane service to the entire Puget Sound area. Dedicated to customer satisfaction, they have trucks on the road to keep you comfortable 7 days a week.

Kitsap Propane not only partnered with us to present the Kitsap Wine Festival on August 10, they also stepped up as our shelter’s propane supplier, saving us money and helping to keep our pets cozy and comfortable.Thank you, Kitsap Propane, for your heart for our shelter and the Kitsap community. WE appreciate you!

For more information about Kitsap Propane visit their website here, or give them a call at  (360) 638-1313.

Registration for the Kitsap Wine Festival Presented by Kitsap Propane is NOW OPEN! Sign up today!
With the purchase of a “We Love Our Pets” Washington state license plate, you will help spay and neuter more pets and save lives. Spaying or neutering is the most humane and effective method for reducing the number of homeless pets, and provides dogs and cats with significant health and behavioral benefits.

The license plate features lovable characters designed by artist and author Brian Bassett, (Adam@Home and “Red and Rover”), and are available for purchase at all Washington State vehicle licensing offices.
Thank you Bainbridge Community Foundation!
KHS received $8,500 in grant funding through the Bainbridge Community Foundation’s Annual Community Grants program. Over the last six years, KHS has received over $50,000 in grant support from BCF and this year their funding will go directly to helping us increase the number of at-risk animals saved in our community through the combined and complimentary strategies of our Low-Cost Spay/Neuter and Foster Care programs. Its an honor and privilege to work with the Bainbridge Community Foundation and we are very grateful for their continued support and partnership!
Many Thanks to Our Grand Shelter Sponsor:
Kitsap Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; Tax ID: 91-0728353