Cultivate Compassion with Our Brand New Apparel! |
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Our brand-new apparel is here just in time for spring! And this season, we’re not just tending to our gardens, but our hearts as well. Here at KHS, we believe in compassion for pets and people alike! Cultivate compassion for our community in style with our limited-edition apparel.
With four options to choose from through our online shop, you can show your love for cats, dogs, and critters! We also have fun tie-dye options in each design. These beautiful, hand-drawn designs are placed on extra-soft apparel and make the purr-fect gift for the animal lover in your life. Get yours before they’re gone! This drop will only be available from March 1-20.
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21 New Bunnies Arrive at KHS from Tacoma Hoarding Case |
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Just two weeks ago, The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County received an emergency phone call that more than 240 rabbits were living in unsafe, overcrowded conditions. They began the immense task of transferring all 246 bunnies into their care but knew right away that they would need help to find loving homes for this massive influx of rabbits. Here at Kitsap Humane Society, we knew we could help!
While we don’t have much space for small animals like rabbits, with the help of our dedicated fosters and quick-working staff, we made room for 21 rabbits including a mother and her four kits. They arrived just today and are being examined by our vet team, settling into some fresh bedding, and preparing to become available for adoption soon!
Looking to add a bun to your family? Keep an eye on our website to see when these lovely rabbits become available for adoption!
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Spay & Neuter Awareness Month Success
Last month we celebrated Spay/Neuter Awareness Month & World Spay Day by not only offering a Cat Fix Day to 30+ cats from low-income families but also by taking part in Pasado’s Safe Haven’s World Spay Month collective. As part of this collective, KHS and 17 other local organizations came together to tackle the immense backlog of pets waiting to be spayed or neutered. Collectively, our goal was 3,352 spay/neuter surgeries in the month of February with Kitsap Humane Society’s personal goal being 218. We are proud to report that we not only met our goal but exceeded it with 280 spay/neuter surgeries in the month of February with 156 of those being for low-income families and the remainder for shelter pets.
Thank you so much to Pasado’s Safe Haven for putting together this collective action. We are proud to be part of an animal welfare community that aims to provide spay/neuter services to as many community members in need as possible.
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My Furry Valentine Raises $7,000 for Pets in Need
Thanks to your support, we raised $7,000 for pets in need during My Furry Valentine Presented by Dee Fitzgerald State Farm Insurance! Not only were family and friends showered with extra love while receiving adorable, one-of-a-kind valentines like our paw-fect paintings and goodie bags filled with treats, but our shelter pets were shown love through special enrichment activities created by our staff and volunteers and delivered to animals throughout the shelter. Additionally, your generous gifts provided vaccinations, microchipping and transportation of at-risk pets. Thank you for showing the love this Valentine’s Day!
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Kitsap Humane Society Celebrates 115 Years!
This year, Kitsap Humane Society is celebrating 115 years of serving as more than a shelter to our community. Throughout 2023, we’ll be looking back at milestones made possible by community supporters like you and ahead at what’s on the horizon for “the little shelter that could.”
First up, check out the latest edition of our KHS Magazine, which includes a 115-year timeline of achievements and a spotlight on our modern-day founder, Almeda Wilson Harris.
Be on the lookout for a refreshed website with a focus on accessibility and mobile-friendly first options!
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Construction Timelapse
Currently, the Russ & Linda Young Veterinary Lifesaving Center is scheduled to open this fall. Please pardon our dust as we continue, and thank you for your continued support of this much-needed treatment facility. Check out our latest timelapse!
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We are so grateful for our community’s support through AmazonSmile! AmazonSmile was recently discontinued by Amazon in late February, but you can still be a friend to animals in need by becoming a monthly donor! To do so, visit our donate page and be sure to check the box ensuring you “make this an ongoing, sustaining gift!”
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Adorable Adoptable
Meet Parker!
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Meet Parker! This handsome, 1-year-old shepherd mix is looking for a forever home where he can blossom into his best self. Parker is a big boy weighing in at 87 pounds of love and personality! Because Parker sometimes gets a little excited and forgets his manners, he would do best in a home with children 16 and up, where his patient adopters can help him learn new things through enrichment activities and training. Parker loves playing fetch, giving his people kisses, and cuddling up for an afternoon nap. He gives the best hugs and always greets you with a smile.
Do you want to bring Parker home but need time to decide to adopt? Give this sweetheart a trial run through our Foster to Adopt program! Take some time to simply get to know Parker in your own home and then see if you'd like him to stay. If you'd like to get to know our friend Parker, come to the shelter and meet him today!
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Volunteer Spotlight
Meet Andrea Giesbrecht!
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To say this foster is a super mom probably isn’t saying enough! Foster mom to felines and humans alike, meet Andrea Giesbrecht!
Andrea, and her fabulously supportive family, have been fostering with KHS for 10 years now, fostering nearly 300 cats and kittens. “As a lifelong animal lover, and especially a kitty lover, this is a perfect fit for our large family and me," said Andrea. "The kids have been hands-on in helping us raise these wonderful kittens. I also always wanted to be a midwife, so taking on the pregnant mama kitties has been a win-win for me. I get to be a feline midwife!”
“The Giesbrechts are usually our first call when we find ourselves with a mama cat going into active labor,” says Foster Lead Gina. “I love when Andrea picks up the phone, and her response is, "I’m in Seattle, but Taj [her husband] can be there in 20!" It really is a whole family fostering affair!”
Andrea and Co. tend to take on a lot of feline families, but over the years, they’ve fostered it all! Hissy kittens, sick kittens, huge litters, tripod singlets, and everything in between.
“It can be a LOT of work, but the joy we get is worth it all!” she said. “One of the most rewarding parts of this work is seeing the progress these kittens make in our care. From getting over illnesses to coming out of their shells and becoming social and active. And sometimes playing detective to figure out what kind of help a kitten needs to grow and thrive!”
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Over our years working together, we’ve learned that the Giesbrecht house is a pretty happening place, and foster kittens are often at the center of events, from college kids home for break, to post-prom parties featuring kittens hiding in elegant dresses. And as Andrea says, “Kitten snuggles keep me going on even the toughest days!”
“Andrea is a top-tier human being,” says Foster Manager Holly. “She’s compassionate to humans and animals alike, always positive and willing to help, full of warmth and humor. We love working with Andrea!”
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Staff Spotlight
Meet Holly Morrey!
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One of our most tenured employees, Holly will be celebrating 13 years with KHS this September and serves as a veterinary assistant!
Every day is different, and in her role, Holly describes her work as a “nurse for pets.” And she couldn’t love it anymore, describing working at KHS as “not a job but a calling.”
Born and raised in Seabeck/Tahuya area, “when we only had dirt roads”, Holly shares, she eventually moved to Seattle and worked in banking for 24 years. One day, Holly says, “I finally decided that what I really wanted to do with my life was to work with animals. I figured at my age nobody would hire me without any experience so I went back to school for veterinary assistant/tech, and finally ended up here at KHS, which I consider my home away from home.”
To many of us at KHS, Holly is a light and joy to work with, caring for people and pets alike in the ways only she can! She says, “I adopted a Great Dane/Hound mix many years ago from KHS, but he has since passed on. I currently have zero pets but many doggie friends. I keep a bag of toys in the back of my car when I go visiting.”
Holly’s manager shares, “Holly is a real rockstar. She is very passionate about KHS and all of the animals in her care is a fabulous, dependable team member who is always willing to go the extra mile. And she makes the best cupcakes on the planet!”
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Holly wants her community to know that “Doing this type of work to help the hurt, sick, injured, scared, and homeless pets in our community is not only fulfilling but healing to the soul.”
We couldn’t agree more, Holly, plus - your cupcakes really are out of this world! Thank you for all you do!
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Community Spotlight
Fraternal Order of Eagles #2338
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In the true spirit of their motto “People Helping People,” Fraternal Oder of the Eagles #2338 (an international non-profit organization uniting fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality) selected KHS to receive the benefits of their collective generosity by hosting a food drive to help fill our Pet Food Pantry. As you can see, their food drive brought in a tremendous donation of pet food, treats, toys, and pet accessories. But their generosity didn’t end there; in addition to all of the pet food they collected, they also collected funds in memory of their fellow Eagle, Roger Vanden Bos, who sadly passed away in late 2022. Kitsap Humane Society is honored and humbled by the generosity and support of FOE #2338 and their heartfelt donation in honor of their friend.
At KHS, we are committed to keeping more pets and families together with our Pet Food Pantry, which is open on a walk-in basis between 11: 00 am-4:00 pm, seven days a week. Dog and cat food are available to residents of Kitsap and Mason County who are low-income to aid in our efforts to support pet retention and reduce surrenders to the shelter.
Thanks to the generous donations of pet food from our community of supporters, like our friends at FOE #2338, we are able to serve as a safety net for people and pets in need.
To learn more about how you can host your own food or fund drive for Kitsap Humane Society, please contact Jamie Nocula at jnocula@kitsap-humane.org.
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Puppuccino Pal Spotlight
Dana Post of Life Changing Real Estate
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Please meet our March Puppuccino Pal Sponsor, Dana Post, Realtor, Broker, and Owner of Life Changing Real Estate at Keller Williams West Sound! Not only does Dana Post provide outstanding real estate services to her customers but she also gives back to the community as a portion of her proceeds on every home sale and purchase is donated to her client’s chosen nonprofit organization.
Dana Post began her career in real estate in 2006. “I started this career in 2006 with a dream of giving “a house for a house.” Meaning, every time I close a home sale or purchase, someone in the community gets housing. My nonprofit dream originated with a heart for the homeless. This vision evolved on a service trip to Peru in 2017-2018. My business mission became empowering my clients to choose the nonprofit that matches their heart for their transaction donation. Adding this extra layer of service to a real estate transaction has truly up-leveled its meaning in my clients’ lives."
When asked why she chose to become a Puppuccino Pal Sponsor, Dana said, “While our family’s personal adoptions sparked my initial love of KHS, I have been nothing but deeply moved and impressed with its growth and impact in so many lives over the years. Each expansion effort and all the added services, both locally and through shelter relationships elsewhere, continue to inspire me and make me want to partner with KHS forever!”
On top of her wonderful sponsorship, Dana has let us know that anyone who contacts Dana Post for real estate services and directly mentions reading about her Puppuccino Pal Sponsorship will automatically donate an extra $250 back to KHS at closing. Contact Dana Post for more information at danapost@kw.com.
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Many Thanks to Our Grand Shelter Sponsor: |
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Kitsap Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; Tax ID: 91-0728353 |
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