Campus-wide, KHS has renovated and/or rebuilt animal sheltering facilities over the past eight years, replacing critical, but dilapidated and beyond-service life spaces, with humane housing improvements suited to current industry best practices.

Now, after having remade our feline holding area last summer, we're taking on another project: the remodeling of our outdated canine holding spaces. These kennels are used primarily for incoming stray animals and for pets surrendered by their owners. The upgrades include new kennel facilities that improve sanitation and are easier to clean, which helps mitigate illness. The improvements will also make the spaces quieter and more welcoming.

Thanks to generous donations from Lou Ellen and Howard Horwitz, Susan Rausch and Paul Privateer, and the Lenore Hanauer Foundation, as well as a grant from the ASPCA, the project is slated to begin in June and take approximately 6 to 8 weeks.

This means we are going to lose a good share of our kennels during this time - in a shelter that's already regularly full. Thanks to some timely help from McDonald's Kennels and Peninsula Pet Lodge, we have been able to find placement for many of our anticipated residents, but not all. Here's where you, our community, comes in.

We are on the hunt for our newest additions to our Foster Roster - whether for a few weeks, through the conclusion of our canine holding project, or until the pup is adopted, we need homes urgently.

Joining the team is easy:



1. Complete the foster care application online.
2. Allow up to two weeks for the Foster Team to review and process your application. Once the application is processed, you will receive an email link to the Online Foster Orientation.
3. After you’ve completed orientation, pick your pathway! You can learn about how to quarantine your foster animal, how to clean your space once they’ve been adopted, dog behavior, kitten feeding and health, and much more.
4. When the core training modules are complete, we’ll add you to our outreach email list and invite you to a few other cool foster-specific resources.

Foster Parents must be 18 years old. Youth applicants ages 16 and 17 years old are welcome with legal guardian’s written permission. Parents must fill out paperwork and complete trainings alongside the youth applicant. All animals in the residence must be up to date on vaccines. If interested in fostering a dog and have dogs at home, you must bring resident dogs into the shelter with you to meet with each potential foster dog to avoid any major personality clashes.

Questions? Contact the Foster Team at foster@kitsap-humane.org. We can't wait to have you join the fun!

The Best Doggone Event of the Summer is Nearing!

PetsWALK 2025, presented by Animal Emergency & Specialty Center, races back to Downtown Poulsbo on Saturday, June 7! This walk/run and festival celebrates our furry friends and raises money for pets in need. After the walk/run, make your way to the Finn-ish Line Festival at Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park for a fantastic vendor fair! Discover a variety of pet-centric vendors and unique handmade items, and enjoy live music from The Harmony Wombats and DJ Big Dog. But the excitement doesn't end there – stick around for some adorable pet contests! It’s an absolutely pawsome way to conclude the event.

Fundraising carries lots of incentive, too! You can earn prizes like our limited-edition KHS tumbler, a custom Lego set, or a pet photo shoot for the highest fundraiser! Register, fundraise for prizes, and spread the word!

Spring to the Shelter to Meet Our Adoptables!

She's a Real Gem!

Meet Ruby, an 8-year-old Dachshund/Terrier mix who is ready to join you as your perfect adventure buddy! Ruby's favorite things include long walks, cozy couch sessions, playing with stuffed toys, and going for car rides. Currently chilling in foster, Ruby has lived with cats and met with young kiddos, and is thriving in a predictable and calm environment. She's crate-trained and knows many commands, including "sit," "shake" with both paws, "lay down," and "roll over." Ruby is ready to bring her smarts and sweetness to a patient, loving family! Because Ruby is currently in foster care, please email adoptions@kitsap-humane.org to schedule a meet and greet before visiting the shelter.

Meet this Handsome Man!

Introducing Vance, a charming 3-year-old kitty seeking a soft spot to land! Vance is a simple man who would love a good window and couch combo for his sightseeing pleasure and quiet napping spots for his lazy days. Vance is currently enjoying his time as an office cat, accompanying our Volunteer Managers and serving as quite the little assistant! This sweet boy is FIV+, a disease that leaves cats vulnerable to other infections, but the transfer from one cat to another is uncommon. Vance would thrive with a patient family who appreciates his love for leisure and who can provide extra treats and serene comfort as he transitions into his new home.

Beautiful and Sweet!

Check out our friend, Rose! She is an 1-year-old terrier mix hoping to blossom into your new best friend. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but a doggo with Rose as her name is the sweeetest! Rose is looking for a home where she can spend her time lounging around on the couch, soaking up all the attention of her humans. She is excited for a life full of adventures, playing, and taking time to smell the roses. Rose is eager to train and learn all sorts of new tricks, she's especially excited to show you her crate training! If you're looking for a lovely girlie to shower with love, then come meet Rose today!

April Adoptions

Wow - another month has flown by! 167 pets found loving homes including 70 cats, 46 dogs, 11 kittens, 29 puppies, 7 guinea pigs, 3 rabbits, and a goat! That includes our awesome pal Murphy who is off adventuring with his new family!

Thank you to each and every person who helped animals find homes, from the staff who care for them, to those who donate to their care, and finally to our adopters who choose to open their hearts and homes.

If you've adopted a new family member from KHS, we'd love to hear more! Submit your KHS alum's Happy Tails for a chance to have them featured across our social media platforms!

Meet Hot Java Café, our #PuppuccinoPals Sponsor!

Our sweet Helena is enjoying her pup cup from April's #PuppuccinoPals Sponsor - Hot Java Café! Located off Kitsap Way in Bremerton, Hot Java Café aims to accommodate as many people as possible by offering gluten-free options to their customers. In addition, they offer grain-free, corn-free, gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO dog treats from Naturally 4 Paws as an alternative to Puppuccinos to keep dog-lovers coming back for more!

This quaint coffee shop offers a comfortable dine-in experience or a convenient drive-thru option. Hot Java Café has been in business since 1995 and is proud to say that they were the first café to serve Dillanos coffee! Hot Java Café offers a selection of delicious drinks and hand-made treats for people and pups alike.

“We chose to become a Puppuccino Pal Sponsor because we just love dogs,” said DeeDee Easler, Hot Java Café owner, who we're honored to have joining us again! “I think every animal should have a home and I am so glad that KHS helps them find theirs! I love the Humane Society and that you help the people in our community who might not be able to afford vet care. We need more of that.”

To learn more about our April #PuppuccinoPals sponsor, or our sweet adoptables, including Helena, visit our website!

The ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), in recognition of widely-reported challenges that animal welfare shelters nationwide are facing - overcrowded shelters and long lengths of stay for animals in their care - came forward in 2024 with a $3 million grant initiative for U.S. shelters to fund programs that support animal outcomes; animal psychological health; and access to veterinary care. KHS determined that our Dog Holding Kennels project could be a good fit for this program and its emphasis on animal psychological health - especially as we face longer lengths of stay for animals in our care, high local intake, and our shelter is frequently at/over capacity. With dual goals to reduce mental stress for dogs and improve sanitation and illness mitigation, KHS applied, and in December 2024, we were notified that ASPCA was awarding us $95,000 toward this project! Having already secured a significant gift from an individual supporter, this support from the ASPCA made the renovation of canine holding kennels a reality, and work is scheduled to begin this June.

KHS is deeply grateful to the ASPCA for this National Shelter Grant, and for their partnership and funding over the past 15 years. Thank you, ASPCA, for supporting the physical and mental well-being of dogs in our care.

About the ASPCA

The ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) has been at the forefront of animal rescue and protection since our founding as the first animal welfare organization in North America in 1866. For more than 150 years, we have been the leading voice in animal welfare, bringing the critical protection of animals to the forefront of society.

Our Events Have Been a Howlin' Success!

Thank you to everyone who attended our annual Comedy Unleashed Comedy Show, presented by Run Dog Run! With hilarious performances by Monica Nevi, Thomas Friday, and host Joseph Rogers from Comedy in Kitsap, over $19,000 was raised throughout the evening. It was a night full of laughs, delicious food, and the company of fellow animal lovers, and we are so grateful to those that made the evening wildly successful.

We are also grateful to Crane's Castle Brewery for hosting Pints for Pets in March, and Hood Canal Brewery, the venue for our most recent outing. Special shoutout goes to Therese Currie - Real Estate Agent, The Saucy Sailor, and The Harmony Wombats for making Sunday's Pints for Pets extra special!

Our first Pets on the Patio at Finn Hill Starbucks was also a success; we loved enjoying some coffee and a Puppuccino with our favorite furry friends. We can't wait to see you at the next event! Check out our calendar for more info on all the ways you can support our mission!

Pets for Patriots Unleashes Hope

We recently told you the story of Sadie, the 12-year-old terrier who received bladder stone surgery prior to her adoption in February. We're happy to share that she found her home thanks to a fantastic adoption partnership - Pets for Patriots!

To show are thanks to the military families in our community, Kitsap Humane Society has partnered with Pets for Patriots to provide 50% off adoptions to veterans searching for animal companions. This partnership also supports the continued care of their new furry family member. This amazing organization provides a new leash on life for shelter dogs and military families all across the country.

To qualify for this discount, please contact Pets for Patriots directly for information and pre-approval. To learn more about adopting through Pets for Patriots, visit their website!