The Wonderful Life of Bindy:
KHS alum lives every dog's dream
Long-time Kitsap Humane Society supporter Denis Powers has found joy in providing his rescue dogs with the most adventurous and relaxing lives he can. Over the years, Denis has adopted three cats from KHS as well as his dogs Spencer, Baily, Bindy, and Kyna.

Denis felt that he had a special bond with each of his pets, but he described Bindy as a “one in a million” dog. And while he hadn’t planned on adopting a dog the day he found Bindy, she was a light in his life from the moment they met.

While shopping at PetSmart one day, Denis stumbled upon Bindy, “As I entered the store, off to the left, was a table staffed by volunteers from Kitsap Humane Society,” he wrote in an email.

“Next to that table, in a large wire crate, stood an extremely beautiful long-haired yellow dog. I just had to go over and take a closer look. Inside the crate, I found a dog that seemed completely confused and lost. I asked the volunteer for some information. She said the dog was a one year and three-month-old Golden Retriever mix that had been surrendered only hours before. She then asked me if I would like to take the dog for a walk around the store. Knowing full well what was about to happen, I eagerly said yes."
More than 250 Households Come Together for the Pets this Giving Tuesday
A heartfelt thanks to the more than 250 animal-loving households who contributed to Kitsap Humane Society’s lifesaving work on this most recent Giving Tuesday. This year has been full of uncertainty, but Kitsap Humane Society’s support of the pets and people in our community has never faltered. Thanks to your support, we can continue to provide lifesaving care to more than 6,000 pets a year, like Lindor, who came to us underweight, scared, and in need of medical attention. Today, he is thriving as a beloved member of his adoptive family. If you didn't make a gift during Giving Tuesday, you can give today. Thank you!
Kitsap Humane Society's Pet and People Food Drive Exceeded Expectations
As we've continued to navigate the ongoing pandemic, it has created financial challenges for numerous people. Many families, including their furry loved ones, are facing food insecurity due to this crisis. To help stock the shelves of KHS's pet food pantry, as well as the shelves of food banks throughout Kitsap County, we held our second annual food drive to benefit pets and people in need during November.

Last year, we were able to exceed our goal of delivering well over 250 pounds of groceries, including pet food, to various food banks across the county. This year, we set our sights a bit higher and asked for help from all of you to double that amount! Donations are still trickling in, but we are happy and humbled to report that we have already tripled the amount collected last year!

We believe that helping to keep pets in their loving homes is an extension of the lifesaving work done each day in our shelter. Thanks to your kindness and generosity, many deserving families and their pets will have full bellies and more time for belly rubs this holiday season!
Finding Rover to Help Stray Pets and their Parents Reunite
Having a beloved pet go missing can be a terrifying experience for any pet parent. According to the American Humane Association, an estimated 10 million pets are lost every year, and 1 in 3 pets will become lost at some point during their life. At Kitsap Humane Society, 60% of dogs and 17% of cats that come to our shelter as strays are reclaimed by their owners. As a progressive animal welfare organization, we are always looking for new ways to increase the number of families that are kept together.
 
We are excited to partner with Petco Foundation to implement a fabulous new tool that helps families reunite with their missing pets called Finding Rover! Finding Rover is a free, nation-wide system that uses innovative facial recognition software to help reunite lost pets with their families.

With Finding Rover, pet parents and Good Samaritans can quickly and easily share photos of lost and found pets in their community via computer or mobile phone. Once at our shelter, all stray pets will be automatically listed on Finding Rover as “found” upon arrival. The facial recognition software then goes to work, notifying users of any potential matches. 
Keeping Your Pets Safe on these Cold December Nights
Curl up by the fire
Staying inside during cold weather is an important part of keeping your pet safe this winter. It’s a common belief that a pet’s fur coat makes them resistant to the cold weather, but this is not true. Just like us, our cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept inside. Keep your pet’s outside time short and supervised. Also, remember cars rapidly cool down in cold weather and can act as a refrigerator, posing a significant risk to your pet. Limit car travel to only that which is necessary, and don’t leave your pet unattended in the vehicle.

Walking in a winter wonderland?
Different pets have different needs when the cold weather hits. Things that impact an animal’s tolerance to cold are their age, health, coat, body fat stores, and activity level. Pay attention to your pet’s tolerance for cold and keep an eye out for signs that your pet is uncomfortable.
2021 KHS Calendars Available at the Shelter
Enter Our Happy Paw-lidays Photo Contest
Snap photos, spread cheer, and save lives this holiday season by entering Kitsap Humane Society’s Happy Pawlidays Pet Photo Contest! 

From December 14-25, you can submit a holiday-themed photo of your pet to be voted on by the community. While they are all winners to us, the photo with the most votes in each category wins a gift basket from Kitsap Humane Society! Photo submissions are $5 per entry, and you can enter as many photos as you’d like. Each vote is only $1, and all proceeds will go towards caring for the injured, sick, and abandoned animals in need.
Happy Holidays!
PetSmart Charities Supports Kitsap Humane Society’s Rescue Me Transfer Program
Kitsap Humane Society has been awarded an eighteen-month long, $85,000 grant from PetSmart Charities to support our Rescue Me program, which allows us to save the lives of pets from overcrowded shelters and rescues. The grant supports the transfer of 1,100 dogs and cats from nine Hawaiian shelters to KHS.

Funds from this grant will also provide our Hawaiian partners with compensation for the loss of resources and revenue that those animals would have provided had they been adopted at their own location.
With an adoption rate of 99 percent at KHS, the Rescue Me program continues to benefit both animals in need as well as our pet-loving community.
Adorable Adoptables
Meet Thomas!
Thomas is an 8-year-old tabby cat looking for a loving home. Are you looking for an outgoing, affectionate companion? Thomas is your guy!

Thomas has the best personality and loves everyone he meets. He will rub up against you for pets and he loves hopping into your lap for some snuggles. Thomas enjoys watching the birds out the window and playing with cat toys. He also does well with other cats.

When Thomas came to us, his upper lip was red and sore. Our vets diagnosed him with a condition called Indolent Ulcer, also known as rodent ulcer. This is a condition where a cat has allergies that are left untreated, resulting in inflammation of their upper lip. Our vet team got Thomas started on treatment right away and he is now feeling a lot better! Unfortunately, his lip will stay like this, but we think he looks pretty darn cute!
Our staff affectionately refer to him as "Ducky" because of his adorable little duck lip. This sweet, affectionate boy can't wait to find a family of his own! Learn more about Thomas on our website!
Volunteer Spotlight
Meet Sheryl Wilkin
Sheryl has been a kitten foster parent at KHS since the summer of 2020. Within that time, Sheryl has fostered 15 kittens! The foster department always loves working with Sheryl as her positivity is contagious, and she is diligent in each of her foster kittens’ care. We can always rest assured Sheryl’s foster kittens are well-fed, taken care of, and receiving plenty of snuggles!

"My favorite thing about Sheryl is her weekly updates on her current foster kittens. Sheryl’s descriptions are always so detailed and hilarious! The foster department jokes that it always sounds like a kitten party over at Sheryl’s house," shared Foster Care Coordinator Holly Faccenda.

Thank you for all of your hard work and positive vibes, Sheryl! The humans and the kittens in the foster department appreciate you.
Employee Spotlight
Chase Connolly
For Kitsap Humane Society’s Chief Animal Control Officer Chase Connolly, being a part of the lifesaving work done at KHS is more than just a job. It’s been a part of his life for more than two decades. As a child, Chase was a volunteer at the shelter thanks to prompting from his mother. Together, they would wash dogs who needed a little extra love. And 22 years later, Chase is still a part of KHS.

“For some reason, KHS has been a part of my life for many years. It has always been a familiar place for me. I was hired on in 2010, the same year my mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer. This place has been a sanctuary for me as much as it has been for our community's animals,” said Chase.

Today, Chase oversees Kitsap Animal Control where he ensures the passionate team protects our community and the animals within 24/7.

“My favorite part about working at KHS is being able to make a difference, whether it is small or large, in a community member or an animal’s life. I can see an animal in need and do something about it.”
“Chase is incredibly professional and dedicated when it comes to protecting the safety and welfare of pets and people in our community, while also approaching all aspects of his job with true compassion,” Chase’s supervisor shared. “Being an Animal Control Officer can be a stressful role, and it can even be dangerous at times. No matter what, Chase does a great job leading his team through any challenges they may face.”

Our shelter - and our community - is very lucky to have Chase as our Chief Animal Control Officer! Thank you, Chase!
Community Spotlight
Valley Nursery

Next time you drive up to KHS, you may notice new shrubbery, trees, and flowers transforming our Welcoming Courtyard, which was constructed and made possible in 2019 by a generous grant from the C. Keith Birkenfeld Memorial Trust. The recent addition of greenery is thanks to the generosity of Valley Nursery in Poulsbo and the hard work of dedicated KHS volunteers. Landscape designer Emily Russell drew up plans to feature plants that thrive in the Pacific Northwest climate and create a welcoming atmosphere for our visitors. 

Our community partner, Valley Nursery, supported KHS in this project by giving us an impressive 40 percent discount on plants to create an attractive backdrop to this beautiful outdoor space, inviting visitors to enjoy the spacious courtyard.    

The excitement on the KHS campus could be felt when the Valley Nursery delivery truck drove up the morning of Nov. 12, and staff began unloading plants, placing them around the campus according to the design. A group of volunteers, braving the November chill and the rain, worked diligently throughout the afternoon and the following morning to complete the planting of more than 330 shrubs, trees, and flowers! 
“KHS is incredibly grateful to Valley Nursery for their support and generous discount to help us landscape and beautify our courtyard,” KHS Director, Eric Stevens said. “KHS volunteers played an invaluable role in helping us get plants ready to flourish in the year ahead. KHS relies on the goodwill and donations of community members like Valley Nursery to meet our pet lifesaving mission. We greatly appreciate the pet-loving crew at Valley Nursery and our dedicated volunteers for their incredible support.”
Tax Benefits of Giving in 2020
Although COVID-19 has disrupted many aspects of our lives, our community’s desire to support organizations that matter to them has stayed strong. Kitsap Humane Society relies on contributions from individuals, families, local businesses, and more, and we are grateful for the generosity you and other KHS supporters have provided. 
 
There’s still time for you to make a gift before 2020 comes to a close. Here are some things for you to consider as you make your year-end giving plans.
 
You may be eligible to take a special deduction of up to $300 in annual contributions.

This new tax incentive for charitable giving in 2020 came in March with passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Please note: This “above the line” adjustment to income is only available to people who choose to take the standard deduction, rather than itemizing their deductions.
Mark Your Calendars for Bissell's Holiday Hope Adoption Event
BISSELL Pet Foundation (BPF) remains vigilant in its mission to find loving homes for shelter pets. This December, BPF is aiming to bring holiday hope to homeless pets across the country with its Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope event. BPF will support nearly 170 shelters by offering reduced-fee pet adoptions, including Kitsap Humane Society!

Wednesday, December 9 through Saturday, December 13, all adult cats (one year or older) will have an adoption fee of $25!
Many Thanks to Our Grand Shelter Sponsor:
Kitsap Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; Tax ID: 91-0728353