What a Community!

At Kitsap Humane Society, we’re enormously proud to serve our community. It’s often a tough job, mentally and physically taxing, but it’s also a rewarding job. And the week of St. Patrick’s Day 2026 will go down as one of the most rewarding ever – thanks to our extraordinary community.

While we can’t tell you the whole story just yet – as there’s an ongoing investigation – we can say that 57 animals were rescued by our staff from a very sad situation over the course of a day-long operation in unincorporated Kitsap County. We can also say that the community response was amazing.

The very next day – while we were still in the process of finishing medical evaluations of all the animals – donations began arriving, volunteers were signing up, and foster families were opening their homes. All told, more than 200 new people jumped in to help and over 600 people from across the country heard the story and made donations. And then there was the pet food. Lots and lots of pet food.

At one point, there was a FedEx truck and two Amazon trucks unloading donated puppy food and the drivers were having a contest over whose truck was delivering the most. Supporters were filling their trucks and trunks with cans and bags. People were traveling from as far away as Snohomish to bring supplies. Our Pet Food Pantry, meeting rooms, and hallways were packed.

Meanwhile, volunteers and staff were unpacking and stacking the donations wherever there was still room. Peninsula Pet Lodge graciously provided temporary housing for several dogs. Our own Dr. Bri assessed every last animal. Dogs were bathed and fed and walked. And Kelsey and Shayla, who run our Volunteer department, made the lone rescued pig a salad fit for the queen she is.

It was an exhausting endeavor (which is still continuing), but it was also wonderful and humbling to feel the love and support of the community we serve. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this effort.

We’ll continue to make you proud of us.

Veterinary Telemedicine Bill Signed into Law

We’ve long said that Kitsap Humane Society is more than a shelter and we prove that day after day in our support of the pets and people of Kitsap. Our advocacy for animal welfare extends far beyond Kitsap, however, and this week we were proud to be part of H.B. 2247 being signed into law.

H.B. 2247 – sponsored by Washington State Reps. Lisa Parshley and Debra Lekanoff and effective July 1, 2027 – permits veterinarians to use telemedicine technology to deliver safe, effective, and convenient veterinary appointments for new and existing patients. It will be especially beneficial for pet owners with disabilities, those who live in remote areas, and those who lack transportation.

Kitsap Humane Society co-Executive Director, Dr. Jen Stonequist (who testified twice in support of the bill), and KHS Board Member and head of our Advocacy Committee, Ann Simons, were two of the driving forces in getting 2247 passed in Olympia last month and also led a letter writing campaign to ensure it didn’t get stuck in committee.

“Last year alone, our clinic here in Kitsap provided over 2,500 appointments to families in need,” said Dr. Jen. “Even so, we are turning away dozens of families every week, despite often double and triple booking appointments. Because telemedicine wasn’t an option, we couldn’t even prescribe temporary medications to help pets’ pain and infection until they could be seen. The passage of this bill is a game-changer and in countless situations, it could literally be a life-saver.”



This isn’t the first time KHS has led the charge in changing laws to benefit animals. In 2019, Dr. Jen also testified in support of the passage of H.B. 5004, which allowed humane societies to perform low-cost surgeries and provide other care to animals in need – which led to the opening of the Russ and Linda Young Veterinary Lifesaving Center in late 2023.

Vaccine & Microchip Clinic

Russ and Linda Young 
Veterinary Lifesaving Center 

Thursday, April 16

9 to 11 a.m.

First-come, first-served. No appointment needed.

Kitsap Humane Society is fortunate to have so many supporters – individuals and organizations – that help us do the important work we do. From the partnerships and donors that allow us to provide free pet food to families who need it, to the local businesses that hold fundraisers and adoption events, to the grantees who recognize and reward our efforts, the support of each of them confirms that we’re making a difference.

Among our greatest partners is Petco Love, a national nonprofit that has invested nearly $433 million in animal welfare since its founding in 1999 for adoption and other lifesaving efforts. One of the many ways Petco Love helps KHS is through a grant that provides free FVRCP and DA2P vaccines administered during surgical appointments, TNR, and special events. During one such event – Project Connect in Bremerton – KHS vaccinated dozens of animals whose families couldn’t afford such care, all thanks to Petco Love.



Another way they’re helping families is through their website, Petco Love Lost. Through this project, people are able to tap into a national database – zeroing in on their particular area – to find or post lost pets. This free searchable database of lost and found pets is the largest in the nation, with more than 200,000 animals. To learn more about Petco Love Lost or to register, just click the logo below.

Adorable Adoptables! Meet Them Now!

Who's a Good Girl? Kadie!

This isn’t Kadie’s first round at Kitsap Humane Society. She originally came to us in 2022 and was adopted by a service member in Bremerton. Sadly, Kadie’s person was called to duty and had to surrender her to KHS in February.

Since then, she’s been enjoying life with a foster family, but what she’d really like is somewhere permanent to call home.

This sweet pup is a seven-year-old gentle soul who thrives on connection with her people. She loves peaceful outdoor time and would like to be the center of attention, without competition from other dogs. Oh… and she loves, loves, loves cheese (but then, who doesn’t?).

If you’d like to be Kadie’s new walking partner and best friend, click below.

My Oh My... It's Mei Mei!

This 11-year-old senior cat treats laps like reserved seating and leans in for forehead kisses like it's part of the routine. When she's really happy, she lets it show in the sweetest ways (yes, there may be a little drool involved). And she has with a soft, gentle energy that comes with knowing exactly how she wants to spend her days

Mei Mei would best enjoy a home that has a cozy lap and a quiet rhythm she can settle into, enjoys slow, affectionate moments and a cat who soaks them up completely, and wants to give a sweet senior girl the perfect place to land and be loved.

March Adoptions

The only thing we love more than animals is watching their tails wag as they head to a new home. In March, 161 animals were adopted, including 68 cats, 45 dogs, 25 puppies, 18 kittens, 3 rabbits, a chicken, and a bearded dragon named Kevin. Each adoption represents a life changed and a home made brighter. Especially Kevin's.

Now we’d love to hear from you! How is your KHS alum thriving at home? Share your pet’s Happy Tails with us for a chance to be featured on our social media and help us celebrate the joy your animal brings every day.

Animal Control Completes the Academy

Kitsap Humane Society’s newest Animal Control Officers recently completed the Animal Control Officer Academy to further their knowledge of animals control issues facing Kitsap County and beyond. The intensive 80-hour course was held March 16-27 at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) in Burien, Wash., and was specifically designed for Animal Control professionals.

Among the topics covered were:

• Animal control and care, including capture and restraint, wildlife handling, animal laws, animal diseases and first aid, and blood sports;
• Traditional Law Enforcement, including courtroom procedures, ethics, crisis intervention, criminal law, and search and seizure;
• Animal identification and animal control codes in Washington state;
• Animal hoarding, cruelty investigations, body scoring and vet testimony, search warrants, crime scene photography, and evidence collection.

“This was a fantastic opportunity for our officers to brush up on their knowledge and compare notes with other professionals from throughout Washington,” said KHS Animal Control Chief Noah Cherry. “The training was enormously beneficial and we were delighted that one of our officers – Officer Aliyah – finished in the top three of the class.”

Congratulations Aliyah!

Learn from the Experts

The time to start planning for tomorrow is now! That’s why Kitsap Humane Society has partnered with our friends from the Latitude 48 Group (a division of Ameriprise Financial Services) to conduct a FREE investment seminar to help you secure your financial future.

Join us on Tuesday, April 28 at 5 p.m. and learn from investment strategy expert Damon Novelli, Executive Director of Eaton Vance. You’ll learn all about:



• Strategies to protect your wealth and secure your legacy;
• Tax-saving tips to maximize your estate’s value;
• Comprehensive planning options to ensure your wishes are followed; and
• How to support causes you care about.

To be a part of this free seminar, email jnocula@kitsap-humane.org to RSVP.

Join Us for Our Annual Meeting

2025 was quite a year and we’re excited to share news about how we did and where the future will lead us!

Join us for Kitsap Humane Society’s 2026 Annual Meeting – Thursday, April 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. – where you’ll hear about our 2025 accomplishments, find out what we’re working on now, and what’s yet to come. You’ll learn about new projects, programs, and partnerships and what we’ve done and are doing to build an even better community safety net for pets and their people in Kitsap County.

And because our supporters are across the country and around the globe, we’ll be holding the meeting via Zoom. To join us, simply visit our website calendar page on April 23 to get the link.

In the meantime, if you have a question to pose to our Board or Senior Management, please submit it in writing to Communications Director Mike Bush at mbush@kitsap-humane.org and we’ll answer as many as time allows.