New Behavior & Training Center for Shelter Dogs Opens!
Providing training and behavior support to dogs at the shelter is essential to their well-being during their stay at Kitsap Humane Society, and contributes to successful adoptions. That's why we're THRILLED to announce the opening of our new behavior and training center for shelter dogs!

The Heidi Harnett-Wakefield Memorial Behavior and Training Center is named after a beloved volunteer leader at KHS who passed away in 2017. The center, which has two separate behavior and training rooms, an office, and an outdoor training space, is part of a $1 million renovation of a portion of the old shelter building.

With its proximity to the spacious and quiet dog kennels in the new Pet Adoption Center, the training center enables our training staff and volunteers to identify behavior issues and expand their work with every dog at the shelter, every day. This will result in dogs who are happier, less stressed, and better behaved, which in turn makes them more attractive to adopters and helps reduce their length of stay.

Our objective is to get them into loving homes as soon as possible, and training is critical to reaching that goal.

"Every dog needs some sort of support while they're here, " said Director of Animal Welfare Sarah Moody-Cook. "For some dogs, it will be a Kong filled with peanut butter and two walks a day, and for others it will be more extensive," such as training to prevent jumping on people or guarding their food. "When we can identify their challenges in the shelter environment, we can provide enrichment and tools to help them be successful in their new homes."
Thank you to everyone who participated in our 27th Annual PetsWALK, presented by Poulsbo Animal Clinic! Although we missed celebrating our love for animals with you in person, we had a BLAST connecting with you virtually. Thanks to your hard work and generosity, we raised a total of $20,724 for shelter pets in need. WOW!

The top fundraiser for this year's PetsWALK was return walker Linda Scibilia, who raised a record-breaking $4,563 and met her goal of walking 200 miles for shelter pets! Her dog Finn, by the way, was this year's spokespet for PetsWALK. As you can see in the photo at right, he's all tuckered out!
 
We're so grateful for the support we've received from our community. Funds raised from PetsWALK allow us to provide lifesaving services and shelter for sick, injured, and abandoned animals who need us. 

Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Poulsbo Animal Clinic. You can learn more about this dedicated KHS supporter in the video below!
 I ndependence Day is an annual day of celebration, cookouts, and – yep that’s right – fireworks! While these holiday traditions are loads of fun, the noise from fireworks are terrifying for 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 so many dogs 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!

Have a good time AND keep your pets safe with these helpful tips:

Before the 4th of July:  Make sure your pets are licensed, microchipped and wearing ID tags so they can be returned home safely if they panic, run and get lost. You can license your pets online at kitsap-humane.org.

Parties:  Whether you’re hosting a socially-distanced picnic and barbecue at your house or going elsewhere, it’s wise to keep your pets in a calm room with the door closed when guests are coming in and out. One loud “bang” could have your dog or cat escaping out the door and becoming lost.
 
Fireworks:  For sensitive pets, the fireworks noise on the 4th (and in some neighborhoods, well before then) cause extreme fear, trembling, vomiting, and running away. During home fireworks displays, animals are also at risk of burns or ingesting toxic materials.
Kitsap Wine Festival Canceled,
Animal Krackers Going Virtual!
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we've made the following decisions on our upcoming 2020 events:
 
Kitsap Wine Festival, originally scheduled for Aug. 8, 2020, is CANCELED until 2021. We look forward to seeing you next year!

Animal Krackers, originally scheduled for Sept. 26, 2020 - is going VIRTUAL on Oct. 16! Registration opens Aug. 17 for the week-long silent auction, followed by the live-streamed virtual gala on Friday, Oct.16!
 
The health and safety of our staff, volunteers, and community as a whole is our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and support. 
Adorable Adoptable
Meet Nova!
Adopt Nova! Nova is an adorable 3-year-old Pittie mix with the most striking brown brindle coat. Doesn’t Nova have the cutest face? Nova is always wearing a smile and happily greets everyone she meets. She loves to romp around and play in the yard, fetch a tennis ball, or roll over on her back and scratch it in the grass. Nova is a total cuddle bug and will snuggle up with you on the couch. She’ll even make her own little cozy nest in her blanket. She is an excellent house guest and is house trained and fine being left alone.

Nova would make the perfect addition to pretty much any home! Learn more about Nova and then email an adoption application to  adoptions@kitsap-humane.org   to schedule an appointment to meet her!
Volunteer Spotlight
Meet Anne!
Anne and her family started fostering for KHS in April of this year and have already fostered three dogs for us! Anne and her family have been such a wonderful addition to the foster team and always go above and beyond for the foster animals in their care.

Anne and her family recently fostered Matilda - or Silly Tilly as they called her! Matilda came into the shelter underweight and with large mammary masses. After the love, patience and care Anne and her family poured into Matilda, she came back to the shelter looking like a completely different dog.

The picture at right is of Anne and Matilda a few days before returning to the shelter from foster. Anne graduated from High School and Matilda from foster!

Thank you to Anne and her family for opening up your home and hearts to homeless pets in need!
Staff Spotlight
Meet Micah Friend
This month's Staff Spotlight is on Micah Friend! Micah has been a Lifesaving Assistant at Kitsap Humane Society since Sept. 2018, which means she helps with all aspects of our lifesaving work -- from adoptions, to animal care, to customer service, and beyond!

When asked about Micah, her supervisor said: “Micah is a total team player and is best known for her positive attitude, infectious laugh, and willingness to jump in and help wherever needed!” Micah has 3 pets of her own, all adopted from KHS, including two adorable cats and her Pittie/ Boxer mix named Nola.

When asked what she loves most about working at Kitsap Humane Society, Micah said: “Being around all the animals, and helping people find their perfect match and adopt their new best friend!”
Community Spotlight
Mud Bay
Kitsap Humane Society extends a special thank you to Mud Bay , our Gold Paw sponsor for Animal Krackers 2020!
 
Located in the Trails at Silverdale shopping center, Mud Bay's newest store is opening in the community on Sunday, July 5. Mud Bay is a locally owned and operated natural pet  retailer that has been helping Pacific Northwest pet owners choose natural food, treats, and supplies since 1988.

In July, Mud Bay Silverdale is hosting a donation drive for the KHS Pet Food Pantry, and for every customer pet food donation, Mud Bay will match it pound for pound! 

Stop in and meet their team or order online and use the curbside pickup services available at Mud Bay.
KHS Teams Up with PSE to Help Local Neighbors in Need
Kitsap Humane Society has a Pet Food Pantry to support people who need help feeding their animals in times of difficulty. We don't want anyone having to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pets. The Pet Food Pantry is open daily from noon to 4 p.m.

Our Powerful Partner, Puget Sound Energy, is also reaching out to help people in need during the pandemic, offering payment options for those worried about paying their energy bills and making sure no one is disconnected during this challenging time. Details can be found at pse.com/paymentoptions .

Want to support our Pet Food Pantry with
donations of pet food or supplies? Check out our Amazon Wish List below. You can also buy supplies from local merchants and drop them at the shelter. Thank you!
Many Thanks to Our Grand Shelter Sponsor:
Kitsap Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; Tax ID: 91-0728353