Comfort & Joy -- Meet a Few
of Our Wonderful Volunteers
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On a recent weekday before the shelter opened, volunteer Connie Babers (right), sat inside a kennel to visit a toothless little dog named Moose. As she cooed and cuddled, he relaxed and closed his eyes in happiness. After a bit, she visited another dog in need of companionship. It's the kind of tenderness shared with KHS shelter pets every day, thanks to our wonderful volunteers and foster parents.
We can't do our lifesaving work without them and are deeply grateful for all they do, from petting cats and walking dogs, to doing laundry and dishes, and helping with adoptions. With the holidays upon us and the New Year ahead, we hope you, too, will consider
volunteering
and
fostering,
if you aren't already!
"This feeds my soul, and I crave it as much as they do," said Babers. "I come in to give them attention and love, to make sure their beds are nice and cozy, and it's so fulfilling. I encourage you to try it. There are lots of things to be done here, and lots of ways
to
support the animals."
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Santa Paws Making Two More Visits to Kitsap!
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If you missed the first of three Kitsap Humane Society Santa Paws events this season, don't fret. The man in red is making two more visits to Kitsap!
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KHS Remembers Heidi Harnett-Wakefield
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Kitsap Humane Society has rededicated a bench in front of the new Pet Adoption Center in honor of the late
Heidi Harnett-Wakefield,
a beloved KHS volunteer and animal welfare advocate. The bench was refinished and installed by her husband, Scott Wakefield, and faces toward the future Behavior Training Center, named in her honor.
The plaque on her bench reads, “In Memory of Heidi Harnett-Wakefield for her tireless dedication to the welfare of all dogs.”
Heidi was a lead dog walker at KHS, but she was far more than that. Her dedication to the animals, willingness to go the extra mile, to be a voice for change, and willingness to be an integral part of any solution made her a role model and inspiration for many. Considered the godmother to dozens of shelter dogs, Heidi was a strong advocate for the animals. After she unexpectedly passed away two years ago, volunteers wanted to have a bench in her honor. Her dedication and hard work helped KHS save more lives, and her impact lives on in the hearts of other dedicated KHS staff and volunteers who had the pleasure of knowing her.
"This place is built on passion and dedication ... and Heidi was kind of a giant force in those qualities,”
said Executive Director Eric Stevens. “She was deeply respected and had such a positive impact on our organization. It is so important to me, and I know to others, that we always keep her memory, and her incredible legacy, in our minds and hearts."
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2020 KHS Calendars Available at the Shelter!
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2019 Giving Trees Help Shelter Pets
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Have you been touched by the spirit of generosity this holiday season?
If so, stop by and grab an ornament from one of our three Giving Tree locations and donate an item to a shelter pet in need!
Kitsap Humane Society in Silverdale,
Z Bones Pet Mercantile
on Bainbridge Island and
Mud Bay in Gig Harbor are participating in this year’s Giving Tree, from now until
Dec. 31. Each location will have a tree filled with ornaments for you to choose from that will name the items most needed to care for our animals. You can purchase items from your closest pet store and drop it back off at your desired Giving Tree Location. If you've selected an ornament from the KHS giving tree, please drop your gift in one of the donation bins in front of the KHS Pet Lifesaving Center. You can also order items from our
Online Wishlist (remember to use
Amazon Smile and choose Kitsap Humane Society as your charity when checking out) and have your gift delivered straight to the shelter!
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THANK YOU for helping Kitsap Humane Society raise
$45,000 to save and serve animals in need!! It’s generous and compassionate donors like
YOU who give abandoned and injured pets, like Princess Pea here, a second chance at life! Giving Tuesday gifts will help thousands of pets receive the housing, veterinary care, and tender love they need and deserve before being adopted into a home of their own. Thank you for all you do for animals throughout the year, and for your kindness and generosity in this season of giving. If you didn't make a gift during Giving Tuesday, you can give today. Thank you!
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Holiday Food Drive Update
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Kitsap Humane Society set a goal to feed people and pets in our community this holiday season, and
thanks to YOU it was a very successful!
In addition to restocking our own pet food pantry and also being able to share pet food with area food banks, we collected 250 pounds of people food!
This was our first community food drive and we're overjoyed and grateful for your participation.
More families and pets across Kitsap County will enjoy a holiday meal, thanks to your compassion and support!
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Adorable Adoptables
Meet our Princess Bella!
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This girl is the best of both worlds - active and playful, yet cuddly and sweet. She loves to run around after tennis balls and plush toys, and once she gets all her energy out with a fun game of fetch, she'll happily lean into you for snuggles. She loves butt rubs and will practically sit in your lap for more attention. Lap dogs come in all shapes and sizes! She's a big fan of tasty treats, and will happily sit for a snack. Princess Bella loves playing with other dogs, and often has play dates at the shelter.
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Volunteer Spotlight
Meet
Brenda Sheppard
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Brenda has been a KHS volunteer for eight months and has made such an impact since being here. Brenda dabbles in a little bit of everything including (but not limited to) cat socializing, dog walking, laundry and assisting in Veterinary Services. Most recently, she was promoted to feline assessor in the Cattery, greeting and assessing new cats that come into the Cattery. Brenda, thank you for your willingness to jump in and help when needed, and your desire to learn in order to help save more lives!
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Employee Spotlight
Kassie Olmsted
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This month’s spotlight is shining on Development and Marketing Associate and kitten foster mom, Kassie Olmsted! Kassie’s heart for shelter pets has led her on a rewarding career path in animal welfare at Kitsap Humane Society for the past nine years.
"She does it all and is an invaluable member of our development and marketing team," said Donor Relations Director, Tom Weed. "Whether it's tracking our philanthropy efforts, managing the donor database, overseeing the car donation program, assisting the marketing and events teams, or supporting KHS events, Kassie always goes above and beyond. I am so grateful for both her dedication to KHS and her partnership in our work."
Kassie’s dedication to animals in need extends beyond the office. She loves fostering kittens and says the most rewarding aspect of fostering “is helping them become social, loving kittens who learn to trust you and the world around them.”
“I’m so proud of the lifesaving work that KHS does every single day,” she said. “I’m so lucky that I’ve been able to be a part of this amazing
organization for almost a decade. There’s no
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better feeling than knowing the work you do is helping save animals’ lives.”
In her spare time, Kassie and her husband run Olmsted Tree Farms and donate several Christmas trees every year to Kitsap Humane Society’s auctions and events. They hosted Santa Paws this year and it was a rousing success! Thank you, Kassie for all you do for our shelter pets.
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Community Spotlight
We love Ted Sadtler and our friends at
Mattress Ranch! They're a community-minded, family-owned business that believes in giving back. Over the years, they’ve continuously supported Kitsap Humane Society’s mission, often promoting KHS fundraisers and events in their TV commercials each year. This year Mattress Ranch was one our generous sponsors for PetsWALK, the Kitsap Wine Festival, and Animal Krackers!
Mattress Ranch, thank you for having a heart for shelter pets and committing to helping us build a more humane community.
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Tax Benefits of Giving in 2019
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There’s still time in 2019 to support KHS’ pet lifesaving programs through your IRA or with appreciated stock! These are great ways to give rescued pets the love, happiness and lifesaving care they need and deserve, and receive tax savings, to boot!
The IRA Charitable Rollover
Here’s how giving from your IRA works:
- You must be 70 ½ or older.
- You can transfer up to a total of $100,000 per year, and a married couple may give up to $200,000.
- Your gift must be transferred directly from the IRA account to Kitsap Humane Society.
- The transfer of funds counts towards your annual Required Minimum Distribution from your IRA.
- You can transfer funds and support KHS without having to pay income tax on the money.
- Click here for a sample letter to provide to your IRA administrator.
Gifting Appreciated Stock
Gifting appreciated stock is another good option that helps KHS save more animals in need. Not only do you get the satisfaction of investing in top-quality animal welfare programs, you may receive tax savings at the same time! To qualify for these special tax advantages, the security must have been held for at least one year.
Interested or want more information? Please
email
Tom Weed, Director of Donor Relations or call him at
360-692-6977 ext. 1224.
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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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