Working within the walls of Kitsap Humane Society, no day is ever the same as the one before. Sometimes, a line is wrapped around the adoption center for this week's cutest puppies. A group might be waiting outside the Veterinary Lifesaving Center for accessible vaccine options. A box of stray guinea pigs is perhaps found at the admissions building doors... you get the idea. But behind each unpredictable day is a team of staff and volunteers who are ready to face the challenges head on.

An animal's first encounter at the shelter typically happens in the admissions department, where new intakes are evaluated by the Community Resource and Behavior team. Among the vaccines and microchip scanners are bits of laughter and the snapping of photographs. "You're so cute, I'd sneak you in my pocket!" says Behavior Coordinator Kelsey as she gently pets a newly admitted puppy.

Just across campus, Chris can be found leading another all-staff Town Hall Meeting. His position may focus on behavior most days, but Chris recognizes the importance of professional development across all departments. His most recent presentation on creative bios and animal marketing strategies will be of great assistance to our pals in the adoption center, like Brooke and Kate. In addition to their animal care duties, these two take the time to get to know each of our animals, writing adorable descriptions and taking some of the cute photos that grace our 'available pets' page. (Oh, and remember the story of Chief and Peaches? Kate deserves another shoutout for that one.)

A sense of happiness overtakes those who enter the Foster Care Department where incredibly organized chaos ensues, led by manager Leora. Her small but mighty team of staff and foster parents take on immense challenges, with Vet Services presenting new challenges at any moment. From bottle babies and pregnant moms to animals who need a little extra care, you can feel the love for the animals the second you walk through the doors. Their work has been so inspiring, many of our staff and volunteers are now fosters themselves. I mean, who isn't immediately happy when holding a kitten?

From every corner of campus, magic happens. Your support ensures that people like Kelsey, Chris, Brooke, Kate and Leora - as well as the hundreds of other dedicated staff and volunteers at Kitsap Humane Society - can continue to do the little things that greatly impact our community. Everything we do is for the animals, always.

Join Us for the Best Doggone Event of the Summer!

It's time to register for PetsWALK - presented by Animal Emergency & Specialty Center! It's a summertime celebration for the whole family and great fun for you and your furry buddies. With a 5K walk/run and one-mile short course, tons of vendors and food trucks (applications are now open!), fun, games, and live music on the waterfront stage, you could even meet your new best friend among our adoptable animals!

Visit the PetsWALK website to register and to learn how you can help us meet our $40,000 fundraising goal in the run-up to race day (and win prizes!). Your generous support provides comfort and expert medical care to thousands of owned and shelter animals in Kitsap County so that each pet can be strong, healthy, and adopted into loving homes!

KHS Annual Meeting - April 24 at 6 p.m.

Kitsap Humane Society's supporters are spread across the country and around the globe ("Hola" to Dave and Kris in Barcelona!), so to give everyone an opportunity hear from us, we'll be holding our next Annual Meeting via Zoom on April 24, 2025 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Join us and you'll hear all about our 2024 accomplishments, find out what we’re working on now, and what’s yet to come. Don’t miss your chance to learn more about how we’re building an even bigger community safety net for pets and their people in Kitsap County and beyond!

And 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.

Please watch our calendar for more information and the Zoom link, which will be posted on the morning of April 24. See you there!

March Adoptions

Another month, another group of furry, scaly, and fuzzy pals are off to their new homes! In March, with the help of wonderful staff and volunteers, 174 pets found loving homes including 64 cats, 37 dogs, 24 kittens, 42 puppies, 2 fowl, and 5 guinea pigs! Even our friend Jodi (left) found his pawfect 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 Tail for a chance to have them featured across our social media platforms!

"We Stitch Your Ideas!"

Meet our April #PuppuccinoPals sponsor! Unique Experience is a locally owned and family-operated company and has been in business for over 22 years. Unique Experience is your one-stop shop that provides custom printed and embroidered shirts, logo work shirt and cap embroidery, and screen printing. With hundreds of shirt styles, caps, hats, jackets, sweatshirts, pants, and uniforms available, Ron and his team are sure to fulfill your creative needs.

Unique Experience is located in the Charleston District in Bremerton. We highly encourage you to check out their website for more information on their printing and embroidery services. Thank you for sponsoring the pups!

Visit our website to learn more about becoming next month's sponsor!

Kitsap Humane Society’s Access to Veterinary Care (AVC) program meets urgent community demand for accessible, reduced-cost veterinary care for households experiencing financial or other struggles that threaten their ability to keep and care for their pet. This program, offered through our Community Clinic, keeps families together, reduces pet surrenders, and increases pet and household health. Contributions and grant funding provide important support for our AVC Program that helps underwrite the cost of our deeply discounted veterinary services, especially in emergency situations when a pet’s life is at stake. 

KHS is honored to recognize Tulalip Tribes Charitable Contributions for their support of our AVC program in both 2024 and 2025. Since 1993, Tulalip has donated over $76.7 million to more than 300 charitable organizations through their annual grant program. Tulalip Tribes Charitable Contributions is committed to improving arts and culture, education and youth, the environment, health care, public safety and social services in their communities - in Snohomish County and beyond. 

Thank you, Tulalip Tribes Charitable Contributions program, for supporting KHS and our AVC program as we expand access to veterinary care for households experiencing financial or other struggles.

She's exceptionally sweet and beautiful!

This is Farrah Fawcett, a 2-year-old Terrier ready to join your home! She is an intelligent girly who knows how to “sit” and is actively perfecting her “lay down.” Ms. Fawcett is looking for a pawrent who is committed to her continued training and taking her on the adventures she craves! Farrah is dog social, super playful with tons of energy, and has endless love to spare. If you have a lovely home for Farrah to bless with her presence, then come on in and get to know her today!

Get On Board!

Kitsap Humane Society is more than a shelter. We’re a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare and a vital safety net for our community. And you can be a part of it.

KHS is now accepting applications to join our Board of Directors. As a Board Member, you’ll be a volunteer leader of one of the nation’s truly outstanding nonprofit organizations, helping us shape our future, improve the lives of the animals we love so much, and keep families together.

To apply, click the button below, download and complete a simple application, and email it to jnocula@kitsap-humane.org. 

We'd love to have you on Board!