WHATCOM HUMANE SOCIETY ♦ NEW BUILDING PROJECT

Check out this short video about our need and plans to build a new shelter for the animals in our community.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CLOnW38Ydk

HISTORY
The Whatcom Humane Society has been providing care and comfort to homeless, unwanted and abused animals in Whatcom County since 1902. 110 years later, our non-profit organization continues our lifesaving work.

CURRENT SITUATION
The Whatcom Humane Society currently operates two animal shelters in Bellingham and a 10 acre horse/livestock facility in Everson. Our Williamson Way shelter is leased from the Port of Bellingham and is almost 40 years old. Our Baker Creek shelter is leased from Whatcom County and is located in a crowded business center.

Both facilities are tiny and cramped, with no ventilation, poor acoustics, crumbling walls, cracked floors, unsafe heating and electrical systems, lack of natural light and animal exercise areas that flood in the winter and are impossible to disinfect. In addition, both shelters were poorly designed for animals, staff, volunteers and visitors, thus hampering adoptions, customer service and safety. Crucial areas for veterinary care, animal adoption areas, storage, humane education and meeting spaces are virtually non-existent. Operating two stand-alone facilities is extremely costly and completely inefficient. The option to remodel or rebuild either facility is not realistic.

The reality is that the Whatcom Humane Society must move and consolidate our operations under one roof in order to continue to effectively operate and provide care and core services to the animals in our community. There simply is no other option.

WHO WE SERVE
Annually, over 5,000 animals come through the doors of the Whatcom Humane Society requiring some type of service from our agency.

As an open-admission shelter, the Whatcom Humane Society turns no animal away regardless of the animal’s age, breed, temperament, physical or medical condition or the space available in our kennels.
This past year, our ill-equipped facilities provided medical treatment, care, comfort and services to dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, rabbits, rodents, reptiles, exotic animals, horses, pigs, goats, chickens, sheep, cows and fish.

THE NEW FACILITY
Our new facility will be located on Division Street (off Hannegen Road) in Bellingham, on over 12 acres of land. Currently the site contains two large steel buildings with over 10,000 square feet of space. These buildings will be remodeled and expanded to initially provide over 19,000 square feet of space to provide services for the animals in our care as well as allow us to provide quality programs to the community for generations to come. The property has plenty of room to expand as needs arise.

Click Here To See A Map of Our New Shelter Location

Click Here to See Plans For our New Shelter

Our new shelter will provide a humane, stress-free home for thousands of animals and a spacious, friendly, inviting place for visitors. To respond to the unique physical and emotional needs of each animal species, special areas for cats, dogs, small animals, birds and exotic animals will be provided. Virtually all animals will have direct access to natural light and air. Special animal shelter specific technologies and materials will be used for acoustics, disease control, ventilation, energy-efficiency and long-term maintenance and upkeep.

Elsewhere in the shelter facility expanded veterinary/surgical areas will enhance available treatment options including an in-house x-ray area that will greatly improve our ability to diagnose injuries. Efficient and humane workplaces will support our staff and volunteers. Spacious outdoor exercise and trail areas will be constructed so our canine residents can receive the mental and physical stimulation they need. Cat kennels will provide additional space for cats to engage in their natural instinct to climb, hide and sun themselves. A cage-free “Cat Colony Room” will be provided for feline residents who enjoy the company of other cats.
A community outreach/humane education area will allow our staff and volunteers to expand critical education and social programs to children and adults throughout our community.

Construction at our new shelter site is moving forward. Designed by local architect Curt Carpenter in collaboration with UC Davis Koret School of Shelter Medicine & Design, the shelter’s construction will be managed by Myles Donnelly of The Franklin Corporation.

With continued donor support, we hope to fully fund construction costs and move into our new home by the middle of this year.

NAMING OPPORTUNITIES
The Whatcom Humane Society wishes to provide public recognition for persons, companies and organizations that generously assist with the construction of the new facility.
Current naming opportunities include:

To more information about a naming opportunity/gift, please contact Laura Clark at (360)733-2080, ext # 3026 or email director@whatcomhumane.org.