WHS - About Us

Whatcom Humane Society Statement of Principle:

The Whatcom Humane Society believes that all animals, as sentient beings, have value beyond economic measurements and are entitled to legal, moral, and ethical consideration and protection.

Vision:

All animals in our community are treated with kindness, respect, and compassion.

Mission:

The Whatcom Humane Society:

Advocates for animals;
Educates the community to promote humane treatment and respect for animals;
Provides for abandoned, injured, abused or neglected animals.

Targeted Results:

All domestic animals in Whatcom County have permanent, responsible, and loving homes. All animals, regardless of species, are treated with respect and compassion
WHS operates a state-of-the-art shelter facility and resource center
WHS is widely recognized and respected as a core service in the community
WHS educational programs promote responsible animal care and prevent abuse, neglect, and overpopulation.

Whatcom Humane Society History

The Whatcom Humane Society (WHS) has been caring for animals throughout Whatcom County since 1902.

As the oldest non-profit animal welfare organization in Whatcom County, WHS is committed to caring for any animal in need. As an open-admission shelter, the dedicated staff and volunteers at the Whatcom Humane Society cared for over 5,400 homeless, unwanted and abused animals in 2008.

The Whatcom Humane Society has a long-standing, positive working relationship with the City of Bellingham, having provided 24 hour animal control and rescue services since 1973.

In addition to providing these services for the City of Bellingham, WHS also has animal control contracts with the Cities of Blaine, Ferndale, Sumas and Everson/Nooksack.

BEGINNING DECEMBER 1, 2007, THE WHATCOM HUMANE SOCIETY WILL PROVIDE ANIMAL CONTROL AND RESCUE SERVICES TO ALL OF WHATCOM COUNTY( WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CITY OF LYNDEN). ANIMAL CONTROL / SHELTER SERVICES FOR WHATCOM COUNTY WILL BE CONDUCTED OUT OF A SECOND FACILITY LOCATED AT 1661 BAKER CREEK PLACE BAKER IN THE IRON GATE INDUSTRIAL PARK IN BELLINGHAM.

Whatcom Humane Society
Summary of Programs and Services

Founded in 1902, WHS is the oldest non-profit animal welfare organization in Whatcom County.
Open-admission shelter, the Whatcom Humane Society turns no animal away regardless of his/her age, temperament or medical condition.
Provides 24 hour animal control and rescue services Whatcom County.
Investigates cases of animal neglect & cruelty.
Interactive Adoption Program for homeless animals that includes counseling new adopters on responsible pet care and a variety of animal behavior issues.
Animal Wellness Program that provides health exam, spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, flea medication, de-worming, license or id tag and microchip identification prior to adoption.
Staff veterinarians provide in-house veterinary services for shelter animals five days a week.
Work with local wildlife rescue groups to pick-up and transport injured wildlife.
Implementation of Safe-Pet Program, providing short-term pet safekeeping for victims of domestic violence.
Extensive Humane Education programs in Whatcom County schools and libraries that educate children (K-12) on the importance of showing kindness and compassion towards animals.
Community Outreach programs including working with local media to showcase animals available for adoption, presence at local street fairs and festivals and networking with other area non-profits and businesses to foster good relations.
Low-cost pet vaccination), microchip and dog license clinics in low-income neighborhoods.
Creation of a Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) for low-income residents in need.
Production of PetWatch, the WHS weekly television show that features animals available for adoption, segments on relevant animal welfare issues and information for Whatcom County pet owners. The show airs 3 times a day on local Comcast stations.
Operates “Paws Awhile”, the WHS store located at 1200 - 10th Street in Historic Fairhaven that features new and quality used items donated by the community. The shop is staffed entirely by volunteers.
Pet Food Bank providing pet food to the pets of low-income residents in need. WHS supplies pet food to the Bellingham Food Bank, Blaine Food Bank, Lummi Indian Reservation Community Center, Bellingham Meals on Wheels and the Hope House.
Interactive website (www.whatcomhumane.org) where visitors can view animals available for adoption, download dog license applications, find information on off-leash dog areas in Bellingham and learn how to humanely deal with native wildlife. The website receives almost 9000 “hits” a day.
Working relationships with other animal welfare organizations including the Alternative Humane Society, King County Humane Society, PAWS, N.O.A.H. and Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue.
Foster program that houses animals with special needs and/or severe medical issues in volunteer homes for care and rehabilitation until animal is ready to return to the shelter.

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Board of Directors

Executive Director

Staff

Your browser does not support modern web standards implemented on our site Therefore the page you accessed might not appear as it should. See www.webstandards.org/upgrade for more information.

Board of Directors

Executive Director

Staff

Your browser does not support modern web standards implemented on our site
Therefore the page you accessed might not appear as it should.
See www.webstandards.org/upgrade for more information.