Whatcom Humane Society

It is important to know that the Whatcom Humane Society (WHS) is an open-admission humane society, this means that we will accept ANY animal that comes into us. Because of this, our facility accepts an average of over 3,700 domestic animals each year, not including many farm animals that are also brought into our facilities. Sadly, there are not enough homes for all of these animals. Whatcom County, and our country as a whole, are still suffering a tragic pet overpopulation problem, with an average 1.5 million animals being euthanized annually nationwide because new homes are not available. At WHS our goal is to find a loving family for every animal but unfortunately there are simply more animals than there are people who want to adopt them.

These tips are intended to help reunite lost pets with their families:

• Visit www.findingrover.com or use the Finding Rover app to report the found the pet.
• Check with residents in the area the pet was found. Go door-to-door.
• Scan for microchip. Bring the found pet to Whatcom Humane Society or a local vet.
• Alert the microchip company that you have found a pet and leave your contact info.
• File a found report with the Whatcom Humane Society.
• Place found ads on Craigslist under “Lost+Found”,“Pets” or “Lost Pets of Whatcom County.”
• Create found pet flyers – post near the location the pet was found and high traffic areas.
• We urge anyone that comes across an unknown animal to use caution, if you do not feel safe, please contact your local animal control or police department immediately.

Thank you for helping reunite a family!

By law we are required to hold all impounded, stray animals at our shelter for a 72 hour (3-day) or a 120 hour (5-day) holding period in order to give the owner an opportunity to find them. We choose to hold all stray animals for the longer 120 hour (5-day) holding period, and this period does not include their day of arrival, Tuesdays or holidays when the shelter is closed. At the end of the stay holding period, our staff will examine and evaluate the animal to determine whether he/she can be placed into our adoption program. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to make him/her available for adoption as much will depend on his/her health, temperament/behavior, and availability of space in our adoption kennels. Even if he/she is made available for adoption, we cannot guarantee that someone will choose to adopt him/her, however there are no time-limits on the animals that are made available for adoption so long as the animals is happy, healthy, and there is space available to house them.

The following is a list of conditions under which an animal may not be placed for adoption:

• They are under 8 weeks of age.
• Their advanced age is causing extreme medical or physical problems or distress.
• They are in poor general health or physical condition.
• Their temperament or behavior is such that they are not safe around humans or other animals.
• They are showing extreme signs of stress due to being placed in a kennel environment.
• They show signs of contagious/communicable disease that could infect other animals.
• There is no space available in the adoption kennels.

Depending on the specifics of the animal’s condition and availability of space, some animals may be placed in foster care until they are old enough to be made available for adoption, held for treatment/observation before being evaluated for adoption, or transferred to other facilities for potential adoption placement.

At WHS every effort is made to find loving homes for the animals in our adoption program. Once an animal is placed into our adoption program, there is no time limit on the animal. Animals may remain in our adoption program for a day, week, month, or longer. However, animals available for adoption may be euthanized if there is a decline in their health, temperament, or physical condition or if space becomes limited and we need to make room for new incoming animals and there are no placement options with other rescue groups or facilities.

If you wish to inquire about this animal, you may do so by calling the shelter at (360) 733-2080 ext. 0. 

If you are interest in adopting this animal, we ask that you come to the shelter before the end of the stray holding period and complete an adoption application. Adoption policies apply, ask staff for details.