About 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

  • Advocate for animals
  • Educate the community to promote humane treatment and respect for animals
  • Provide 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.

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 animal shelter, WHS turns no animal away, regardless of the animals age, breed, temperament, physical or medical condition.

Our dedicated staff and volunteers care for approximately 4,500 domestic, wild and farm animals annually. We currently operate 3 shelter facilities – a domestic animal shelter, a wildlife rehabilitation center and a farm facility.

In addition, WHS provides 24 hour a day animal control & rescue services for the majority of Whatcom County including the Cities of Bellingham, Ferndale, Blaine, Sumas, Everson, unincorporated Whatcom County and has relationships with both the Lummi & Nooksack Indian Reservations.

Number of animals brought to our domestic animal shelter in 2022

Number of hours in a day that Animal control officers are available for your calls.

Injured trumpeter swans were brought into the WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center last year.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is an Open-Admission Shelter?

The Whatcom Humane Society has always been and will always remain, an open-admission shelter. This means that we accept any animal in need regardless of the animals’ age, temperament, breed, medical conditions, physical conditions or the amount of space available in our shelter facilities.

Is WHS a “no-kill” shelter?
No! The Whatcom Humane Society is not a “no-kill” or limited admission shelter. We are an open-admission shelter, taking in all animals in need. In order to operate a “no-kill” facility, an organization must limit the number of animals it receives to those it has the resources to care for and the room to house at any given time. In a world where there are many more animals in need of homes than there are homes available, a “no-kill” or “limited admission” shelter can only maintain that status by turning some animals away. Those denied admission must be taken elsewhere to be adopted or euthanized. While “no-kill” shelters help some of the animals in a community, they cannot meet the needs of many of the stray or at-risk animals that are served by an “open-admission” facility like the Whatcom Humane Society. “No-kill” or “limited admission” facilities can only function well in communities that have an open admission shelter.
What do I do if I find a stray animal or see an animal in need?
If you find a stray animal or see an animal in need, please contact our animal control & rescue department at (360) 733-2080, extension # 3017 for assistance.
How long are stray animals held at Whatcom Humane Society?
Stray animals that are picked up or brought to the shelter without identification are held for a minimum of 3 – 5 days, not counting the day they came into the shelter or Tuesday and holidays. Those animals that come into the shelter wearing identification are held a minimum of 10 days. When stray animals are admitted, we make every attempt to locate their owner(s).If the animal is not claimed by the end of the stray holding period, he/she becomes the property of WHS and is carefully evaluated to determine whether he/she will be made available for adoption or euthanized. Factors taken into consideration upon making this decision often include the animal’s age, health, temperament and physical condition, as well as the amount of space available at the shelter.
How long do animals stay up for adoption at Whatcom Humane Society?
WHS has no set time that an animal stays at the shelter. Each animal is treated as an individual and evaluated on an individual basis. We will hold an animal as long as necessary providing there are resources available and the animal is physically and psychologically healthy. WHS has a large network of “foster homes” that animals are placed into for various reasons including age, health and space available at the shelter.
What is the Whatcom Humane Society’s Animal Wellness Plan?
The Whatcom Humane Society heightened its commitment to caring for animals by incorporating a comprehensive Animal Wellness Plan which includes:

  • Full time veterinarian provides in-house veterinary services for shelter animals five days a week.
  • Each animal receives a thorough physical examination by a trained animal care technician. The animal is given a “report card” that is monitored twice daily. The “report card” allows WHS staff and volunteers to observe the animal’s appetite, energy level, stool, general health and other daily activities, thus making it easier to notice changes in the animal that need to be further evaluated.
  • When necessary, each animal has a medical treatment plan prescribed by the veterinarian.

Several veterinary hospitals are now offering a free one-time basic exam with each WHS adoption. New adopters present the veterinary hospital with a copy of the animal’s WHS medical card at their initial appointment. This partnership benefits everyone as the participating veterinary hospitals increase their client base while WHS is assured that adopters are getting started on the “right paw” by taking their new companion animal to the vet.

How is it decided which animals will be up for adoption and which will be euthanized?
After the initial holding period, most animals that are relatively healthy and temperamentally sound will be made available for adoption. Those animals that would not qualify for adoption are those with aggressive behavior or those whose physical state involves pain or ongoing suffering. WHS works with rescue groups and with other shelters to place animals in appropriate homes.
What is euthanasia and how is it done?
Euthanasia is the act of facilitating a good death. Dogs are euthanized by an intravenous injection of an overdose of sodium pentobarbital. In approximately eight seconds the dog is rendered unconscious and the entire system shuts down within a few minutes. Cats are euthanized by an intraperitoneal injection. While this process takes longer, it is less stressful than an intravenous injection for cats. The euthanasia process requires a trained and certified technician. The procedure is a quick and painless one.

What do you want to know about the shelter?

OUR PEOPLE

Here are the great people who work hard behind the scenes at Whatcom Humane Society.

Our Staff

Administration

Executive Director,

Laura Clark

Administration
Andrea Merrill
Jeff Kent

Finance/Accounting
Dana Berger

Special Events
Dana Browne, Manager

Humane Education
Alaina Rhodes
 

Volunteer & Outreach Services
Auna Carter, Manager

Animal Care & Shelter Services

Nathan Flowers, Shelter Services Supervisor
Amy Wilkinson, Behavior & Enrichment Specialist, Lead
Gabby Whitehall, Lead
Hayley Vanderveen, Lead
Tina Claussen, Foster Coordinator
Mark Henry, Working Cat Coordinator
Zoe Bartsch
Kaitlyn Heibel
Allison Lukas
Summer Daniels
Lauren Evans
Kelsey Girvin
Ben Hayes
Robert Paris
Leila Parnell
Chandler Privitt
Skylor Tuor
Gwen Stone

Wildlife Rehabilitation Services

Alysha Evans, Manager, Permitted Wildlife Rehabilitator, L.V.T.
Anna Szabo, lead wildlife care tech
Annie Muller, wildlife care tech
Renata Luders, wildlife care tech
Marissa Oesterling, wildlife care tech
Ashley Austin, wildlife care tech
Rachel Costello, volunteer/intern coordinator and wildlife care tech

Animal Control & Rescue / Field Services

Paul Evans, Manager
Kyle Berger, Acting Manager
Henry Miller, Dispatcher
James Parr, Dispatcher
Carrie Anderson
Lauren Hippensteil
Shelby Myhre
Madelynn Robison, (animal control officer in training) *
* pending judicial authorization per RCW 16.52.025

Thrift Shop
Michelle Fleet, Manager
Jo Williams
Veterinary Services
Karen Rounds, DVM
Sarah Hansen

Our Board

Monthly meetings of the WHS board of directors are held the 4th Thursday of each month.

Board Members
Janet Hofmann, President
Kim Rice, Vice President
Victoria Savage, Treasurer
Michael Berres
Dan Claffey
Deborah Dial-Monroe
Scott Rice
Jane Talbot
Kevin Williamson
Stephen Zylstra
How to Contact the Board
To contact the board, please write
c/o: Whatcom Humane Society Board of Directors
2172 Division Street
Bellingham, WA 98226

For additional information, please email director@whatcomhumane.org.

Department Directory

Main Phone:  (360) 733-2080

Laura Clark, Executive Director
director@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3026

Animal Control & Rescue
animalcontrol@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3017

Shelter Operations
operations@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3024

Adoptions/Customer Service
adoptions@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3001

Licensing
licensing@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3017

Volunteer & Outreach Services
volunteer@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3075

Humane Education
outreach@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3116

Special Events/Fundraising
events@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3014

Donations
admin@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3002

Finance
finance@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3021

Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
wildlife@whatcomhumane.org / (360) 966-8845

Farm Facility
farm@whatcomhumane.org

It’s a labor of love.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Job Opportunities at WHS

The Whatcom Humane Society seeks individuals highly motivated toward the welfare of ALL animals.

We do not currently have any openings.  Please check back!

Want to VOLUNTEER?

If you LOVE animals, you will LOVE volunteering for Whatcom Humane Society.

A Day in the Life at the Whatcom Humane Society.

Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of our domestic animal shelter, wildlife rehabilitation center and farm facility is really like?  Check out this fun, festive music slideshow featuring our staff, volunteers and some paw-some animals and see for yourself!

NEWS & MEDIA

Putts Fore Pets

Putts Fore Pets will happen on Thursday, July 27th 2023!

2023 WHS Gala and Auction

Tickets now available for our 2023 Gala and Auction!

Summer Critter Camp

Three Summer Critter Camps session now available!

Pet Chickens 101 Workshop

Learn all about having chickens at our Pets Chickens 101 workshop, hosted by Dalia Monterroso, President of Chickenlandia and author of "Let's All Keep Chickens! The Down-to-Earth Guide to Natural Practices for Healthier Birds and a Happier World". This event is free...

Third Annual Birdhouse Auction

Join us for our third annual virtual birdhouse auction! We are excited for the opportunity to come together with you all virtually to raise money for domestic, wild and farm animals in our shelters and community. In addition to the birdhouses that are made and...
PAWPRINT NEWSLETTER

Published quarterly, our PawPrint Newsletter is a great way to keep up-to-date with the work we are doing for abandoned, injured and abused wild & domestic animals throughout our community.

 

  Winter 2020 Winter 2019
Summer 2021 Spring 2020 Spring 2019
    Summer 2019
    Fall 2019
WILDLIFE ARTICLES
Questions about feeding native wildlife?  Read the latest article from our Wildlife Rehabilitation Center to get all the info you need to what is best for the wild animals in your area.

Featured Pet

Address & Hours

Address:  2172 Division Street, Bellingham, WA  98226
Phone:  (360) 733-2080
Fax:  (360) 733-4746

 

Shelter Services/Front Office
Open Tuesday thru Saturday 11am – 6pm

Animal Adoption Services and Kennel Viewing
Tuesday thru Saturday noon – 5pm
(Dog adoption introductions by appointment only)

Closed To The Public
Sundays, Mondays, & Major Holidays

Animal Control & Rescue
Sunday – Tuesday 9am – 5pm
Wednesday – Saturday 10am – 6pm
Holiday / After-hours – Emergencies Only

Farm Facility:  By Appointment Only

Wildlife Rehabilitation Center:
9:00 am-5:00 pm
(360) 966-8845 – please call, not open to the public

WHS Thrift Store Address & Hours

Address: 4151 Meridian St #110, Bellingham, WA 98226
Phone:  (360) 543-6792

Store Hours: Friday & Saturday 9am - 5pm; Sunday 11am - 3pm

Donations Accepted: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays ONLY between the hours of 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.  

Department Directory

Main Phone:  (360) 733-2080

Laura Clark, Executive Director
director@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3026

Animal Control & Rescue
animalcontrol@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3017

Shelter Operations
operations@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3024

Adoptions/Customer Service
adoptions@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3001

Licensing
licensing@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3010

Volunteer & Outreach Services
volunteer@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3075

Humane Education
outreach@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3116

Special Events/Fundraising
events@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3014

Donations
administration@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3002

Finance
finance@whatcomhumane.org / ext #3021

Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
wildlife@whatcomhumane.org / (360) 966-8845

Farm Facility
farm@whatcomhumane.org