About Whatcom Humane Society

TARGETED RESULTS:
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.
Click here to view our most recent Audited Financial Statement.
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?
What do I do if I find a stray animal or see an animal in need?
How long are stray animals held at Whatcom Humane Society?
How long do animals stay up for adoption at Whatcom Humane Society?
What is the Whatcom Humane Society’s Animal Wellness Plan?
- 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?
What is euthanasia and how is it done?

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
Our Board
Monthly meetings of the WHS board of directors are held the 4th Thursday of each month.
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
ANIMAL TALES
Animal Tales is a regular column in the Bellingham Herald written by Whatcom Humane Society Executive Director, Laura Clark.
Can rabbits be housebroken and live indoors?
How to introduce a new cat to the household
How to choose the best dog or cat food
How to protect pets in hot weather
Transporting loose dogs in pickup beds is illegal, dangerous
How do I keep wildlife out of my yard?
How do I find a lost pet?
How to help an animal neglected in cold weather
How do I prepare my pets for moving?
How do I keep my pets calm, safe on Halloween?
How do I keep my cat from scratching the furniture?
What are the off-leash dog rules at public parks and in public?
What should I do if I see an injured deer or fawn?
Is marijuana toxic to pets?
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
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