SERVICES
The Whatcom Humane Society is an open-admission animal shelter providing care and services to domestic, farm and wild animals in Whatcom County including Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Sumas & Everson.SERVICES : WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU?
Animal Control and Rescue Services
We provide for all domestic & wild animals throughout Whatcom County.
Pet Licensing
Get your pet a new license or renew an existing one. Use our quick online form or download a form.
Low-Cost Microchip
We offer this lifesaving service for just $30 at our shelter facility. No appointment is necessary!
Surrender an Animal
As an open admission shelter we provide care for all animals in need, regardless of their age, breed or condition.
Pet Adoption
We have lots of great pets looking for permanent, loving, responsible homes. View them here!
Spay & Neuter
We offer a low-cost spay and neuter assistance program (SNAP) for eligible applicants.
Volunteer Programs
Become one of the dedicated volunteers who help us provide care for thousands of animals each year.
Humane Education
K-12 classroom presentations, fun service projects, summer camp, workshops & more!
LOST AND FOUND PET SERVICES:
I LOST A PET?
Due to the large volume of animals the Whatcom Humane Society receives each day, we cannot identify lost pets over the phone or by email. You must visit the shelter and look for your lost pet in person. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING! If your companion animal is lost, act quickly! Below is some information that we hope will help reunite you with your pet:
I FOUND A PET?
We would like to thank you for the concern and effort you have given this animal. Now we hope to reunite him/her with his/her rightful owner. Your responsible and caring actions are greatly appreciated by the Whatcom Humane Society. The following information is to advise you of WHS procedures regarding incoming stray animals.
Animal Control & Rescue
The Whatcom Humane Society Animal Control / Field Services Department is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Services include:
- Picking up stray, injured, aggressive, dangerous and dead animals.
- Transportation and impoundment of stray animals to the shelter for impound, or in cases of emergency, to a veterinarian for medical treatment (if WHS staff veterinarian is not available).
- Administration and enforcement of all animal related laws and ordinances for the Cities of Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Sumas, Everson and unincorporated Whatcom County.
- Investigation of cruelty and neglect complaints as authorized by State, City and County ordinances.
- Acting as a liaison for WHS at community events, pet licensing clinics and neighborhood meetings to educate and inform residents about animal welfare issues.
If you are aware of an animal being abused or neglected, please call our Animal Control Office at (360) 733-2080, ext #3017.
If you need assistance after our regular business hours and you have an animal related emergency, such as an animal running in traffic, an injured animal, an animal acting aggressively or you need to report an animal being harmed, please call 911. The 911 dispatcher on duty will contact a WHS animal control officer for further assistance.
Animal Control Emergency?
Online Licensing Form
You can license up to three pets using this form. Just click on the paw print to begin! --->>
If you have any questions regarding licensing, you no longer own your pet or they have passed away, please e-mail licensing@whatcomhumane.org or call (360) 733-2080 ext 3017.
Licensing for dogs (and sometimes cats) depends on where you live within Whatcom County. Dogs (4 months or older for certain cities and 7 months of older for Whatcom County) must be licensed within 30 days of being acquired or moving to Whatcom County or a $10 late fee will be applied. Annual license renewals must occur within 30 days of license expiration or a $10 late fee will be applied.
PLEASE NOTE: Effective January 1, 2012 the State of Washington requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated for rabies. The vaccination must be kept current. (WAC 246-100-197 (3))
Dogs in Bellingham, Blaine & Ferndale
Dogs over 4 months of age living in the city limits of Bellingham, Blaine and Ferndale are required to have a license. Before a license or renewal is issued for any dog, the owner must certify under penalty of perjury that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies. A certification of vaccination signed by an accredited veterinarian which shows that the vaccination does not expire prior to the expiration date of the license must be provided upon request.
Low-Income & Service Dog Waivers in Bellingham
If you live within the city limits of Bellingham and think you may qualify for a low-income or service dog license waiver, please e-mail licensing@whatcomhumane.org or call (360)733-2080 ext 3010. Low-income and service dogs are required to be licensed with a current rabies vaccination and licensing fees paid for the first year. These waivers only apply to one dog per household.
Licensing in Everson, Lynden, Nooksack & Sumas City Limits
Dogs residing within the city limits of the following cities and tribal areas are licensed separately. Dogs residing outside city limits and these tribal areas are licensed by Whatcom county. Please contact the appropriate office to license your dog:
- City of Everson – (360) 966-3411
- City of Lynden – (360) 354-2828
- City of Nooksack – (360) 966-2531
- City of Sumas – (360) 647-1980
- Lummi Nation – (360) 312-2000
- Nooksack Indian Tribe – (360) 592-9065
Cats in Ferndale
Cat licensing is only required in the city limits of Ferndale. Cats over 4 months of age living in the city limits of Ferndale are required to have a license. A microchip may be used in place of a license tag for Ferndale cats. The microchip number must be provided at the time of licensing. A certification of rabies vaccination signed by an accredited veterinarian which shows that the vaccination does not expire prior to the expiration date of the license must be provided upon request.
Dogs in Whatcom County
Dogs over 7 months of age living in unincorporated Whatcom County are required to have a license. While the rabies vaccine is required by law in Washington state, proof is not required for licensing purposes.
Kennel Licenses in Whatcom County
If you have five or more dogs and live in unincorporated Whatcom County, please e-mail licensing@whatcomhumane.org or call (360)733-2080 ext 3010.
Licensing Prices & Late Fees
- Unaltered Dogs - $41 per year
- Altered (spayed/neutered) Dogs - $11 per year
- Lost Tag Replacement - $2.00 – License tags do not need to be replaced every year.
- Late Fee (more than 30 days from when license is first required or expired) - $10
Offline Licensing Form
Download and Print this form. (One form per pet)
Make checks out to: Whatcom Humane Society
Mail form and payment to:
Whatcom Humane Society - Attention Licensing
2172 Division Street
Bellingham, WA 98226
How Much Does it Cost?
The annual license fee for sterilized cats or dogs is $11.
The annual license fee for each unsterilized male or female is $41.
HEALTH & VETERINARY SERVICES
Low-Cost Microchip
We offer this lifesaving service for just $30 at our shelter facility. No appointment is necessary!
The gate was left open...
Low Cost Microchip Clinic
Spay & Neuter
Whatcom Humane Society offers a low-cost spay and neuter program called SNAP for eligible applicants.
We need to get her fixed!
Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP)
Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Humane Society’s low-cost spay/neuter program (SNAP).
If you are interested in having your companion animal spayed or neutered, please fill out the SNAP application below and return to the shelter. Upon receipt of your completed application, a WHS staff member or volunteer will review the application to determine if you qualify for the SNAP program through WHS (note: state law requires that low-income guidelines are met). If you qualify, you will automatically be added to a call-back list and we will contact you to review your application, discuss payment options, and schedule an appointment for your animal.
NOTE: Due to reduced staffing levels and resources, we are booking appointments out 3-4 months depending on the animal’s breed, sex, and weight.
You can find a breakdown of associated fees here.
Completed SNAP applications can be emailed to: adoptions@whatcomhumane.org.
- Click here to download an application form for our spay/neuter program.
- Click Here to download Spay/Neuter Assistance Program Application For Lummi & Nooksack Tribal Members.
- Click here for information on Spay Neuter Northwest.
If you need help with feral cat TNR services, please contact Rescue Pet Vet at 360-899-8902.
Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Pet
There are many compelling reasons to spay or neuter your pet. Find out why spaying and neutering is good for you, your pet, and your community! Click here for more information.
End of Life Services
Our trained staff can provide a humane, dignified end to your pet’s life.
He is suffering...
Eligibility Criteria
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.
It is essential that you understand this information and that you understand that you are transferring ownership of this animal to WHS when you surrender him/her to the shelter. After you surrender your animal, 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.
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.
- 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 signs of extreme 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.
Adoption Duration
At WHS every effort is made to find loving homes for animals in our adoption program. Once an animal is placed into our adoption program there is no set holding period. Animals may remain available for adoption for a day, week, month, or longer. Animals available for adoptions may be euthanized if there is a decline in their health, temperament, or physical condition or 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. Please save your surrender paperwork to assist us in providing you with information.
Pet Personality Profiles
If you decide to surrender your pet to the Whatcom Humane Society, please complete the personality profile below and bring it with you to the shelter. Please leave your animal(s) in the car when you arrive. Once paperwork is complete, staff will ask you to bring them in. Our surrender fee is $50. If this fee is a hardship for you, please call customer service at (360) 733-2080 ext 3001.
Small Animal Personality Profile
If your dog has growled at, air snapped, or bitten a person or animal please complete these additional forms:
Our country as a whole, is suffering a tragic pet overpopulation problem, with 10 million animals being euthanized nationwide each year because new homes are not available.
Interesting in volunteering with the Whatcom Humane Society?
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Whatcom Humane Society Domestic Shelter! The volunteers at WHS are truly the heart the organization we would not be able to operate to our full extent without their dedicated service. We have many opportunities at all four of our facilities. Follow the steps below to find out where to start!
- Make sure you meet the volunteer requirements. To learn more about our volunteer requirements click the box that says “Volunteer Requirements” below.
- Sign up for a volunteer information session! Volunteer Information sessions are offered once a month at the Division Street Shelter and gives you information on the history of WHS, what we do, and how you can get involved. Please see below for upcoming Volunteer Information Session Dates:
- Fill out a volunteer application! Following your information session the volunteer manager will send you a link to fill out an application to become a volunteer at the Whatcom Humane society.
- Please Note: Due to the high demand of volunteer interest we do not put our volunteer application online. After you complete a volunteer orientation the volunteer manager will email you the application to complete.
- Complete required training! All volunteers are asked to complete 4 hours of laundry and housekeeping duties before they can work independently with the animals. This will allow them to get comfortable with the environment, the staff, and the other volunteers. Volunteers will also need to complete TLC training for the animals they wish to work with. The amount of training hours varies between the type of animals.
Questions? Please contact our volunteer manager, Auna, at volunteer@whatcomhumane.org or 360-733-2080 x3075
Needing to complete community service hours for school projects, court mandated, or other organizations? Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate volunteers looking to fulfill community service hours or students completing culminating projects.
Group Opportunities: To set up a group volunteer opportunity, please contact Auna at volunteer@whatcomhumane.org to learn about what opportunities are available.
Youth Opportunities: The Whatcom Humane Society requires all volunteers to be at least 16 years of age to volunteer. However, our education/outreach department offers many opportunities for youth to get involved. To learn more, please visit our “Education” page or email our humane educator at outreach@whatcomhumane.org
Volunteer Requirements
Potential volunteers must:
- Be 16+ years old.
- Meet the criteria, commitment, and scheduling availability for your chosen volunteer position.
- Have regular access to the internet and an active email account,
- Be willing & able to follow organizational policies for the safety and well-being of the animals and other people at all WHS locations.
- Meet the physical requirements of the position, often including the ability to squat, bend, twist, lift and stand for long periods of time.
- Be committed to treating animals and people with compassion and respect.
Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate volunteers looking to fulfill community service hours or students completing culminating projects.
If you are with a vocational or social services agency working with a client, please contact us at volunteer@whatcomhumane.org to learn about available opportunities.
Some Things To Expect
Keep in mind:
- If your application and availability match the shelter’s needs, you will be invited by email to attend an onsite orientation. We receive a high volume of applications, so please allow 1-2 weeks to receive this email.
- Attend an onsite orientation for introduction & tour.
- Complete the required hands-on training session(s) for the position that interests you.
- Become a valued member of our volunteer team!
If you have questions, please contact Auna, the WHS Volunteer Services Manager at volunteer@whatcomhumane.org
Volunteer Opportunities
We have opportunities for every talent and skill level, including (but not limited to):
- Animal Care Assistant
- Laundry Room Assistant
- Special Events/Fundraising
- Outreach & Humane Education
- Foster Care Provider – click here for more information!
- Farm Animal Friend
- Wildlife Care Assistant – Click here for details about the 2023 season!
- Thrift Shop
Please be sure to review all of the Volunteer Opportunities in detail before choosing a position.
Want to Volunteer With Your Group?
WHS loves to host group volunteer activities for school groups, corporate groups and clubs! To set up a group volunteer opportunity, contact us at volunteer@whatcomhumane.org,
Other Ways You Can Help
Too young to volunteer? Or perhaps you don’t have the time to commit to weekly visits? There are plenty of other ways you can help the animals! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Host a gift drive for the animals collecting collars, leashes, toys, etc. (see our wish list for ideas!)
- Host a food drive in your school, work place, church or neighborhood
- Host a movie night for friends and have the “admission fee” be a donation for WHS
- Bake dog treats and donate them to the shelter – OR have a doggie bake sale!
- Create cat toys for the shelter cats (Pinterest has great options!)
- Host a fundraiser (lemonade stand, bake sale, garage sale, etc) and donate the funds to WHS
- Sponsor an animal (click here for details)
- Be a kind consumer. Learn more about finding cruelty free products!
- Become a foster family. You have to be 18, but it’s a great family opportunity! At least one parent must join the volunteer team.
You can also reach out to the Whatcom Volunteer Center for information about other opportunities in the community. You will find them at www.whatcomvolunteer.org or 360-734-3055.
Now Accepting New Volunteers For:
Domestic Animal Shelter
Farm Facility
Thrift Shop
Foster Program
Wildlife Center