This year, we were able to provide lifesaving care to thousands of animals in our community thanks to supporters like you. Through our Giving Tuesday campaign, we shared the magic that happens within our shelter. Saving a litter of puppies from Parvo and kittens found as strays. Giving hope to community cats. And just this week, saving the life of a beloved pet. The love does not stop there. You went above and beyond, bidding and buying goods and services to raise more funds towards our mission. We continue to be amazed by our community's willingness to help our furry friends. Overall, Giving Tuesday and our Holiday Auction raised over $42,000.

Happy Holidays from the KHS team, and thank you for supporting us as we enter another year of bringing hope to families in Kitsap. Your donations are the gift that keeps on giving.

Keep Your Pets Safe This Winter

Chilly season is right around the corner, with the official first day of winter sneaking up on us at the end of the month. With colder weather on the horizon, we’ve complied a list of pet safety tips to keep your furry friends safe and warm:

Keep them inside!

Even with a “fur coat,” cats and dogs are still susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should only be outside for short, supervised periods of time. Limit travel with your pet to only when necessary and never leave your pet alone in your vehicle.

Know your pet’s tolerance!

Older animals, young puppies and kittens, or those with health conditions may have a harder time regulating their body temperature, leaving them more prone to weather-related illness. Pets with smaller bodies and shorter coats may get cold quicker than those with long hair. Keep an eye on elderly and arthritic pets when walking as they may be more prone to slipping and falling.

Check up after outside time!

Check your pets' paws frequently for signs of cold-weather injury or damage, such as cracked paw pads or bleeding. During walks, your dog’s feet, legs and belly may pick up deicers, antifreeze, or other common winter chemicals. These can be poisonous and should be kept out of reach of pets at all times. Wipe down or wash your pet’s feet, legs, and belly to remove these chemicals and reduce the risk of poisoning if your dog licks or grooms itself.

Look out for community cats!

A warm vehicle engine can seem like a good heat source to outdoor or feral cats, but it can be deadly! Cats who hide up in cars for warmth can suffer from severe burns, loss of limbs, and even death if the engine is started. Before starting your engine, make sure to check underneath your car, bang on the hood, and honk the horn - encouraging any hiding cat to leave their spot. Taking a few minutes to do this could save a life!

Feral and outdoor cats will be on the lookout for safe, warm shelter during cold weather and winter storms. You can help outdoor cats be safe and healthy by offering shelter that is well-insulated, has minimal air space, and is waterproof. Check out this DIY guide for temporary shelters, here!

Be prepared for severe weather!

Cold weather also brings the risks of extreme weather, meaning potential power outages. Prepare a disaster/emergency kit, and include your pet in your plans. Have enough food, water, and medicine on hand to get through at least five days.

Found an Animal?

KHS is asking those who find a healthy and friendly stray dog or cat to hold onto them and follow the KHS recommendations in reuniting them with their person rather than bringing them to the shelter. If an animal needs medical attention, please bring to KHS from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week or find your area's emergency clinic.

Seasons change and holidays come and go, but the one thing you can always count on here at Kitsap Humane Society is the utter joy felt shelter-wide when we see our animals adopted into loving homes.

With the help of our adoptions, foster, animal care, behavior, and veterinary teams, as well as those who advocate and care for them, 322 pets found loving homes including 98 cats, 45 dogs, 4 guinea pigs, 149 kittens, 23 puppies, 2 rabbits, and 1 peacock in November, including Klaus!

It truly takes a village to create wonderful endings for so many pets in need, which is why we are so grateful for each and every person involved, from the staff and volunteers who care for them, to those who donate to their care, and finally to our adopters who choose to open their hearts and homes.

If you've recently adopted a new family member from KHS, we'd love to hear more! Submit your KHS alum's Happy Tail for a chance to have them featured across our social media platforms!

Are you passionate about animals and want to find another way to support KHS' mission? Here are a couple ideas to kickstart your own fundraiser for shelter pets:

Start a Facebook fundraiser! Encourage your friends and family to donate to benefit the animals at Kitsap Humane Society.

Organize a garage sale, bake sale, car wash or other event and display signs letting people know that proceeds will go towards supporting the animals at Kitsap Humane Society.

Host a dinner party or cocktail hour, and invite guests to contribute with a monetary or item donation to the cause.

Coordinate a pet food or supply drive in your local community. You can find a list of the most needed items on our Wish List!

Thank you to local businesses, like Spiro's Pizza and Pasta - Port Orchard, for continuing to support the animals in such impactful ways. Tag us on Facebook and Instagram or send us photos from your fundraising event! We love to feature our community partners on social media and give thanks for your contributions to KHS!