Petco Love Awards Kitsap Humane Society with $20,000 Lifesaving Grant |
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Just a few weeks ago team KHS had the pleasure of taking a field trip to our local Bremerton Petco where we were honored to receive a $20,000 lifesaving grant from our friends at Petco Love. "This investment is one of hundreds given to organizations across the country as part of Petco Love’s mission to end preventable euthanasia and it's all made possible thanks to our Petco guests who generously donate at checkout," said Petco General Manager, Sandra Dmitriyeza. "On behalf of Petco Love, our community, and all the animals you help save, thank you. We’re pleased to present you with a lifesaving grant award to further your work in our community."
We are so grateful to be recipients of Petco Love's generous grant and look forward to using this investment to save thousands of lives each year and specifically fund our foster and behavior programs as they continue their critical work in our community. Thank you, Petco Love!
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Animal Krackers Tickets on Sale August 5! |
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Get ready for a night of glitz, glamor, and fun at Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort! Our 29th Annual Animal Krackers Presented by Brown Bear Car Wash is Saturday, Oct. 1 from 5 - 9 p.m. Join us for this benefit dinner and auction to hear heartwarming stories and raise your paddle to win one-of-a-kind experiences.
Registration includes access to our silent auction, complimentary beer & wine, dinner, and access to our live auction and dessert dash. VIP registration also includes special event access, a signature Animal Krackers cocktail, and premier seating. You’ll also receive a signature wine glass to take home with you after the event.
Your participation supports Kitsap Humane Society's efforts to provide comfort and care to thousands of animals in Kitsap County, and the expert medical care and rehabilitation each pet needs to become strong, healthy, and adopted into loving homes.
We look forward to seeing you at Animal Krackers!
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Foster a Pet Month a Success
Kitsap Humane Society celebrated Petco Love’s National Foster a Pet Month this June. We were thrilled to see an influx of foster applications, enthusiastic participation in our Pawjama Parties, and a very Happy Tail for our 12-year-old Great Dane, who spent several weeks in foster.
We are so happy to say that throughout June, we had 22 new applicants to our foster team, which is more than we have had any other month this year! In addition, we had over 20 dogs spend time in foster during June, and our overnight Pawjama Parties even turned into some long-term foster placements! And finally, we are so happy to announce that Aurora, the 12-year-old Great Dane, has found her forever home after spending three months in foster!
Thank you so much to everyone that has joined our foster team and fostered dogs, including Domino, Coach, Aurora, and so many others! You all are vital to the work we do here, and we couldn’t do it without you.
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KHS Volunteer Celebrates 4,000 Adoptions
Join us in congratulating KHS volunteer George Luzik for taking part in 4,000 adoptions! A volunteer since 2013, George assists our team in matching adopters with cats and kittens. In the nearly ten years George has been with us, he has helped 4,000 felines find their forever homes. Wow!
When asked why he decided to volunteer at KHS, he said, "Well, my wife and I both retired, and we were bored. At first, I thought the only thing we could do at KHS would be cleaning kennels, but then we found out that we could pet kitties, so we both signed up."
"My favorite part of volunteering in this role is seeing the smile on the adopter's faces when they find the cat for them."
George has been such a wonderful part of our team, "George is someone who truly loves cats and knows a lot about the care they need in a home, so he does a great job making matches that are a good fit for both the adopter and the cat," said KHS Director of Animal Welfare, Sarah Moody-Cook. "Additionally, the adoption process can be overwhelming for some people because it's a big commitment to add a new pet to your family, and I think George's calm, gentle manner really helps adopters feel at ease."
We couldn't be more grateful for all of George's hard work and the time he has committed to the pets in need in our community. Congratulations on 4,000 adoptions, George! You're amazing!
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How Old is Your Pet, Really?
Some dogs and cats have lived remarkably long lives. In March, Guinness World Records named Chihuahua “Toby Keith,” the oldest living dog at 21 years, 66 days old. The oldest dog ever recorded was an Australian Cattle Dog that passed in 1939 at the age of 29 years, five months. The world’s oldest cat, Crème Puff, lived to be 38 years and three days.
The old rule of thumb was seven dog years for every human year. However, science has shown us that this measure is no longer accurate!
Read more from the Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control blog on the interesting science of aging pets!
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In Memoriam - Gerry Porter |
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We, in our KHS community, have been deeply saddened by the news of the passing of someone who worked hard and advocated tirelessly for KHS, Gerry Porter.
Gerry is a former KHS Board member who served and advised as an Emeritus Board member until his death. From 2013-15, Gerry served as a strong and effective President of our Board, leading the Board’s efforts to help pull KHS out of an organizational and financial crisis and working as a close advisor, partner, and mentor with former Executive Director, Eric Stevens.
“He had a delightful sense of humor,” said Eric. “He always cared and thought about others before himself. He was insightful, a great advisor, and asked important questions. He was an outstanding and inclusive leader who was deeply respected and liked by Board members, staff, and volunteers.”
Gerry honed his leadership skills first as an ordained Episcopal Priest and then in leadership roles over many decades within the Episcopal Diocese. Gerry was also a great lover of dogs. He preferred Huskies, and his email ‘handle’ was “alphahusky.”
Gerry passed away peacefully in early July in Santa Rosa, California, where he and his wife Barbara had moved in 2015.
Gerry’s wife Barbara has requested that memorial gifts honoring Gerry be sent to Kitsap Humane Society and be earmarked for the Veterinary Lifesaving Center, which he very much wanted to see brought to fruition.
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Adorable Adoptable
Meet Bolt!
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Feeling a bit love-struck? It might be because of Bolt the kitten! Bolt is just one of over 100 felines currently available for adoption at Kitsap Humane Society. Holy kittens and cats!
Come on down to KHS and adopt a feline friend or two! All cat and kitten adoptions include a spay/neuter surgery, a microchip with national registration, initial vaccines and flea treatment, a free post-adoption exam at one of our participating local veterinarian partners, and more!
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Volunteer Spotlight
Meet Casey Schwitzer
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Sometimes it’s the tiniest creatures that make the biggest impact on us. Meet Casey Schwitzer, a newer (to KHS) foster parent who specializes in caring for the smallest and most fragile of felines: neonatal kittens
“I’ve been fostering since I was a kid,” said Casey. “My mother has always been an animal lover; because of that, we always had rescues we were nursing back to health. I really became passionate about rescue when I learned just how vulnerable neonatal kittens are. The idea of a baby kitten not having a mom or being raised outside in the elements tore my heart into pieces, and with that, I decided I was going to learn as much as I could!”
Casey joined the KHS network of fosters in March of 2022 and jumped right in with a litter of 2-week old orphaned kittens! “Kitsap Humane Society has such a wonderful foster program too. It’s been such a blessing working with folks that are just as passionate as I am,” said Casey. With all her foster experience combined, Casey has fostered nearly 100 neonatal kittens!
“Ultimately, I believe animals really just are the best things in the world, and I want to dedicate my life to helping them thrive so that they can live happy and healthy,“ said Casey.
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“Casey has been wonderful to work with and brings a lot of knowledge and enthusiasm to the table as a foster parent,” said our foster team. “Neonatal kittens can be incredibly fragile, and we recognize just how much heart it takes to care for these tiny lives. Casey greets each new challenge with a smile and a desire to learn and be able to do even better the next time around.”
Despite a generally hectic work schedule, Casey somehow always manages to find the time to swing kittens by for boosters and vet checks, coordinate medication and food pick-ups, and of course, provide those round-the-clock bottle feedings. We’re always impressed by her dedication!
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Staff Spotlight
Meet Officer McCourtney
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Coming to KHS all the way from sunny Arizona and with previous animal welfare experience to boot, Officer McCourtney has been a member of our small but incredible team of animal control officers for a little over a year!
In her role, Officer McCourtney provides solutions to community members having animal-related issues, which can include anything from “a loose dog in a cul-de-sac to a horse walking alongside HWY 3, someone getting bit by a dog or an elderly member of the community who has an injured cat but can’t make it to a place where the cat can get the care they need.”
Talk about a lot of hats! But it’s all in a day’s work for Officer McCourtney, who shares that her favorite part of her job is “being able to work at a shelter that not only cares about the animals that come into the shelter but the people too. Working at a place that cares for the employees as much as the animals make KHS a place worth working for.”
The one thing Officer McCourtney wants our community to know is that “animal control today isn’t what animal control has been previously shown to be in the past. We want to help and educate first before we apply enforcement. We strive to build and work with the community!”
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“Sydney is an ACO rockstar!” Officer McCourtney’s supervisor shares. “She is a diligent pet-loving member of our team and her passion for helping animals in need and our community is one of her joys of the job. If Sydney isn’t sharing stories about her cats or her pet lizard (Enzo, whom she adopted after discovering him as a stray and fostering him in her office for a week!), she’s actively working in the field. As Sydney’s supervisor, I am thankful to have her as part of our Animal Control team!”
We couldn’t agree more! Thank you for all the ways you support and represent KHS, Officer McCourtney!
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Community Spotlight
Visual Options
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This month we're putting our paws together for one animal-loving business, Visual Options! Not only has Visual Options been a supporter of KHS since 2005, but they are also a Platinum Paw sponsor of this year's Animal Krackers!
Visual Options is a team of talented fabricators that use innovative creativity, cutting-edge technology, and quality craftsmanship to design and manufacture visual needs for businesses and individuals across the nation. Including our KHS donation boxes that you see around the community!
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Visual Options is committed to giving back to their community and making a difference in the lives of animals. On behalf of team KHS and all our furry friends, thank you, Visual Options! |
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Many Thanks to Our Grand Shelter Sponsor: |
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Kitsap Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; Tax ID: 91-0728353 |
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