Programs

• Founded in 1902, WHS is the oldest non-profit animal welfare organization in Whatcom County.
• Open-admission shelter, the Whatcom Humane Society turns no animal away regardless of his/her age, temperament or medical condition.
• Provides 24 hour animal control and rescue services Whatcom County.
• Investigates cases of animal neglect & cruelty.
• Interactive Adoption Program for homeless animals that includes counseling new adopters on responsible pet care and a variety of animal behavior issues.

• Animal Wellness Program that provides health exam, spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, flea medication, de-worming, license or id tag and microchip identification prior to adoption.
• Staff veterinarians provide in-house veterinary services for shelter animals five days a week.
• Work with local wildlife rescue groups to pick-up and transport injured wildlife.
• Implementation of Safe-Pet Program, providing short-term pet safekeeping for victims of domestic violence.
• Extensive Humane Education programs in Whatcom County schools and libraries that educate children (K-12) on the importance of showing kindness and compassion towards animals.
• Community Outreach programs including working with local media to showcase animals available for adoption, presence at local street fairs and festivals and networking with other area non-profits and businesses to foster good relations.
• Low-cost pet vaccination), microchip and dog license clinics in low-income neighborhoods.
• Creation of a Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) for low-income residents in need.
• Production of PetWatch, the WHS weekly television show that features animals available for adoption, segments on relevant animal welfare issues and information for Whatcom County pet owners. The show airs 3 times a day on local Comcast stations.
• Operates “Paws Awhile”, the WHS store located at 1200 - 10th Street in Historic Fairhaven that features new and quality used items donated by the community. The shop is staffed entirely by volunteers.
• Pet Food Bank providing pet food to the pets of low-income residents in need. WHS supplies pet food to the Bellingham Food Bank, Blaine Food Bank, Lummi Indian Reservation Community Center, Bellingham Meals on Wheels and the Hope House.
• Interactive website where visitors can view animals available for adoption, download dog license applications, find information on off-leash dog areas in Bellingham and learn how to humanely deal with native wildlife.
• Working relationships with other animal welfare organizations including the Alternative Humane Society, King County Humane Society, PAWS, N.O.A.H. and Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue.
• Foster program that houses animals with special needs and/or severe medical issues in volunteer homes for care and rehabilitation until animal is ready to return to the shelter.