Honoring a Canine Hero



Macy, a 3 year old brindle dog, woke up at 6:50 am on January 2 knowing that something was wrong. Dad and Grandma were at work, and Macy was alone with her 11 year-old master, Bryan. They were in his bedroom, asleep, when she smelled smoke. She nudged him, licked him, and pawed him. She barked. She licked him again and again, and he awoke. Their home was on fire and the room was full of smoke.

Humane Society Director Janine Ceja presented an award to Macy today at the Three Rivers Inn, where Inn Manager Kris Dodge is housing the family after their home burned down.


Without Macy, firefighters said, Bryan might have died within another few minutes. Despite being disoriented from smoke inhalation, Bryan remembered what he had learned about fires. He felt the bedroom door before opening it. It was hot to the touch. He and Macy went out the window, instead. She landed on top of him, jumping to safety. When fire crews arrived, Bryan was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Neither he nor Macy suffered any lasting harm.

Bryan has known Macy all her life. He picked her out when she was just one day old, he said, and she was the first puppy in a litter of six to come to him. He always knew she was a loyal friend. Today, the whole family understands the depth of her loyalty. Bryan's dad Patrick and grandma Lynda are grateful that the boy is safe, and they vow never to part with Macy. They lost everything in their Lyman home—everything except what really matters.

The Ribera family has had an outpouring of support from the community, and they have a home to move into. "She'll have a big yard to play in," Lynda said. Thanks to the Three Rivers Inn, Coho Liquidation, the North Cascades Veterinary Hospital, and the Humane Society of Skagit Valley, Macy has received a dog bed and toys, a veterinary checkup, an IOU to be spayed, and a place to stay with her family.

Congratulations, Macy Ribera. Thank you for your loyalty and bravery in the face of danger.

Your sponsorship is appreciated.

Our BLACK CAT AUCTION is coming! 



Venue: Port of Anacortes Transit Shed Event Ctr.,100 Commercial Ave., Anacortes, WA 98221 
Ticket Price:  $35 through Present to March 5th, 2015, then $45 from March 6th ~ April 5th, 2015; 
For $55 from April 6th ~ Aptil 18th 3:00 pm and $65 at the door if space remains. 
Dinner Catered by:  Gere-A-Deli   Live auction by auctioneer Tom Pasma.

This annual live & silent auction is our biggest annual fundraiser and makes our lifesaving work possible.  Can you help? 

Item/Service Contributions
All businesses and individuals who contribute merchandise or services will be listed in our catalog. We can arrange for a volunteer to pick up your donation at a time and location that is convenient for you. All donations and sponsorships must be received by March 5, 2014 to be listed in the auction catalog.

Event Sponsorship (Limited to one only!)

For a cash donation of $10,000, your business will be named as the host of our Black Cat Auction and our event name will be amended to reflect your support. Our event sponsor will have an opportunity to speak to our entire assembly of auction guests at the start of the event. You will also receive a VIP table with preferred seating for up to ten people and a champagne and gourmet chocolate gift basket. Your business will be included in advertising for the event through our website, newspapers, banners, posters, and the event catalog.

VIP Sponsorship

For a cash donation of $2,500, your business will be named as the host of our VIP Champagne Reception and will have an opportunity to speak to our VIPs at the start of that hour. You will also receive a VIP table with preferred seating for up to ten people and a champagne and gourmet chocolate gift basket. Your business will be included in advertising for the event through our website, newspapers, banners, posters, and the event catalog.

Corporate Sponsorship

For a cash donation of $1,500, your business will receive a VIP table with preferred seating for up to ten people, a champagne gift basket, and an invitation to our VIP Champagne Reception, beginning at 4:30 pm.. Your business will be included in advertising for the event through our website, newspapers, banners, posters, and the event catalog.

Top Dog Sponsorship

For a cash donation of $500, you will receive a reserved table with preferred seating for up to eight people. Your business information will be displayed in our catalog, website, and newspaper advertising, and you will be invited to our VIP Champagne Reception beginning at  4:30 pm.

Colossal Cat Sponsorship

For a cash donation of $100, your business will receive honorable mention in our catalog and website.


Do you know these dogs?

We have had a sudden influx of stray dogs over the last few days! Here are some of the beauties in our kennels today. All strays are held for a minimum of three business days before being offered for adoption, in order to give owners a chance to reclaim their lost pet. These pups will be made available in the coming days if no owners step forward.





Have you lost a pet? 

CHECK THE HUMANE SOCIETY. Call the shelter during business hours and report your lost pet. Even if it seems your pet has not been found, it is best to visit the shelter and see for yourself if your pet has been brought in. We cannot emphasize how important it is for you to stop by the shelter at least every other day to check to see if your pet was brought in. Staff are not always informed about new arrivals and cannot correctly identify breed or age in 100% of cases. Your description over the phone cannot substitute for a look through our kennels. Not all pets are listed on our website. Some additional pet photos are shared on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/skagithumane, so check there too! 

CHECK CRAIGSLIST.  Finders often list pets on Craigslist or other websites, and not all stray animals are brought to the Humane Society. Look in the Pets, Farm & Garden, and Lost & Found sections. 

DO NOT GIVE UP! Occasionally people will feed an animal for days or even weeks before turning it in to the Humane Society. Keep checking back.

MAKE POSTERS. Make a poster with a picture of your lost pet and large print words indicating "LOST DOG" or "LOST CAT". Print as many as possible, and place them around town (especially near your home or where the animal was last seen), at local veterinary clinics, and at the Humane Society of Skagit Valley. Circulate posters to as many locations as possible (local businesses, shopping malls, telephone poles, pet stores, etc.). Offering a reward will help motivate people to look for your lost pet. You do not need to specify the amount of the reward on your flyer if you do not want to.


CALL YOUR MICROCHIP HOTLINE. If your pet has been microchipped, call the microchip hotline. If you don't have the phone number, try calling the shelter or veterinary clinic where your pet got microchipped. They should be able to provide you with the correct contact information.


CHECK WITH VETS. Check with your local veterinary clinics to see if anyone has found or brought in your animal. Notify your veterinarian that your pet is lost.


PLACE AN AD. You can place an ad with the Skagit Valley Herald for lost animals for a small fee. You may call their classifieds department at (360) 424-4567 to place the ad or you may send them an e-mail atclassified@skagitvalleyherald.com.


USE THE MEDIA. Check with local radio and TV stations to see if they offer lost & found services. Use the web to your advantage.


INVEST TIME AND ENERGY. Be sure to check in and around your neighborhood. Take the time to walk around and call to your pet. Be sure to carry a leash and some food to help lure your pet. Drive around your neighborhood at night since some lost pets will hide during the day; they may even recognize the sound of your car. Finally, KEEP CHECKING THE SHELTER. Strays sometimes turn up weeks or months after they were lost. It is never too late to be reunited.









Black Cat Auction

Our Black Cat Auction is fast approaching!


Mark you calendars for Tuesday January 7, 2014. Our Black Cat Auction Meeting is scheduled for 6 PM at Burlington's Haggen food court.

All are welcome. Can you help or know someone who can? Can you donate? Do you have air miles you don't use, a timeshare, a skill (garden, cook, clean, wash windows etc.) or an item to give? Can you or your business be a sponsor at one of several levels?

For more information or to drop off donations, please contact Janine (humane@clearwire.net or 360-757-2568) or Ellie (360-610-0261). Let’s make this the best auction yet! I know we can . . . after all, it’s for the animals we love.

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