A few happy endings

We have been placing animals in loving homes faster than we can bring them in! If you walk through and see our kennels and cat cages standing empty, don't worry — it's just that so many of our animals have met their perfect parents in the last few weeks! 

Here are a few new families:

Nina the puppy is going to join a big beautiful family, where she'll have two little girls and a big brother dog, Barley, for company! 

Hunter the handsome orange and white tabby went out the door with a loving new mom today, and so did Tabitha the dainty sweetheart! 

Tabitha's new mom is a licensed vet tech and animal massage therapist, so Tabitha has a lot of loving care in her future!

We love compassionate kids!

These great kids dropped in today to give generously to the animals. First up, we have Chris, who recently turned 12. He asked for donations for the animals in lieu of gifts! Thank you, Chris, for your thoughtfulness and warm heart!

Then, Morgan and Kane dropped in with a big pile of supplies that they had collected for our dogs and cats! They walked through the canine wings distributing biscuits this afternoon, so every dog in the building will go to bed with something fun to chew on! Thanks, Morgan and Kane, for your kindness.

Pawsitive Alliance is making a pawsitive difference in our community

We are grateful for the friendship and support of the folks at Pawsitive Alliance, a volunteer driven organization working to help end the euthanasia of adoptable dogs and cats in Washington by increasing adoptions, supporting spay and neuter programs, and providing education and programs to improve pet retention. Just as we rely on our BLACK CAT AUCTION to do the lifesaving work of rescuing pets, they rely on their PAWSITIVE FUTURES benefit to connect pets to their forever families.

Pawsitive Futures 2014 is coming up on March 1 in Seattle. Supporters from around Puget Sound will come together for an evening of drinks and fun to champion Pawsitive Alliance’s mission and achievements.  

Join nearly 200 fellow animal lovers for a fun night out to help dogs and cats in need. Enjoy a vegetarian buffet dinner, beer and wine, chocolate tasting, silent and live auctions, and new this year, table seating with all proceeds going towards our life saving efforts-WOW.
Tickets are just $60 for general seating.

All of the fun happens on March 1, 2014, from 6-9 PM at the Swedish Club in Seattle. Swedish Club is located at 1920 Dexter Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109.

Tickets are only $60 for general seating, or you can also help the animals by being a "Table Captain".  Reserve a table for 8 for only $440 and enjoy additional benefits of priority seating, a bottle of wine, and gifts for you and your guests! Visit their website at www.pawsitivealliance.org to purchase your tickets or send checks to Pawsitive Futures, C/O Pawsitive Alliance, PO Box 82610, Kenmore, WA 98028.

The Humane Society of Skagit Valley supports the spaying and neutering of pets.

It's Valentine's Day, and love is in the air . . . we can show our love of companion animals by practicing responsible spaying and neutering. For every new pet born, there is one out there somewhere already, in need of a home. Spaying and neutering is one of the very best things that you can do to ensure that all pets have a shot at a loving home!

We are proud to support SPAY DAY USA, and we thank the participating veterinarians in our region for making these surgeries more accessible to all. 

Waldo is on the mend!

Ready for an amazing update? 


Thank you SOOO much to everyone who had so far donated to the Waldo Amputation Fund! Here is a great update from his foster mom:

"Waldo is a coonhound mix with lots of energy and an eagerness to please. He loves to be in the company of other dogs so a home with other friendlies would be his dream home. Giving this handsome young dog a job will keep his brain engaged (obedience training and/or Kongs with frozen treats would work well). He loves his treats! Routine is important as are gentle but firm boundaries. This expressive boy has lots of potential and will bond hard with his human and canine friends.

"Waldo is recovering from a front leg amputation. The recovery process would be a great bonding experience for someone willing to spend a bit of extra time helping this boy heal over the next month or two. He has adjusted to being three-legged easily because, frankly, that old leg was a bit of a hindrance. Recover includes lots of quiet time, regular walks and extra TLC. His stitches will come out around February 22."

An important message from our partners in humane service

There are just a few days for the companion animal spay/neuter assistance bill, SSB 5202, to be voted out of the Washington State Senate before cutoff (February 18). If you have not done so, please contact your state senator now to encourage him or her to support passage of this bill; and share this message with friends and associates. Thank you for being a voice for the animals!  Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 5202 would create a statewide companion animal spay/neuter assistance program that would provide free or very low-cost spay/neuter surgeries for dogs and cats belonging to low-income individuals, and spay/neuter surgeries for feral and free-roaming cats. SSB 5202 replaces the original bill, SB 5202. The substitute bill removes the pet-food fee funding source from the original bill, and replaces it with a voluntary contribution of up to $1 per pet license (surcharge) from communities that license pets. Although the original bill provides strong, reliable and predictable funding through the pet-food fee, it became clear that the state senate would not support passage of a bill with that funding source this biennium. The substitute bill does not provide the funding we desire, but it does create a framework for building an effective spay/neuter assistance program. Securing a long-term funding source that is workable, adequate, and fair will be essential. For that reason, we support passage of SSB 5202. Please contact your state senator by phone or email NOW and ask that he or she vote FOR SSB 5202 in the senate. Your state senator can be contacted about SSB 5202 by filling out the comment form on the bill. It's quick and easy. Be sure to click the buttons asking for a reply from your senator. Please consider the following tips in writing your message: Ask your senator to encourage other senate leaders to schedule SSB 5202 for a vote on the senate floor. Ask your senator to vote FOR SSB 5202. Say that the bill is an important step in reducing costs our cities and counties bear in dealing with homeless animals; and will help end the deaths of thousands of dogs and cats in our state's shelters. State reasons why the bill is important to YOU and others in your community. We encourage a followup call to your senator's office asking for a "yes" vote on SSB 5202, Companion Animal Spay/Neuter Assistance. You will find your senator's phone number listed here. Please contact Save Washington Pets if you have any questions or need help! Their email address isinfo@savewashingtonpets.org.

Please keep in touch Washington Alliance for Humane Legislation/Save Washington Pets at their website, www.savewashingtonpets.org and on Facebook. Save Washington Pets is a registered trade name of Washington Alliance for Humane Legislation, a 504(c)(4) organization.

Coming soon to the adoptable pets list

We have some incredible new dogs and cats to list on our "available pets" site. We'll get them up as soon as possible. In the meantime, if you are looking to adopt or if you have lost a pet, please come down to the shelter to meet them! They include over a dozen cats and several gorgeous dogs!

If you have lost a pet, we also recommend watching our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/skagithumane, where found pets are often posted first.

Oliver, a tabby kitten

Buckets 'o' Love! 

Stella, a black and white cat
Eloise, a big-eyed tabby
Alice, a playful tortie
Brody, a quiet chihuahua
Henry, a dobie blend
Bonnie, a young chocolate lab mix
Buckets, a loveable chunky dog
Shiloh, a dilute tortie
Daisy, a dainty tortie
MeaMea, a longhaired gray cat
Thomas, a large friendly tabby
Pepper, a black and white cat
Fritzy and Frank, two orange tabbies
Marmalade, a big tortoiseshell girl
Zephyr, a young siamese
Blossom, a pretty young kitty
Miss Kitty, a velvety tortoiseshell
Dixie, a maltese/shihtzu blend

Did you know?

Did you know . . . .

that the Humane Society of Skagit Valley supports our local Meals-On-Wheels chapter by providing pet food for elderly and mobility-impaired animal lovers?

that the Humane Society of Skagit Valley maintains a pet food bank for low-income Skagit County residents in need?

that the Humane Society of Skagit Valley never euthanizes animals for reasons of space or length-of-stay? We have had pets with us for up to a year until the best possible home is found!

that the Humane Society of Skagit Valley maintains a Second Chance Medical Rescue fund so that homeless pets in need of cancer treatment, amputations, or major surgery can receive life-saving treatment before being placed in adoptive homes?

that the Humane Society of Skagit Valley is open to the public seven days a week, except major holidays, and that our animals love to have visitors?

that the Humane Society of Skagit Valley provides low-income spay and neuter services through a nearby veterinary clinic?

that all Humane Society of Skagit Valley dogs and cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped before going home?

that the Humane Society of Skagit Valley depends on a network of foster homes to provide nursing and hospice care for the youngest and oldest pets in our program?

that the Humane Society of Skagit Valley often has healthy, purebred dogs available for adoption?

that all are welcome to volunteer at the Humane Society of Skagit Valley to help enrich the lives of our homeless animals?

that the Humane Society of Skagit Valley relies on our biggest annual fundraiser, the Black Cat Auction, for much of our annual operating budget?

that the Humane Society of Skagit Valley is very close to funding the construction of our Sandra Nelson Memorial Cat Wing, to provide our feline friends with more safe, spacious, and enriching living quarters?

that the Humane Society of Skagit Valley places well over 1000 pets each year in loving homes?

that the Humane Society of Skagit Valley has been in our community since the early 1970's, and has been a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization since 1974?

What else would you like to know? We would love to help you better understand the life-saving work we do. Email or call with your questions any time!

Waldo needs our help!

Have you met Waldo?

If the answer is yes, then you will know how amazing and sweet this dog is and you will understand what is coming next. If you haven't, then please let me introduce you! Waldo is a big hound blend, with long floppy ears and eyes that beg you to fall in love with him. Waldo loves people of all shapes and sizes—especially kids! 

Waldo came in with four other dogs as part of a pack. Each pack member had various issues, including some behavioral and medical challenges, but with time, the commitment of volunteers, and funds from our Second Chance Medical Rescue account we have been able to get them all back on the road to health. Waldo came in three-legged lame, and we've worked with two vets to determine the best course of action. After several exams and many x-rays, it has been determined that the only way for Waldo to have a real shot at a normal life is to have his front leg amputated. 

Let us back up a little.

Waldo was hit by a car last summer. The leg was dislocated, and connecting tendons and ligaments were torn. The owner did not have the funds to have it fixed, so it dangled at his side and atrophied. He can no longer use his front leg at all. The good news? He's a healthy, active dog with great balance and he's totally adapted to life without that leg already. Once it's removed, he'll be pain free and ready to gallop joyfully again!

That is where you come in, my friend. We need financial aid to have this surgery performed so that we can get this boy out of his life of pain! 

If you would be willing to help out with Waldo, we would be truly grateful. Any amount will help. As always, we promise to keep you completely up to date with his progress, post videos, let you know when he finds his loving forever family, and provide karmic kudos to anyone who cares to help.

Tax-deductible donations can be made by mailing a check to HSSV Second Chance Fund, 18841 Kelleher Road, Burlington, WA 98233; by calling the shelter and donating by credit card into the Second Chance Fund; by dropping cash or a check at the shelter; or by using our Paypal button below.

Please help if you can—and come down to meet Waldo anytime! He would love to see you.

Auction Items

We'll be previewing Black Cat Auction Items here in the coming days. Check back for a sneak peek at more of our catalog highlights, and remember - it's not too late to make your donation!

Seahawks Quilt

Show your 12th man pride with this beautiful creation, backed in velvety-soft minky fabric and donated by Cinda at Calico Creations in Mount Vernon.

San Juan Islands Flight for Two

Wouldn’t you love to soar high above the Islands and view the spectacular San Juans, mountain vistas ,and the abundant beauty of Skagit County? Join Pilot Warren Waltz on an incredible journey.

Black Cat Auction Sponsors

We gratefully acknowledge the support of these 

Auction Sponsors:

2015

TOP DOG SPONSORS

SUZANNE KLEIN~LARSON
Happy Birthday Grandma Kerri 
We Love You! from
Baby Girl & Porter

TRIUMPH TATTOO

http://www.triumphtattoo.com/

COLLEGE WAY ANIMAL HOSPITAL

www.collegewaypets.com/

ALLSTATE ~ BOOTH AGENCY

agents.allstate.com/annette-booth-mount-vernon-wa.html

VALLEY VIEW FARM
BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOGS

EAGLES OF SKAGIT VALLEY AUXILLARY #3242

https://www.facebook.com/sveagles3242?fref=ts
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!!

Stiles & Stiles, INC., Legal Representation

www.stilesandstiles.com/

Pet Portrait Rocks by Lisa

www.zhibit.org/petportraitrocks

H20 & Anacortes Brewery/Rock Fish Grill 

www.anacortesh2o.com/

Calico Cupboard Cafe & Bakery

www.calicocupboardcafe.com/

Chem-Dry of Mount Vernon

www.chem-dry.net/mountvernon.wa

Basset rescue of Puget Sound

www.adoptabasset.net/

Skagit Bank 

https://www.skagitbank.com/

Maggies Legacy Community Medical Fund

Maggies Legacy helps fund a portion of trauma medical issues for the communityvia the Humane Society of Skagit Valley. 

FIDALGO ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER of ANACORTES

http://www.fidalgovets.com/

COLOSSAL CAT SPONSORS

Edward Jones - Nick VanJaarsveld

Keith Sorestad State Farm Insurance

World Spay Day is approaching!

We ask our community to join with us this February in acknowledging the 20^th anniversary of WORLD SPAY DAY, a campaign to spay or neuter pets. With pet owners, veterinarians, and shelter partners, we're helping to reach the goals of reducing unwanted litters and improving health care for pets throughout the community. Pet overpopulation can be solved by responsible spaying and neutering! 

While Spay Day is traditionally on the last Tuesday in February, many area clinics are offering discounts throughout the month or on a different day of their choice. Please call the shelter of your choice to learn when discounted surgeries are being offered, and to make your reservation before spots fill up! 

Special, low event pricing applies at most participating clinics. 

Last year a record-breaking 1,023 surgeries were done by 49 local veterinary clinics for World Spay Day, and we are honored to have numerous Skagit County clinics partnering in this effort this year. 

If you are a pet owner who would like to have a discounted spay or neuter performed during this special promotion, call one of the participating clinics below to make an appointment as soon as possible. Let them know that you heard about World Spay Day and want to get involved! 

• Chuckanut Valley Veterinary Clinic 757-3722

• Skagit Animal Clinic 757-7202

• Cedardale Neuter & Vaccination Clinic 424-5676

• College Way Animal Hospital 848-1189

• Mount Vernon Veterinary Hospital  424-4054

• North Cascade Veterinary Hospital 856-1809 (cats only)

• Sedro Woolley Veterinary Care 856-0310

Off to a great start!

February is off to a great start! Seven happy cats and dogs met their forever moms and dads today. Here's January's "Happy Homers" list, and the start of February's. Do you think we can make it overflow with names by the end of the month??