09/03/2026
We would like to address the concerns regarding our position on animal intakes in Clallam County. This year we have taken in 182 animals total, 54 dogs and 128 cats. When we have had low numbers of animals we have reached out to other local organizations such as Welfare Animals Guild, RISE, PAIR, and PFOA to assist with overcrowding, and some of these organizations have taken us up on these offers of assistance, and transferred animals into our care, or deferred community members to our organization who were looking to surrender to them due to lack of space or capacity for care. When animal numbers have been low we have even posted on our socials that members of the community who are struggling to keep their pets could bring their animals to us to care for in their time of need. In this economy, our donations have lessened, and we have had to minimize staffing. Less funding means less employees, and because we refuse to sacrifice quality of care in the name of having high animal numbers, less staffing means less animal intakes in order to ensure quality of care for each animal under our charge. We strongly believe that animal welfare is a collaborative effort amongst community members, organizations, and Animal Control, and we want to be a part of the conversation about how we go about solving the problems with animal welfare in our community. We would love to have a stray contract with the municipalities on the Peninsula, but outside of the lack of funding from these municipalities for Animal Control Services, there is too much room for liability and litigation when it comes to both taking in and adopting out strays without a contract as a private non-profit organization. There is no question that this county needs more Animal Control & Sheltering services, but this problem cannot fall solely on the shoulders of private non-profits to solve. We agree that our municipalities need to do more for the lost/stray animals in our community who wander the streets in need of a place to stay in order for their guardians to find them, rather than their guardians having to contact every private non-profit in an effort to find their beloved pet. Moving forward we will post our intake numbers and current number of animals in care monthly in an effort to be more transparent. We hope to continue working with other organizations on the Peninsula in an effort to find placement for animals in need, as we are, and always will be, dedicated to the betterment of the lives of animals and the people who care for them in our community!
