Temporary dog foster homes needed
Community's animal rescue groups rise to challenge
“There’s an immense power in the community that comes together to help one another, no matter the challenges they face.” — Anonymous
While the County Commissioners plan to form a committee in response to the unexpected closure of the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society’s (OPHS) canine campus, swift actions of animal rescue agencies have already organized to fill a tremendous void in the community.
“What we need more than anything right now are foster homes,” stressed Mel Marshall, Operations Manager for Sequim-based Welfare for Animals Guild (WAG). With the hope that a local rescue will take over the closed OPHS facility in the coming months, the immediate solution lies in foster families. These first weeks of the OPHS closure are crucial, and your support is needed now more than ever.
WAG has been at capacity since the closing of OPHS. “We might have room for a chihuahua in the closet, but that’s it,” Marshall said, not necessarily joking.
“We follow our dogs for life,” explained Marshall. “So, if you foster a dog or even adopt one, and it isn’t the right fit, bring it back. If you change your mind after a week, or if circumstances change after a decade, we will always take our dogs back.”
The best way to enter the foster program is to fill out an application on their website, where you can also see adoptable dogs and learn about volunteer opportunities.
Currently, WAG does not need donated items, but financial support is a pressing need. “Surgery on a broken leg can cost $7,000, but we are committed to providing the best care for our animals," Marshall emphasized.
After the unexpected closure of OPHS and the criticism that the shelter was not transparent with donor funds, Marshall understands why some community members may be reluctant to offer support. “Call us, come for a tour, see our operations, look up our tax forms online — you’ll see that this is all about the animals. Don’t hesitate to ask us, and we will answer your questions about how we operate our nonprofit and how the money is spent.”
WAG’s 2022 IRS form 990 can be viewed by clicking here.
If you are interested in WAG’s mission to help dogs in our county, attend their open house on Saturday, August 10th:
“We do this for the love of animals,” said Marshall. She says the animal rescues in the community are handling a lot right now, but they are supporting each other through this transition. “We are staying strong,” says the operations manager after a particularly difficult day.
When asked what message Marshall wanted to pass along to county residents concerned about animal welfare, she didn’t hesitate to answer, “Spay and neuter.”
While I fully support WAG and all they do, a comment was made during the Commissioner's meeting that foster homes must have a fenced yard. Two small dogs in my community have been killed by deer in their fenced yards (one with the owner present). We also have eagle, coyote, raccoons...What is so wrong with several long walks a day - in the neighborhood, at the beach, on the trail, especially for small dogs? During what is called a 'crisis' it seems to me that a dog would be better off on the end of a leash than on the street. Please make it easier for people to help, not more difficult.
Is there not a vet or vets that could perform the spay and neuter surgery a couple at a time without cost? I’m ignorant to the amount of cats and dogs that are brought to the shelter?