Community Outreach, Education, and Resources
Visiting Educators
If you are interested in having HSSV employees/volunteers educate a classroom or other group about important topics such as animal care, affordable spay and neuter options for their pets, dog bite prevention, and obedience training techniques, please contact us by phone or email. In some cases, a trustworthy and highly social HSSV animal may be available to attend the event!
School Groups
We can usually welcome classes and groups to the shelter, by prearrangement, to learn more about pet care and animal welfare issues. Parent permission is required. If you would like to find out about bringing your students to the shelter for a guided tour, please call or email the office well in advance of your visit.
Email our Director of Development if you are interested in having an HSSV employee visit your workplace, school, or community group, or to inquire about your group visiting us at the shelter. She can be reached at: kimw@skagithumane.org
What To Do If You Find A Litter of Kittens
What You Should Know About Reporting Animal Abuse & Neglect
At the end of 2019, the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act was signed into law, strengthening federal laws against animal abuse. In addition, every U.S. state has felony-level animal cruelty laws on the books. We encourage all citizens to recognize and report animal abuse. According to the Washington State anti-cruelty laws, all animals should have food, water, and shelter and be protected from abuse. You should call your local police department (if you live in an unincorporated area of your county) or call your County Animal Control (ACO) to report animal abuse. If an emergency is in progress, call 911.
CALL 911 TO REPORT A FOUND PET OR IF YOU SUSPECT ANIMAL ABUSE OR NEGLECT
Wildlife
To report cruelty concerns regarding wild animals or poaching (illegal trapping, fishing or hunting) please visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Pet Care Information
The Humane Society of Skagit Valley believes that pet care education is extremely important. If you need advice on a pet care issue or if you need support in improving your relationship with your family pet, please call the shelter for tips or resources.
Staff and volunteers from the Humane Society are often involved in events around the area to inform people of all ages about animal care, spay and neuter services for their pets, dog bite prevention, and obedience training techniques. If you know of an organization that could use our education services, give us a call at (360) 757-0445 or via email at shelter@skagithumane.org
Obedience Training
Due to a lack of space, we do not currently offer obedience training. If you know of a covered facility in the Valley that is available at low or no cost for regular class sessions, please let us know! This is a community service we would love to be able to provide!
Puppy Mills & Pet Overpopulation
The Humane Society of the United States estimates that there are 6 to 8 million homeless animals entering animal shelters every year. Up to 3 million of these pets are euthanized due to a shortage of appropriate homes. Many of the dogs that are put to sleep each year are healthy, purebred animals with the potential to be cherished pets. There are no better ways to prevent homelessness in pets than to spay, neuter, and adopt.
The Puppy Mill Problem
Many of the cute, adorable puppies that you see for sale in pet stores, on the internet, or by breeders advertising in magazines or newspapers are actually born in filthy, abusive, and cramped conditions. A breeder can market puppies with a few photos of happy animals romping on the lawn, when in reality their breeding stock is stacked in a dark shed in layers of feces-caked wire cages. Some commercial breeders use inbred, genetically-weak parents to obtain smaller or specially-marked puppies, and the darling puppies that result can exhibit debilitating signs of congenital disease later in life. There are many heart wrenching stories of rescue operations in which hundreds of malnourished, terrified, and damaged mother and father dogs are extricated from deplorable conditions. By adopting your next pet from a reputable humane society or rescue group, you can refuse to support abusive puppy mill owners. Purebred dogs are also often available through our shelter and others like it. Seattle Purebred Dog rescue (www.spdrdogs.org) and Petfinder.com are good resources for finding an adoptable dog of your preferred breed.
Spay & Neuter Services
HSSV’s Low-income Spay & Neuter Clinic has been temporary suspended due to complications with COVID. We are working hard to bring back this important service! We will update here when we are back up and running.
To learn more about N.O.A.H.s no cost feral alteration program visit www.theNOAHcenter.org or call (360) 629-7055. Cat traps are available to borrow at no cost (security deposit required).
The WeSNIP program was created to provide high-quality spay and neuter service to low income pet owners in Whatcom County. Owners receiving public assistance (SSD/SSI, food stamps, and others) or of very low income may call to discuss eligibility. Reach them at 360-733-6549, but please keep in mind they only serve residents of Whatcom County.
Cedardale Neuter and Vaccination Clinic in Mount Vernon offers low cost spay and neuter services. Visit their website or call (360) 424-5676 to learn more.