The Humane Society of Skagit Valley is a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization.

The Humane Society of Skagit Valley is a non-profit organization founded in 1974 to provide a safe haven to shelter and care for the abandoned, abused, or unwanted animals within Skagit County; to treat the animals with dignity and respect; to place these animals into loving and caring homes; to create public education programs that increase the awareness of humane treatment and the necessity of spay and neuter of all animals; and to coordinate resources for housing and placement of small animals evacuated during disaster. We are not a county or city municipal shelter, although we do contract with Skagit County and a number of cities to provide services to them. We are a private non-profit shelter that relies heavily on fundraising events throughout the year as well as donations and gifts left to us in wills. We truly appreciate the generosity of our community members as well as the amazing efforts of our volunteers at the shelter and at our fundraising events.

We are an open-admission facility. We do not pick and choose our pets, but accept any companion animals who need our care. We see over 2500 animals pass through our shelter each year. We provide care, comfort, and medical care to the animals that come through our doors. Even animals that have extensive medical needs get the attention they require.

Our mission

To provide a safe haven to shelter and care for the abandoned, abused, or unwanted animals within Skagit County; to treat the animals with dignity and respect; to place these animals into loving and caring homes; to create public education programs that increase the awareness of humane treatment and the necessity of spay and neuter of all animals; and to coordinate resources for housing and placement of small animals evacuated during disaster.

Our principles

Whereas, we are responsible for the welfare of those animals that we have domesticated and those upon whose natural environment we have encroached; and

Whereas, all utilization of animals gives us neither the right nor the license to exploit or abuse them; and

Whereas, all life possesses an inherent value and is thus deserving of considerate treatment.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Humane Society of Skagit County and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals encourages the public to adopt the following guidelines and further expects our membership to agree with these principles:

• We will not kill animals needlessly nor for entertainment, nor to cause pain or torment.
• We will provide adequate food, water, shelter, and care for animals for which we have accepted responsibility.
• We will not use animals for medical, educational, or commercial experimentation or research unless absolute necessity can be demonstrated and unless such is done without causing pain and torment.
• We will not maintain animals that are used for food in a manner that causes them discomfort or denies them an opportunity to develop and live in conditions that are reasonably natural for them.
• We will not kill animals for food in any manner that does not result in instantaneous unconsciousness.
• We will not confine animals for display, impoundment, or as pets in conditions that are not comfortable and appropriate.
• We will not permit domestic pets to propagate.