By Pepper Fisher
SEQUIM/PORT ANGELES – Olympic Peninsula Humane Society (OPHS), is reporting a crisis in overcrowding of their local animal shelters in Sequim, home of Kitty City, and Port Angeles, home of the Bark House.
Executive Director Luanne Hinkle says the overcapacity status is a result of several factors including a lack of accessible and affordable animal sterilization and medical care, and the number of animals being surrendered by their owners.
“You know, unfortunately, this is the time of year where people sometimes have to make very difficult decisions about surrendering an animal. Be it because they’re moving, we have a loved one that has passed away and the other partner can’t take care of the dog. There’re some economic conditions that are putting a burden on people these days, plus we’ve got a lot of Covid puppies, or what I’ll call lock-down puppies, that now are experiencing separation anxiety. And when their owners went back to work and aren’t there all the time, they become little “behavior problems”.
OPHS has taken in 432 strays in the past 9 months. Add to that the fact that they had to close for 2 months due to a community Parvovirus quarantine, and you can see why they are calling the current situation a crisis.
As a result, to help move dogs and cats out of the shelters, OPHS will be offering deep discounts in a “Home for the Holidays” adoption campaign. Interested folks can stop by Tractor Supply to meet multiple dogs “in person”, on Saturday, December 2 and Saturday, December 30 from 12–5pm. Another way to meet them is to call and set up a viewing appointment for a dog or cat at (360) 457-8206.
An example of the “Home for the Holidays” adoption fees is, for adult dogs over 31 pounds, just $50. That’s down from the regular fee of $200, and cats and kittens are half price.
“And, of course, those fees cover everything from all their vaccinations, their flea prevention, their microchips, a free health check-up, etc.”
To find out more call (360) 457-8206 or visit ophumanesociety.org.