As part of my mission to get to know the local organizations doing good things in Shelton, I stopped in at Adopt-A-Pet at 940 E Jensen Road in Shelton.  I feared I might be walking into a depressing environment full of unloved, cast-off dogs, but I was delighted to find a cheery, clean, well-run operation staffed by friendly, helpful people who REALLY love dogs.

When I arrived, a middle-aged couple were picking up a dog named Cougar and taking him to his new home. Both the couple and the dog were excited and I could tell the staff was full of the warm satisfaction that comes from making a love match.

Cougar has a new home

The "No-Kill" shelter is funded entirely by donations and operated entirely by volunteers so  " the majority of the funds we raise goes to the dogs." as it says on the Adopt-A-Pet website, http://www.adoptapet-wa.org/

One of the volunteers, we'll call her Linda, because that's her name, showed me around and enlightened me as to the wonderful work they are doing there. Although the operation is funded entirely by donations, they not only house, feed and find homes for dogs, but they provide donations of dog food to food banks (so poor peoples' dogs can eat too), vouchers for spaying/neutering (both for puppies too young for the procedure when adopted out, but also for residents of Mason County who need help paying for the procedures), and help with certain emergency vet bills. From what I could glean from my visit, increasing the overall health and happiness of the dogs of Mason County is the overriding mission and Adopt-A-Pet is far more than a warehouse for cast-off pets.

The facility is set up for a maximum of 35 dogs, but averages 15-18 at any given time. Adult dogs are sterilized and brought up to date on their vaccinations and any health conditions are treated. Puppies get two set of shots before being adopted out and, when they are old enough to be spayed or neutered, Adopt-A-Pet will give you a voucher to take to one of the local veterinarians that offer discounted services to Adopt-A-Pet.

The facility features three large play yards for dogs to get a good work out in the fresh air. The kennels have concret floors (for ease of cleaning one imagines) and are open to the outdors on one side and have an entrance into a sheltered area with heating in the slab. I've never had underfloor heating in any of my dwellings, so good for them! There are smaller separated areas adjacent to the main office/lobby area for puppies and a couple of extra kennels for occasions requiring separation or quarantining.

If you're an animal lover, you're probably wondering how you can help out. Aside from the perennial need for cash donations all non-profits struggle with, Adopt-A-Pet also accepts donations of dog food and toys. There is also a need for volunteers, not just to physically care for the dogs' needs, but to help in the office, with fundraising events, community outreach, facility construction and maintenance, and of particular interest at the moment, a treasurer to do the all important work of keeping track of the financial side of things.

Another program that is in the early stages is a dog fostering program. If you're one of those people who'd like to have more dogs, but dont want to commit to maintaining an entire pack for life, this may be a path for you to explore.

I'd like to thank Linda and Catherine for taking time to visit with me and Di for her hard work as kennel manager.  I'd like to close with this thought:

I think the dogs that have found their way to this shelter are some of the luckiest dogs in the world, and I feel pretty lucky as well to have found my way to a special community that supports this good work.

Adopt-A-Pet

940 E Jensen Road

Shelton, WA 98584

Tel: (360) 432-3091

Adoptions and general information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Volunteering information

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hours

MON, WED, FRI, SAT

10:00am-3:00pm

TUES, THURS, SUN. closed to the public