Whatcom Humane Society Statement of Principle:The Whatcom Humane Society believes that all animals, as sentient beings, have value beyond economic measurements and are entitled to legal, moral, and ethical consideration and protection.

Vision:Our community treats all animals with kindness, respect, and compassion.

Mission Statement:The Whatcom Humane Society:

• Advocates for animals

• Educates the community to promote humane treatment and respect for animals

• Provides for abandoned, injured, abused or neglected animals

Message From The Executive DirectorDear Friends,

Do you remember the classic movie Field of Dreams — and the “voice” that spoke to the Kevin Costner character saying… “If you build it, they will come."

That phrase could very well define the past six months at the Whatcom Humane Society. We moved into our new home in June and our staff and volunteers didn’t have a second to catch their breath before homeless, unwanted and abused animals started coming through the doors.

Big, little, furry, feathered, hooved and scaly. So many animals found their way to our new shelter needing assistance, care, comfort, protection and a second chance at finding a new home.

And while our address may have changed, our mission has not. As an open-admission facility, we turn no animal away. As summer turned to fall, we saw what can only be described as a bizarre influx of reptiles coming into our care. Turtles — aquatic and desert, lizards – including iguanas, bearded dragons and monitor lizards and snakes — several ball pythons and an 8 foot boa constrictor named Thor. Even in a spacious new shelter facility, our resources were stretched thin as we did our best to provide for these animals specialized needs. Folks will be happy to know that Thor did find a permanent, responsible and loving home. Even snakes deserve love!

Overall, our animal adoptions this year have been fantastic — exceeding all our expectations. It’s incredibly inspiring and heartwarming to see so many deserving animals being adopted into great new homes. In addition to fantastic adoption statistics, we have finally reached our long-time goal of being able to offer humane education programs in our facility for kids of all ages. Seeing young children in the shelter learning about animal issues and interacting with staff, volunteers and the animals renews my faith in future generations and their ability to show kindness and compassion to animals.

As fall turns into winter, we will continue our work and efforts on behalf of the animals. The ongoing challenges that we face include fundraising for daily operations while continuing to raise funds to finish paying for the cost of our beautiful new shelter. Community support is needed now more than ever.

As the year winds down, we have so much to be thankful for. On behalf of everyone at the Whatcom Humane Society, I want to sincerely thank each and every person, business and group that has given their support to our agency and the animals in our care.

With Sincere Appreciation, Laura Clark Executive Director

WHATCOM HUMANE SOCIETYCARING FOR ANIMALS SINCE 1902

The Whatcom Humane Society’s Newsletter Fall 2013

Laura Clark Executive Director

CALENDARS ARE AVAILABLE AT: • The Whatcom

Humane Society

• Paws Awhile Gift Shop

• PetStop in Sehome Village

• Tails-A-Wagging Doggie Daycare & Obedience Training

• Maplewood Animal Hospital

• Bow Wow & Woofs

• Northshore Veterinary Hospital

Visit www.whatcomhumane.org for additional location sites.

Board of DirectorsVictoria Savage, President Janet Hofmann, Vice President Pam Went, Secretary Ria Bordian Janise Rands Jennifer Sonker Neal Swanson Drew Wilkens Kevin Williamson Deb Wright

StaffExecutive Director Laura Clark

Administration Kate Meuth Alldredge Leanna DeRoss

Animal Care Adriana Willmersdorf, Manager Sarah Hansen, Supervisor Amy Campbell, Lead Raena Anderson Kyle Berger Tina Deming Emily Iacobucci Jesse Johnson, Farm Caregiver Alicia Langdon Leigha Maland Jen Pauls, Foster Care Coordinator

Animal Control & Rescue/ Field Services Paul Evans, Manager Rebecca Crowley, Lead Officer Michael Anderson, Dispatch Randy Ascanio Carrie Anderson Vicky Gibbons Marcus Newton Meganne Shannon-Johnson

Finance/Accounting Dana Berger

Special Events Dana Browne, Manager

Community Outreach/ Humane Education Krista Unser

Volunteer Services Carly Brewer

Customer Service Danielle Yencopal-Smith, Lead Sarah Bennett Zakia Kaminski

Paws Awhile Gift Shop Dedicated Volunteers

Veterinary Services Karen Rounds, DVM Joni Ascanio, Vet Tech

OUR NEW LOCAT ION!2172 Division Street Bellingham, WA 98226

HOURS OF OPERATION! Wednesday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday – Monday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Closed Tuesday & major Holidays

Phone: (360) 733-2080 Fax: (360) 733-4746

www.whatcomhumane.org

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Happy TailsThe Whatcom Humane Society’s 12-month 2014 Wall & Desk Calendar• Share 2014 with inspiring animals – all

adopted from the Whatcom Humane Society

• Read a new “Happy Tail” each month

• Perfect gift for any animal lover!

• Available for Suggested Minimum Donation of $5.00 per Calendar

• 100% of your donation directly benefits the animals at the Whatcom Humane Society

On a sweltering hot July afternoon, animal control officer Randy Ascanio responded to a call for assistance in Blaine. The caller contacted WHS dispatch and reported that there was a large box sitting in the middle of the road at an intersection. The box was duct taped and sealed and had the phrase “Free Cat” written in several places.

Officer Ascanio responded, removed the box from the road and carefully opened it. Inside, he found a terrified black & white female cat. The cat was filthy, covered in fleas and suffering from dehydration. Officer Ascanio transported her back to the shelter where she was given food, water, treated for fleas and placed in a comfortable, cool, quiet kennel.

After “Box Kitty” as staff initially called her had settled in, it became clear that she was probably pregnant. Sure enough, a few days later she gave birth to three kittens. “Box Kitty” became “Mama Kitty” and mom and babies left the shelter for several weeks of care with a dedicated WHS foster family.

After 8-weeks in foster care, three healthy, fat, social and very, very fluffy kittens returned to the shelter, ready for adoption. All three kittens were immediately adopted into permanent, responsible and loving homes. Prior to leaving with their new families, they were spayed/neutered, vaccinated, de-wormed, micochipped, given a collar, id tag and carrier. Awesome!

“Mama Kitty” remained in her foster home. The sassy, sweet young female cat had become quite comfortable and attached to her foster family and the other animals in the household.

Mama Kitty the cat once trapped inside a duct taped cardboard box and abandoned in the middle of an intersection – was adopted by her foster family - WHS staff members Dana Berger and her son Kyle.

Now named Willow, this lucky little feline spends her day sunning herself on top of her favorite cat tree, playing with her new cat brother Rey, tolerating her new dog siblings and rolling in a pinch of catnip now and then. Her new family loves her very much… and she loves them too. Awesome!

Willow, living the good life in her new home

3 kittens resting comfortably in their foster home. All 3 kittens were adopted into loving new homes

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“FREE CAT” THE STORY OF WILLOW

The actual box that Willow was found inside -duct taped up and left in the middle of an intersection

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Check out our website, www.whatcomhumane.org for updates and schedules of our ongoing humane education programs for kids ages 6 - 18. A few of our current programs include:

Humane Education Programs Offered at WHS

Safety Around Dogs

Bountiful Bunnies & Radical Rats

Wild About Birds

Pet Communication Workshops

Pet First Aid & CPR

To learn more about our ongoing humane education programs or to schedule a classroom visit or group tour of our new shelter facility, contact Krista Unser at (360)733-2080, ext # 3060 or email: outreach@whatcomhumane.org.

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COLD WEATHER PET CARE TIPSCold weather has arrived in Whatcom County, bringing chilly temperatures and rain, wind and snow for the next few months. The Whatcom Humane Society (WHS) wants to help pet owners keep their animals safe, dry and healthy during the winter season by following a few simple guidelines.

Don’t leave animals outdoors for extended periods of time. Shorthaired, very young and very old animals are extremely susceptible to the elements including rain, sleet, snow and wind.

If you must leave a dog outdoors, the dog must be protected by a dry, draft-free doghouse that is large enough for the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold in his/her body heat. The doghouse should be turned to face away from the wind and raised a few inches off the ground.

The Whatcom Humane Society has a limited number of free doghouses available to pets of residents in need. Doghouses are availabe at the shelter on a first-come, first-serve basis. WHS also accepts donations of new or used dog houses for this program.

Pets that spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes the animal’s energy. Routinely check your pets water dish to make sure the water does not freeze.

Livestock animals need extra grain, hay and a source for water. Wind and rain proof jackets or blankets should be provided for horses, goats and other animals at risk in the elements. All outdoor livestock should have access to a dry, draft-free shelter.

Warm engines in parked cars can attract cats and small wildlife that crawl up under the hood to stay warm. Before starting your car, bang on the hood to scare any animals away.

Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pets feet. Wipe your animals feet off with a damp cloth after walks or outdoor exercise.

Antifreeze is a deadly poison, but has a sweet taste that attracts animals. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze out of reach of all domestic and wild animals.

If you are aware of an animal in need or that is kept outdoors without proper shelter from the elements, please contact the Whatcom Humane Society Animal Control & Rescue Department at (360)733-2080, ext # 3017 or your local animal control agency (if you live outside of Whatcom County) for assistance immediately. WHS can help direct you to the animal control agency in your community.

Wish List ► Postage stamps — both first class and post card

► New cat toys and catnip

► Donated “air miles” to send staff to training conferences (please check with the airline for their policy regarding donated miles)

► Blankets & towels (no electric blankets please) & Bathmats

► Paper towels & Newspapers ( minus the ads please)

► Dog walking harnesses — Gentle Leader easy walk harnesses, sensi-harnesses for dog walking and training — all sizes, but especially L & XL

► Sturdy dog leashes and flat buckle collars

► Hay, straw and grain for horses and other livestock

► White and colored copy paper for our copy machine

► New and quality used rubber stall mats for our farm facility

► New dog toys and treats

► Art supplies for humane education programs (new or quality used)

► Quality new or used tractor

► Large stall mats, head halters and lead ropes for the horses and livestock at our farm facility

► Unopened bags and cans of dog & cat food (any brand!)

► Hamster, rabbit, guinea pig and domestic rat food and treats

► Quality new or used laptop or desktop computers

► New or used dog houses for animal control & rescue

► Gift Cards to any of the following businesses: PetStop in Sehome Village, Costco, Home Depot, Lowes, Whatcom Farmers Co-op, Joanne Fabric, Michaels, Fred Meyer or Haggen Food & Pharmacy

► Cat scratchers and clumping cat litter (Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract brand especially appreciated)

For more information: please contact Krista Unser at (360)733-2080 or email outreach@whatcomhumane.org. Check out our amazon.com wish list! Visit amazon.com, “gifts & wish lists” then type in Whatcom Humane.

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HOLIDAY TEA & OPEN HOUSESaturday, December 7th

Noon – 6pm

WHATCOm HUmANE SOCIETY 2172 Division Street, Bellingham

Stop by our beautiful new shelter facility and celebrate the holiday season.

£ Refreshments £ Shelter Tours £ Meet the Staff

£ Animals Available For Adoption£ Holiday Cheer £ And More!

Save the Date!Mark your 2014 calendars with these upcoming fun and fabulous WHS fundraisers.

February 28th...........................................WHS Wine Raffle & PartyBellingham Cruise Terminal

march 14th.......................WHS Woof & Whisker Awards LuncheonNorthwood Hall, Bellingham

For more information, including event sponsorship opportunities, please contact Dana Browne at (360)733-2080, ext # 3014 or email: events@whatcomhumane.org

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BELLINGHAM - In Washington State, if you strike a cop, a nurse or a school bus mechanic, it's a felony.

But grabbing an animal control officer by the shoulders and throwing her to the ground? A misdemeanor.

Jaime Matthew Henifin, 54, did just that to an animal control officer in March and spent less than four hours in jail for the crime. He won't serve any more time behind bars because of an undisclosed medical condition.

To Laura Clark, director of the Whatcom Humane Society, it's case in point of a loophole in state law. Henifin, she said, got a "slap on the wrist" this week when he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault, a gross misdemeanor, for attacking Officer Katy Barnes.

On March 29, animal control officers Vicky Gibbons and Barnes responded to a citizen's report of a dog wandering in the street in the 3800 block on Hannegan Road. The dog, Taz, a German shepherd mix, wasn't wearing a collar, according to the humane society. So the uniformed officers leashed him and looked around for the owner.

Henifin's daughter came over and tried to take the dog. But she wouldn't identify herself, Clark said. Gibbons refused to hand over the dog. Then Henifin, the dog's owner, rushed over without saying who he was. Barnes - who is 5-foot-1 and weighs 105 pounds - stepped between Henifin and Taz. In court Monday, Sept. 9, Barnes said he shoved her down and pinned her to the ground. A witness told police he helped to "get (Henifin) off of" Barnes.

The dog ran off and Henifin gave chase.

At the sentencing hearing Monday afternoon, Henifin's attorney, Jeff Lustick, claimed animal control had harassed Henifin in the preceding months, and it culminated with the assault. Taz has terminal cancer, and animal control had been called by concerned citizens several times to check on the dog's health. Less than 24 hours before Henifin lashed out, the humane society had been called to check on the dog. Lustick called it an "onslaught" and a "heavy-handed government intrusion." (Barnes didn't know Henifin, so she didn't make the connection between him and his dog, according to the humane society.)

Municipal Court Judge Debra Lev ruled Henifin, who survived cancer himself and has health problems, can serve 50 hours of community service, rather than five days in a jail cell. He gave the judge a doctor's note to show her he's not able to serve the time.

"Apparently," Clark said, "he was medically sound enough to assault my officer but not well enough to serve time in jail."

At the court hearing Henifin apologized to the officer. Henifin emailed the following statement to The Bellingham Herald: "This was an unfortunate situation for my family, my pet, and I. It is an example of an agency's employees misusing their authority; harassing a private citizen, and then exaggerating the incident. Nonetheless, we made repeated attempts to mediate and resolve the issue directly with the prosecutor and individual employees involved. I am satisfied with the final outcome of my case."

Revised Code of Washington 9A.36.031 makes it a felony to assault uniformed police, firefighters, health care workers and school employees. But prosecutors never filed felony assault charges because it appears animal control officers - although they are contracted to enforce laws

SUDDEN VALLEY mAN GETS 'SLAP ON THE WRIST' FOR ASSAULTING ANImAL CONTROL OFFICERNOTE: This article was originally published: September 11, 2013 By CALEB HUTTON — THE BELLINGHAm HERALD, www.bellinghamherald.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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TOP 5 “ODD ANIMALS” WHS HAS RECEIVED IN 2013As an open-admission facility, WHS turns no animal away. According to a WHS staff survey, below are the top 5 “oddest” animals received at the shelter this year.

involving animals in Whatcom County and other counties around the state - didn't make the cut.

Sheriff Bill Elfo agrees with Clark that state law should give animal control the same legal protection as other law officers.

"Certainly those animal control officers go out into the field every day, getting warrants for our deputies and assisting us in criminal investigations," he said.

Elfo plans to work with Clark and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to push for an amendment to the RCW.

In the meantime the humane society, through private donations, has bought Kevlar body armor for animal control. That's not a reaction to the Henifin incident, but Barnes and her fellow officers often get called out to rural Whatcom County - where guns are more common - to help sheriff's deputies with corralling or confiscating animals. And given the strong emotions people have about their pets, the job can get dangerous.

"The animals are the easy part," Clark said. "It's the people."

SUDDEN VALLEY mAN GETS 'SLAP ON THE WRIST' FOR ASSAULTING ANImAL CONTROL OFFICERNOTE: This article was originally published: September 11, 2013 By CALEB HUTTON — THE BELLINGHAm HERALD, www.bellinghamherald.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

58 foot Boa Constrictor named Thor

Monitor Lizard

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Albino Peacock

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Hairless Rat

DOA Alligator picked up by animal control (photo not available)

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You "auto" donate your old car, truck, boat, boathouse, RV or trailer for the animals at the Whatcom Humane Society. All donated vehicles must be in good running condition - no "junkers" please! Your donation is tax deductible and will help support the programs and services that WHS provides all year long. For more information please contact Laura Clark at (360) 733 - 2080, ext. #3026 or email director@whatcomhumane.org

You Auto Donate!

“Friend” us on Facebook & Twitter

“Friend” us on Facebook & Twitter! Become a “fan” of the WHS Facebook and Twitter page and receive updates

on what is going on at our shelter and the latest up-to-date information on animal-related

issues in our community. *************************

Want to receive the latest WHS news via email? Sign up & join our

email newsletter list. Email your address to: admin@whatcomhumane.org. in the “message” line, type “join

email news list.” Thanks!

HOLIDAY SHOPPING SPECIALS Paws Awhile, the eclectic gift shop of the Whatcom Humane Society will be offering amazing holiday shopping specials. Visit the store and check out the great merchandise. New items, quality used items, antiques, jewelry, unique cards, gifts, seasonal, pet themed, and more. 100% of proceeds benefit the Whatcom Humane Society.

• November 24th – November 30th . . . . . . . . . .50% off ALL donated items

• December 1st – December 7th . . . . . . . . . . . . .25% off ALL jewelry

• December 8th – December 14th . . . . . . . . . . .25% off ALL tea towels, aprons & mug mats

• December 15th – December 21st . . . . . . . . .25% off ALL bags and purses

• Holiday themed items will be marked down throughout the holiday season.

• Check the WHS Facebook page for special holiday sales and promotions

2014 WHS Event Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsoring a Whatcom Humane Society event is a great way to market and advertise your business to thousands of animal lovers in the community.

Our annual fundraising events are designed to be diverse, FUN, exciting, inspiring, educational, and build community awareness about issues involving animals in our community and beyond. Monies raised from each event are vital to our annual operating budget.

2014 WHS fundraising events include: • Woof & Whiskers Awards Luncheon • Dog Days of Summer Run/Walk & Festival• masquerade Gala Auction• Happy Tails Calendar• Wine Raffle/Party• Putt Fore Pets Golf Tournament• And more!

Sponsorship opportunities range from $250 - $3,000.

For more information about WHS events and/or event sponsorship opportunities, please contact Dana Browne at (360)733-2080, ext # 3014 or email: events@whatcomhumane.org

1200 10th Street Suite 105

Historic Fairhaven

Open Every Day 11am – 5pm (360) 752-2970