WELCOME

Greetings everyone:

OPHS’ Kitty City and Bark House have been busy places! Here is a quick update and an invitation.

Our Halloween Haunted House was a rousing success. Close to 250 folks braved the haunted barn on October 19th (despite the rain) and October 31st…and got some candy as a reward!

Similarly, the meet-and-greet with representatives from other area animal shelters and rescues on November 1st exceeded our expectations. We discussed our challenges and goals (many of which we share), and even began to build/strengthen alliances that we hope will serve us well in the future.

We found homes for 22 cats and kittens in October, including a five-year-old scaredy-cat adopted by my wife and me. Kitty City is at capacity as of this writing, with18 cats and kittens cats available for adoption (the remainder are awaiting neutering). So, if you’re looking for a furry companion, come meet the adorable felines that need a good home...like yours!

Inez Sampson, Hospital Manager at Greywolf Veterinary Hospital, has joined the OPHS Board bringing her wealth of experience in animal care and hospital management. I am disappointed to report, however, that our Treasurer, Gina Luellen, resigned. We will miss not only her expertise with nonprofit accounting, but also her creative thinking and boundless energy. Let us know if you’re interested in being a part of the OPHS Board…we’re especially in need of members with accounting, legal, human resources, communications, and construction experience/skills.

Finally, our efforts to bring Bark House back online are moving forward! Board members and staff have developed a working plan that lays out the steps necessary to make the facility safer for workers and more healthful and supportive for the dogs in our care.

To make sure we’re on-track, we held a public forum focused on the Bark House reopening plan. The meeting occurred on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the Moose Lodge (809 S Pine St, Port Angeles, WA 98362) from 6-8pm. 

Paul Stehr-Green

Board President and Acting Executive Director

Olympic Peninsula Humane Society