Frequently Asked Questions

Adoption

 

What are your hours of operation? 

9:00 am - 4:45 pm, Tuesday through Saturday: Phones are answered, Pet Licensing services, SNAP vouchers and in person donations (both in-kind and monetary) SNAP vouchers: please go here for specific details 

11:00 am until 4:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday: All Pet Adoptions and Pet Surrenders are done by pre-scheduled Appointment Only

We are closed to the public on Sundays and Mondays and the following holidays:  New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. 

What is included in the adoption fee?

Adoption fees include a microchip, spay or neuter, vaccinations, deworming, flea treatment and a wellness check by a participating veterinarian.

Why are small breed dogs more expensive?

Small breeds tend to be highly adoptable and there are fewer available in our area. Their higher adoption fee helps offset the costs of the pets that need to have a reduced fee.

I am looking for a specific breed. What do I do?

We generally have a large selection of mixed breed animals and, on occasion, we have purebreds available. Check our website frequently or check petfinder.com to see what animals are available.

What breeds of dogs will I find when I visit the shelter?

Although we have a wide variety of breeds, you will almost always find a large selection of these breeds and breed mixes: lab, pit bull, terrier, border collie, cattle dog, shepherd.

May I adopt a pet as a gift for someone else?

Adopting a pet is a personal, lifestyle decision, and all potential adopters are carefully counseled by our Adoption Counselors to ensure that the pet and adopter are a good match. If you’re considering adopting a pet as a gift, we recommend that you, instead, purchase a gift certificate. Gift certificates are available at the shelter. Our gift certificates may be redeemed by adopters for any of our adoptable pets!

Can you hold an animal for me?

We do not put "holds" on animals. We take multiple applications on all of the pets in our care and we strive to make the best match possible. We do allow your family to meet an animal multiple times if needed. We will happily discuss your needs at the Meet and Greet with the pet you are interested in.

Surrendering a Pet

Sometimes it is deemed necessary for individuals to surrender an animal. This can often be a difficult and emotional journey. Sometimes a person must move and that move doesn't allow for a person to keep and/or transport a pet. We are here to help. Surrendering an animal to OPHS does not mean we keep the animal for a short period of time. We will find this animal a new home, just as all of our other animals.

It is important that you contact us to make an appointment to surrender you pet.

Please call us at 360-457-8206.

Below is the paperwork to fill out and bring with you when surrendering a dog or cat that allows us to know the animals personality, preferences, and disposition.

Will you charge me if I have to surrender my pet to the Humane Society?

We do not charge a fee for surrendering an animal, however, we appreciate your donation to help care for the animal you are surrendering to the shelter. It costs over $25 per day to care for each pet.

What will happen to my pet if I bring it to the shelter?

If your pet is healthy and adoptable, it will be placed for adoption once it is given a physical exam. If it is ill or has behavioral issues, we will do what we can to treat it and then put it up for adoption. Our staff veterinarian will do an exam, lab work if needed and update core vaccines.  We also deworm and provide flea/tick prevention for each animal and if needed, perform more extensive services. We also work closely with behavior specialists if there are any severe issues. 

Will you euthanize my pet if it is not adopted in a certain number of days?

No. We do not euthanize healthy, adoptable animals for the length of time they’ve been at the shelter or for space.

Can I bring my pet’s favorite toys and/or bed if I surrender it?

Yes. We do everything we can to make your pet comfortable while it is at the shelter.

Can I find out if my pet has been adopted?

Yes. Just give us a call in 10-14 days and we will give you the status of your pet. 

Pet Licenses

Does my dog and/or cat need to be licensed?

Yes. Clallam County requires that all dogs and cats over the age of six months are licensed.

I received a tag from my veterinarian, isn’t that the pet’s license?

No, that is your pet’s rabies tag. A license can be purchased at either of the OPHS shelter locations: Kitty City Cat Shelter located at 91 S. Boyce Road in Sequim or at Bark House Dog Shelter located at 1743 Old Olympic Highway in Port Angeles. You can also fill out a form on our Resources page. 

Volunteering

What would I do as a volunteer?

Volunteers assist staff in almost every area of the shelter. They clean, feed, walk and help socialize animals. They also help run special events and fundraisers and perform support duties as needed. 

How do I become a volunteer?

Download and complete a volunteer application. Once you have submitted the application, someone from OPHS will contact you to discuss what you would like to do to help out. We will then schedule an orientation and training session for you at the shelter.

My child is under 16 years old but really wants to help – is there anything they can do?

Yes! Children between the ages of 12 and 15 are welcome to volunteer as long as they are with a parent or legal guardian. Please ask about the Youth Volunteer Application. 

I have Court-Ordered Community Service to complete – can I do it at OPHS?

Yes, you may complete your community service hours at the shelter. To fulfill community service hours, please call us at (360) 457-8206. Community service workers assist with groundskeeping, laundry, cleaning tasks and walking dogs. Please fill out a Volunteer Application and indicate you need to fulfill Community Service Hours. 

General Questions

I don’t support euthanasia, so how can I support you?

We do not believe in euthanizing healthy and adoptable animals due to lack of space or the length of time they’ve been at the shelter. Euthanasia is reserved as a last resort to relieve suffering for the untreatably ill or injured and for very aggressive or potentially dangerous animals as classified by law enforcement.

Is the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society a “no-kill” shelter?

We are a very "high-save" shelter. This means that euthanasia is reserved as a last resort to relieve suffering for the untreatably ill or injured animals or animals that have been determined by law enforcement as highly aggressive and dangerous. We receive approximately 1,500 animals annually. We do not turn away any animal regardless of breed, health or temperament. We are however limited to the available kennel spaces we have.

While “no kill” is a popular phrase in today’s animal welfare environment, its use is misleading. Shelters that call themselves “no kill” limit the number of animals entering their doors. Some of these limited admission shelters close their doors to admissions when their kennels are full. Others charge high surrender fees to keep those who can’t afford the cost of surrendering their animals, and some only accept highly adoptable pets. This leaves the hard to adopt animals behind. This method does not provide a community-wide solution to the pet overpopulation problem and simply pushes the difficult to adopt or unadoptable animals to other area shelters.

How can I make a donation to help the animals in your care?

Click here to make a secure online donation or you can print out a donation form and mail or fax it to us.

Can I rent a trap from OPHS to catch a stray animal?

Yes. If there’s a stray cat in your yard, you may rent a humane cat trap from us. We also have larger dog traps for roaming, stray dogs that may present a challenge to catch by other means or who may present a traffic danger. Traps are available at the shelter for a $50 refundable deposit and a fee of $5 per day. Please call the shelter at (360) 457-8206 for more information.

I found a raccoon under my porch, can you help me?

Any question regarding wildlife should be directed to Fish and Wildlife at (360) 452-3394.

What should I do if I have knowledge of an animal that is being abused or neglected?

If you live in the county, please call Clallam County Animal Control at (360) 417-2259. If you live in the City of Sequim, call the police at (360) 683-7227 and if you live in the City of Port Angeles, call the police at (360) 452-4545.

Pet Emergencies 

Currently there is no emergency vet or 24 hour vet care on the northern Olympic Peninsula. The nearest emergency vets are listed below. If your pet has an emergency during the daytime; you are advised to contact your pet's veterinary hospital. However due to pandemic related issues, many hospitals are not able to work in emergency care. If they are able, this visit may likely cost more than an average exam. In addition, no clinics or hospitals have business hours on the weekends.

Below are some resources in case you need emergency veterinary care. You MUST call before making the trip to any emergency center. All hospitals are now triaging patients: and this can be anywhere from 3-48 hours. Keep in mind: most of these clinics are at least a 2 hour drive from Sequim and Port Angeles. 

Animal Emergency and Specialty Center, Poulsbo, WA  360-697-7771

VCA Central Kitsap Hospital, Silverdale, WA 360-692-6162

Puget Sound Veterinary Specialty and Emergency, Gig Harbor, WA 253-400-5052

 

As of 2023, there are (3) house call vets practicing on the northern Olympic Peninsula. 

Diamond B Veterinary Services, Dr. Tara Black (house calls for companion, farm and livestock animals) 360-912-1864

Trails West Veterinary Services, Dr. Gaelin Arbios (house call euthanasia services only) 360-565-4941

Huckleberry Veterinary Services, Dr. Suzy Zustiak (house calls for companion animals and euthanasia) 360-670-7766

Another option is to become familiar with Pet First Aid practices. Check out the website and the downloadable phone app from the Red Cross. 

Red Cross Logo

Cat and Dog First Aid On-Line Training 

Red Cross Mobile App for Pet Emergencies