Whatcom Humane Society is a non-profit, open-admission animal welfare organization located in Whatcom County in the state of Washington. As the oldest animal welfare institution in Whatcom County, they never turn an animal down regardless of breed, age, health condition, or personality. All are welcome here!
This association cares for a combined 4,500 domestic animals, wildlife, and farm animals each year, and they’re showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. They have three different areas with one for each type of animal:
And each is staffed by volunteers and specialists that can provide their assistance and expertise year-round.
The adoption process at Whatcom Humane Society is as follows:
Congrats! You're now the proud new owner of a fun, furry, four-legged family member.
Whatcom Humane Society adoption applications are located here:
Adoption fees at Whatcom Humane Society are as follows:
Your adoption fee covers spaying/neutering, age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming, microchipping, flea control, and a basic health exam, a certificate for a complimentary health exam with a local veterinarian, and reference material on pet care and training.
Dogs also come with ID tags, a collar, and a leash.
Cats also come with feline leukemia testing and a cardboard carrier.
Our writing team is hard at work researching this shelter's adoption process and fees, so this page will be updated soon!
In the meantime, here's some nice-to-know info that applies to nearly every animal shelter, humane society, and rescue.
Because shelter dogs are full of love!
Is it because they know you saved them and love you harder for it?
I can't say for certain, but yes.
Jokes aside, there are three things all shelter dogs need to thrive in their new home:
Older shelter dogs, generally 1+ years old, may have experienced a lot of trauma, which often results in one of 8 common behavioral issues:
These issues are correctable! Your dog isn't broken, they're just damaged. You can fix them with enough love, patience, and a good training plan.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, finding good dog trainers can be hard. Like everything else, dog training is moving only. but there are great online dog trainers that are proven to work and can help get your new pup on the right path.
You can learn a lot about an animal welfare organization just by looking at their name.
Adoption processes vary drastically from organization to organization, but here are some general tips that apply in most instances. Note that we'll use the term "shelters" here for simplicity but it includes all types of rescue organizations.
If you have any questions about adopting an animal (what you'll need, what to expect, etc.) feel free to contact the PetLists team!
If you're looking to adopt a new dog, our Dog Adoption Guide is a must-read. It has everything you need to know about bringing a shelter dog home:
And we're adding new guides all the time.