About the Humane Society of Mason County
Mission Statement | Plan | Our Team | Our Story | FAQs | Newsletter
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missionThe Humane Society of Mason County is a non-profit organization providing assistance and care to displaced or abused animals including control of pet and feral population. Additionally, the organization is working to provide an animal shelter for unwanted companion animals.
planThe Humane Society of Mason County (HSMC) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves the Mason County area of Washington State. Objectives
It is our sincere desire to provide aid when needed and to create opportunities for these needy animals to have a second chance at life. |
our team
Our Board of Directors
Our Board is all-volunteer and meets the first Thursday of each month. We welcome volunteers and animal lovers to join us.
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Katherine Johnson, her husband and two young children own a small farm in Belfair. Always busy fostering, trapping feral cats, transporting and educating the public. Katherine has always been a full time animal advocate. She has been on the board of several non-profit rescue groups for a variety of different animal species. Though Katherine has helped many animals large and small, her biggest passion is spay and neuter. She has spent thousands of hours over the course of 10 plus years providing trap, neuter and return services everywhere in Kitsap and Mason county. Though many of Katherine’s days are spent helping cats, her children, dogs and horses are where she spends most of her time at home. Katherine joined the HSMC board in November 2020.
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Scott Gordon has lived in Mason County most of his life. Prior to moving here full time in the early 1980's, he vacationed here on Hood Canal with his family. He graduated from North Mason High School and Olympic College. Scott is currently retired from the Washington State Patrol where he was a Sergeant. During his career he spent 8 years as an Explosive Detection K-9 Handler where he trained and worked 2 separate dogs. Prior to his State Patrol career, he spent 2 years as a Reserve Deputy with the Mason County Sheriff's Department and also worked as an Animal Control Officer with the Kitsap County Humane Society. There he worked in the kennels, enforced county as well as municipal laws related to animals, and completed animal cruelty investigations. Scott currently works for himself in real estate development. He resides in Twanoh Falls Beach Club where he is currently the board President and manages the water system. He has always had dogs as pets throughout his life and sees the need for an organized Humane Society in Mason County. |
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Lynda Haskell has lived in Seattle most of her life, until recently moving to Lakeland Village in Allyn to begin her retirement. She has been an accountant for over 20 years and now works part time from home.
Both Lynda and Tim (her husband) were also surprised to find out the great need of an animal shelter in Mason County. They are currently foster parents for the cat & kitten program, enjoy giving and receiving all the love and rewards these wonderful animals bring to our lives. With her love of dogs, cats and horses, it has always been a dream to help find forever homes for animals in need. |
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Sally Cull moved to Washington State in 1989 from New Jersey. She was a laboratory technician for the State of Washington Department of Ecology at the environmental lab in Manchester for 21 years and is now retired. Before that, she was a veterinary technician from 1976 to 1987 after receiving certified training in Blackwood, New Jersey. She moved here in 1989 with her husband and son who had recently graduated high school so they could explore new opportunities.
Sally and her family always had dogs and enjoyed them in activities like camping and hiking. She loves the weather and scenery of the Pacific Northwest. She did some volunteer work with the Humane Society in the late '90's and early 2000's then left to take care of her ailing husband. She returned in 2014 and is the present office manager. Sally enjoys living with and training dogs and wants to stay active in her community through helping and educating the public about dog care and ownership. |
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Cathy Gatto Kravitz loves dogs (and donkeys and horses), and her husband, children and grandchildren. Cathy grew up in Bremerton, graduated from UW and moved to Alaska. She lived in Alaska for 35 years, raising a family and many critters. When Cathy returned to WA in 2012, she realized that Mason County had little to care for unwanted animals. She joined the Humane Society to help right this wrong.
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Tina Whittemore has lived in Washington most of her life. She grew up on a family farm in Orting and moved to the Key Peninsula in 1994. Tina worked for a medical lab as a Financial Analyst for 25 years, while raising two wonderful children. She then opened a dog boarding facility, which has been operating since 2012. She has always been an advocate for animals and has extensive volunteer history with several rescues locally. Tina is the Surrender Coordinator for Woof Project Rescue (Belgian Malinois), and assists with reuniting lost and found animals in Kitsap, Mason, and Pierce counties. Tina has trapped countless dogs, assisting with reunification, and or rehoming. Tina once drove a dog 400 miles to reunite the pup with her family! In Tina's spare time you may find her, her husband and dogs hiking in the woods, or heading down the trail on horseback. Tina joined the board for the Humane Society because Mason County has little to offer for animal services and she believes through education and community involvement we can work together to make a better place for displaced and animals in need.
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our story
Past | Present | Future
HistoryThe Humane Society of Mason County was founded in 1986 by a group of dedicated volunteers, many animals have been fostered over the years.
Starting in December 2004, in response to community need and spearheaded by a local veterinarian, efforts to revitalize the organization began. We have many local supporters, a volunteer network and a strong plan for the future of the Humane Society of Mason County. |
TodayOne of our current goals is the construction of a permanent shelter facility on a five acre parcel purchased near North Mason High School. With the construction of a centrally located shelter, we would be able to serve more county residents and have a location for our shelter building, adoption center, medical clinic and educational center. In November 2020, we completed the clearing of the property and fencing.
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TomorrowWe are building in stages, as building a shelter that will benefit the community for years to come is expensive. Stage one and two have been completed with the installation of a well, clearing and fencing of the property. Our next stage is to hydro seed to prevent erosion, and then to get the design work of the power completed. For the most up to date information, please visit our shelter page, click here.
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We are excited to finally get this undertaking started. It has been many years in the making and we welcome any volunteers interested in helping us raise funds or contribute building expertise toward this goal.
Contact us for more information at 360-275-9310, via email at info@hsmcwa.org
Contact us for more information at 360-275-9310, via email at info@hsmcwa.org
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is The Humane Society of Mason County? Where is your shelter?
The Humane Society of Mason County was founded in 1986 by a small group of caring citizen who banded together to assist animals in need and thus founded a non-profit organization they called The Humane Society of Mason County. This small grassroots group centered its work on fostering homeless pets and finding them appropriate "forever" homes. For many years, The Humane Society had donated its time and energy to helping many animals in need, and in 2004 it was determined that a proper "Brick and Mortar" shelter was considered necessary to continue their work. The plan was created and put into action to build a no-kill shelter to care for the many homeless, neglected and abused animals with little or no place to go. Currently our county's small shelters and rescue groups are overwhelmed and sadly, many of these adoptable pets end up in facilities which have limited space and do not subscribe to a "no-kill" philosophy.
Today the Humane Society is moving ever closer to realizing its dream. This animal shelter will be centrally located in Mason County and will be designed to offer not only a safe haven for needy animals, but also serve as a location for adoptions, low cost spay and neuter assistance, and provide other needed services to our community.
Today the Humane Society is moving ever closer to realizing its dream. This animal shelter will be centrally located in Mason County and will be designed to offer not only a safe haven for needy animals, but also serve as a location for adoptions, low cost spay and neuter assistance, and provide other needed services to our community.
What is your role in helping animals in Mason County?
The Humane Society of Mason County has been working hard for many years to establish a large "no-kill" shelter facility. As we continue moving forward with our goal of building our shelter we will continue to push forward and educate the public on animal welfare issues and provide assistance for those in our coommuity with our low costs spay and neuter program.
Our philosophy surrounding "no-kill" shelters stems from a belief that all animals have a right to live! It is our sincere desire to set this higher standard for pet life and implement the necessary educational programs and solutions to make that happen.
Our philosophy surrounding "no-kill" shelters stems from a belief that all animals have a right to live! It is our sincere desire to set this higher standard for pet life and implement the necessary educational programs and solutions to make that happen.
Where does the money I give the HSMC go?
A portion of all money donated to the HSMC goes into our Capital Building Campaign Fund. All other money is goes towards supporting our community programs.
Is the Humane Society of Mason County affiliated with any other Humane Society?
No. The Humane Society of Mason County is a private 501 C 3 Non-Profit Organization which relies entirely on generous donations, contributions, in-kind gifts, small grants and friends to support our many efforts. The HSMC is not affiliated with any other Humane Society. It is important to understand that, although you may already contribute to The Humane Society of the United States, this organization is not affiliated with any other independent Humane Society in our country and, thus, we do not receive any funding from this organization.
What do I do if I have to re-home my Cat or Dog?
Because the Humane Society does not have a shelter location we are not able to take in any animals at this time. We can educate you on alternative solutions and refer you to comprehensive network of other foster homes, rescue groups and neighboring shelters, including Kitsap Humane Society, and Kitten Rescue and Adopt A Pet of Shelton.
What do I do if I find a lost Cat or Dog?
Check the resource page of our website for options. You are welcome to call our office at 360-275-9310 for more information. Our office is staffed by volunteers and is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 1pm.
How does The Humane Society of Mason County feel about breeders?
Many times we are faced with questions about our position regarding the "breeding" of animals. Because we are an advocate for the reduction in the number of animals euthanized each year in the United States our position is strongly in favor of spaying and neutering of all pets! Each year, millions of animals are killed needlessly, many of which were breed as investments, etc. and many more were "accidents" which could have been avoided. The Humane Society of Mason County supports all efforts made by responsible breeders who set standards on spaying and neutering of their puppies and kittens, who educate about proper pet care and the reality of the life long commitment they must be willing to make when purchasing an animal specifically bred for them.
What do I do if there is a vicious dog in my neighborhood?
In the event you have an encounter with a vicious or dangerous animal of any kind, DO NOT approach the animal, and contact animal control immediately! Mason County Animal Control can be reached at: (360) 275-4467 Ext.313
Does the Humane society of mason county offer help with feral/stray cats?
Yes, we do! Because Mason County has many acres of rural countryside, it is a perfect haven for feral or stray cats. Feral cats tend to live in what is referred to as a "cat colony" which can number anywhere from 2 cats to 20+. Cat colonies are primarily made up of female cats with roaming male "toms" who visit occasionally to impregnate mature females; it is a situation that can easily get out of control.
Assistance is available through feral cat trap, neuter and release programs (TNR), including our own TNR program at HSMC. These programs do not take in feral cats, nor do they find homes for strays. They work in conjunction with you to humanely trap, offer spay and neuter assistance and then return them to be released. As a result, these cats can live out their rest of their lives without the burden of potential disease transition, starvation due to resource depletion, death by predation, or euthanasia at a shelter since this type of wild/feral cats is not suitable to be adopted as a family pet.
For more information about our Feral Cat Program, please contact our office at 360-275-9310 or email us at info@hsmcwa.org and one of our volunteers will be happy to assist you and tell you more about our program.
Assistance is available through feral cat trap, neuter and release programs (TNR), including our own TNR program at HSMC. These programs do not take in feral cats, nor do they find homes for strays. They work in conjunction with you to humanely trap, offer spay and neuter assistance and then return them to be released. As a result, these cats can live out their rest of their lives without the burden of potential disease transition, starvation due to resource depletion, death by predation, or euthanasia at a shelter since this type of wild/feral cats is not suitable to be adopted as a family pet.
For more information about our Feral Cat Program, please contact our office at 360-275-9310 or email us at info@hsmcwa.org and one of our volunteers will be happy to assist you and tell you more about our program.
i need to spay or neutuer my pet, can humane society of mason county help?
The Humane Society of Mason County has a spay and neuter program to assist residents of Mason County. Visit our Programs page for more information.
