About

Making a Difference

The Humane Society of Mason County is dedicated to providing a second chance for companion animals. We serve our community through compassionate animal rescue, supportive pet adoption, trap-neuter-return support, and high quality low-cost spay/neuter surgery.

Impact

Animal Rescue

HSMC partners with our community, county agencies, and other rescues to accept animals into our program. These pets might be surrendered by their owners, found as strays, part of a hoarding, neglect or abuse case, or part of our Last Litter program where kittens and puppies come into our care after mom is spayed and returned to her owner. All animals in our care receive a medical exam and necessary treatments to help them live happy and healthy lives, including spay/neuter, vaccines, preventatives and a microchip. Most of our animals live in foster homes until they are adopted.

Pet Adoptions

At HSMC, we believe there’s a perfect match for every pet and every person. Our adoption process is a conversation where we learn about the adopter's lifestyle, family, and living space so we can help them find the right fit. We share helpful information on animal care and safety as well as how to slowly introduce their new pet to other pets in the home and to children. We come alongside our adopters as partners, offering guidance and support to help ensure a successful adoption.

Low-cost Spay/Neuter

Spay/neuter surgery prevents unplanned litters and reduces pet overpopulation, a significant challenge across the country. It also greatly improves an animal’s health by preventing or reducing the risk of certain cancers and infections. Plus, it reduces unwanted behaviors, such as spraying and fighting. The need for low-cost spay/neuter surgeries is significant, especially as the cost for vet care continues to rise. HSMC has expanded our services to accommodate more surgeries each week to better serve our community.

Trap-Neuter-Return

(TNR) is a program in which unsocialized outdoor cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped and returned to the location where they were found. Colony caretakers provide food, water and shelter as necessary. TNR is the most humane and effective method for stabilizing and eventually reducing outdoor cat populations. Left unsterilized, the cats and their offspring would continue to reproduce, potentially introducing thousands of unwanted cats into the community.

Neonatal Foster Care

HSMC works with specially-trained volunteer fosters to provide care for vulnerable babies who come to us at a very young age, some as early as one day old! These fragile animals need round-the-clock care and observation. Our dedicated fosters keep the babies warm in a life-saving incubator. They bottle feed them every two hours, and brush and help them potty just like mom would. Our team works hard to give these babies their strongest chance to survive and thrive.

Animal Safety Network

Life can be unpredictable. When a Mason County resident faces a personal crisis, we provide temporary foster care for their pets through our Animal Safety Network. This program helps families get back on their feet knowing their beloved animals are safe and cared for. HSMC works with care professionals to provide animal support for Mason County residents.

Spay/neuter MASH clinic Feb 2022 at the Salmon Center in Belfair

Foster partnership launched with Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women

Our current spay/neuter clinic at our facility in Belfair

History to Today

The Humane Society of Mason County (HSMC) was founded in 1986 by a group of dedicated volunteers with a heart for animals. In 2022, the organization hired its first three staff members and began leasing space in Belfair that would enable HSMC to better serve the community. That same year, under the leadership of current Executive Director Katherine Johnson, the organization launched a spay/neuter vet clinic, which now operates four days a week and serves over 7,000 clients per year.

As the need for animal welfare services increases, the organization has expanded its capacity to provide care. HSMC partners with foster caregivers to provide quality care in a loving home environment until our animals are adopted. In 2024, we increased the size of our office space in Belfair to include a community cat room, cat condos, an intake room for medical assessments and treatments, and staff working space.

Planning for the Future

We are committed to maintaining a quality foster care program, as we know that animals truly thrive in a loving home environment. However, Mason County must have a dedicated space where animals can be safely housed when an urgent need arises. At present, HSMC is unable to accept stray/abandoned animals unless a foster caregiver is available. Moreover, a shelter facility will allow for proper assessment (both medical and behavioral) before the animal is placed in foster care.

The time and expense required to build an animal shelter is significant. HSMC is committed to meeting the needs of our community at present, while being mindful of this future goal. We continue to grow our capacity for care at a sustainable rate, while we plan for the future. To date, we have purchased property next to the high school in Belfair. That property has been fully fenced, a well has been installed, electricity has been run to the property, and preliminary building plans have been created. We continue to work with the county on the next steps in our plan, including installing a septic system that can accommodate the needs of an animal care facility.

We firmly believe that being fiscally responsible is of utmost importance. We value the donations shared with us and are thoughtful and wise in our spending. A portion of our revenue and gifts are set aside in safe investments to support our future growth. We continue to move closer to making our “Almost Home” shelter a reality and greatly appreciate the community’s support in this lengthy process.

Your Support is Changing Lives

The work we do is made possible because of your generosity. Thank you! Our team diligently applies for applicable grant funding, and while we do recoup some costs through our fees for services, we keep our fees as low as possible to better serve our community. We do not receive any government funding and rely on the support of our community to continue saving lives and completing families.

We are deeply embedded in the fabric of Mason County. Our partnerships with local law enforcement, first responders, and community agencies have made us a trusted resource in both every day and crisis situations. We respond to emergency care needs, cruelty cases, stray animal calls, and hoarding situations. We are committed to "No-Kill," providing lifesaving solutions that prioritize long-term wellbeing for pets and their families. We partner with our adopters, offering guidance and resources to facilitate a successful transition.

The need for animal welfare services continues to grow, particularly as the cost of veterinary care has increased across the region. With your support, we will continue to scale our services to meet the needs of our community.

Saving Lives

Every day, animals come to us broken, scared, and fighting for their lives. At the Humane Society of Mason County, we don’t turn away from the hard cases—we run toward them.

This video shares the emotional heart of what we do: providing urgent medical care, second chances, and unwavering compassion to animals who need us most. From emergency surgeries to critical treatments and long-term rehabilitation, we fight for every life, because every life matters.

Your support makes this work possible. We’re a small but mighty team with a mission to expand access to life-saving care for animals in our community—and we can't do it without you.