 Times are tough for many folks, with the steadily increasing cost of living and the government shutdown that has affected so many. At HSMC, we understand the deep bond shared between a pet and their person. EVERYONE benefits when animals are kept in loving homes. Pets: Quite simply, a pet is happiest when they are able to stay with the people they know and love. Moving an animal from their family into an unknown environment, even a loving foster home, is stressful for that pet. People: Having to say goodbye to a beloved pet because of financial challenges is heartbreaking. Being able to continue providing their care is not only comforting for the pet but also for their person. Community: Our region, and the entire country, is facing an overwhelming animal welfare crisis. More animals need homes than the number of adopters available. Keeping pets and people together is not only the most compassionate, animal- and people-focused solution, but it's also necessary given the lack of space shelters and rescues are experiencing.  This beautiful kitty came to HSMC through our Last Litter Program. Born to an outdoor community cat, Jasper and his siblings were sick with parvo but survived and are now available for adoption. His mom was successfully spayed and returned to her territory. The Humane Society of Mason County is committed to keeping pets and their people together. In fact, we offer many programs and resources to support our community and their pets.  Pet Food & Supplies: Through our relationship with local food banks, HSMC offers pet food and supplies for over 500 families every week! We also host regular pop-up give-away events (top photo) to support pets in need. Low-cost Spay/Neuter Surgery: One of the best ways we can support our community is by providing affordable spay/neuter services, which not only ends the cycle of unwanted births, but this surgery also prevents many life-threatening and expensive future health concerns and reduces some behavioral issues.  Wellness Veterinary Care: As we have the capacity, we provide veterinary care for our community's pets in need, including addressing skin issues, ear infections, and more specialized care, such as eye enucleations (necessary medical removal). Temporary Foster Care: When someone from our community is in crisis, often because of a home fire or domestic violence situation, we are able to provide temporary care for their pets through our Animal Safety Network. TNR & Last Litter Programs: Sadly, unexpected litters are incredibly common in our community, both from owned pets as well as community/feral cats. HSMC offers support by assisting with Trap, Neuter (and spay), Return efforts. We also accept puppies and kittens into our care through our Last Litter program, where mom is spayed and returned to the owner. 
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 Handsome Harstine, with one adorable floppy ear, is looking for a calm home with a loving person who will help give him confidence.
He tries to be brave, but this big 83-pounder is a wimp! He's a homebody who is scared of car rides. He will THRIVE in a country setting with a fully secure fence where he can relax and play without lots of scary noises. He loves to chase a ball but doesn't understand the concept of returning it. Silly boy! Cats are scary, though he did go nose to nose with one once and he somehow lived to tell the tale! Actually, he lives with a cat and has been around horses. He doesn't show interest in either. He has spent time with dogs of all sizes and might enjoy a canine friend. New people are scary, but after some time he warms up and feels more comfortable. Harstine is a sweet, sensitive boy. This large lap dog would love to be the center of someone's universe. He's looking for someone who will love him with patience as he learns that the world doesn't have to be so scary.  Happy one year FOSTER ANNIVERSARY to Candice and her family! We're so thankful to have you on the team!
 Thank you for your support! Monday, these five scared kittens were left abandoned on our front porch. Yesterday, 29 animals came into our care. It's easy to see how great the need for animal support is in our community. We are honored to be a beacon of hope for these pets. So far this year, we have saved 1,065 animals through rescue, placement and adoption. What does this mean? Over one thousand animals have received love and medical care, comfort and food, socialization and compassion. They have all been given a second chance.  This achievement was made possible through your support. Thank you for partnering with us - as a donor, volunteer, foster, team member, business partner, board member, adopter, and cheerleader! Because of you, we have expanded our capacity for care by adding staff and work space, which includes an intake exam room and a free-roaming cat room. We continue to grow our foster program, including additional training for special care needs. As the cost of living continues to rise, the need for our services increases. With your support, we are committed to growing sustainably to better meet those needs. With three more months to go this year, we expect to FAR EXCEED the 934 animals saved in 2024.  This isn't just a celebration of numbers. Every number represents an animal we have fallen in love with, nursed back to health, and taught that humans can be trusted. Last week, we celebrated the adoption of Georgia and Kentucky, two teens who were abandoned at our back door five months ago. Both girls were quite shy, but after spending time in the HSMC cat room where staff and volunteers helped them begin to trust humans, the kitties "graduated" to PetSmart in Silverdale. After only a week, the girls caught the eye of a sweet couple eager to give them the life they deserve, full of love and lots of play time (feather toys are their favorite!). YOU make all this possible!
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| After many visits, Angela was ready to begin fostering Dorothy, which would allow them more time together while we helped address any challenges Dorothy faced during the transition. However, before Dorothy could head to her new home, we needed to build her a fence. Angela is in a temporary house until her new home is ready, and her rental doesn't have fencing. We're grateful to have the best team of volunteers! Once they learned of this need, one volunteer loaned us all the supplies and two others installed the temporary fencing. |  |
Dorothy's transition to her new home went better than expected. She jumped onto the bed as soon as she walked in, knowing that this was it...her forever. After a couple of weeks in foster without issue, Angela has made it official!
After 311 days in care, Dorothy has been adopted! To honor her new life, she is now called Trinity.
After 311 days in care, Dorothy has been adopted! To honor her new life, she is now called Trinity.
THANK YOU
Thank you to our donors, volunteers, and staff/vet team who all played a part in helping heal Dorothy's shattered body and broken spirit.
Thank you to Angela for your commitment to this beautiful survivor who is already thriving in her new life! We wish you great happiness and love.
Thank you to Angela for your commitment to this beautiful survivor who is already thriving in her new life! We wish you great happiness and love.
VIDEO: Dorothy, now Trinity's first trip to the beach!
Kimberly Wallencheck (left in above photo) began fostering for HSMC in 2023 and has since fostered over 60 animals!
"I have fostered parvo puppies, ringworm kittens, bottle babies, URI kittens, panleukopenia kittens, and lots of babies with the poops! I have learned things I never could have imagined and more every day!," Kimberly tells us.
And with all those cats and dogs, Kimberly has somehow only foster failed twice. Kimberly shares, "I am impressed with my restraint! I could have easily failed dozens of times!"
Kimberly volunteers in our office weekly, helping with data entry and customer support, primarily. She also serves as adoption counselor and helps with our events.
"I have fostered parvo puppies, ringworm kittens, bottle babies, URI kittens, panleukopenia kittens, and lots of babies with the poops! I have learned things I never could have imagined and more every day!," Kimberly tells us.
And with all those cats and dogs, Kimberly has somehow only foster failed twice. Kimberly shares, "I am impressed with my restraint! I could have easily failed dozens of times!"
Kimberly volunteers in our office weekly, helping with data entry and customer support, primarily. She also serves as adoption counselor and helps with our events.
One of Kimberly's passions, and a very important role with HSMC, is TNR. Thanks to a grant from Ashley's Kitten Academy, Kimberly has been actively trapping community cats this summer.
 | Trap, Neuter, Return 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. With so many large communities of cats in Mason County, TNR is a valuable way to help reduce pet overpopulation and prevent illness and disease. |
So far this year, we have spayed/neutered 399 feral/community cats!
We treat all our animals with great care. Trapped kitties awaiting surgery will have a blanket covering their cage to help reduce stress (above photo). And after surgery, kitties are wrapped in a "purrito" to stay warm during recovery.
We treat all our animals with great care. Trapped kitties awaiting surgery will have a blanket covering their cage to help reduce stress (above photo). And after surgery, kitties are wrapped in a "purrito" to stay warm during recovery.
Monthly donations are the backbone of our rescue work, helping us respond to emergencies, provide consistent medical care, and plan for the future. Every dollar makes a difference. Become a "Friend" of HSMC by joining our monthly giving program, and help us save lives all year long!
The kitties that we recently rescued from the overcrowded home in Mason County (with 81 cats!) are now available for adoption. As you can imagine, their lack of socialization has left them a bit timid, but they're all the sweetest, most gentle cats!
In fact, check out this video of Ziggy that just might make you a little teary-eyed! Ziggy was quite nervous when he first arrived in foster. But after lots of patience and love, he has decided that his foster mom gives the best love! Just listen to that purr while this little guy is making biscuits to rival the best bakers in town!
Ziggy and his brother Patches are looking for a home together. When they aren't snoozing in their favorite perches or getting snuggles from their fosters, they love to wrestle and play! Here's a video of Patches with one of his favorite toys.
In fact, check out this video of Ziggy that just might make you a little teary-eyed! Ziggy was quite nervous when he first arrived in foster. But after lots of patience and love, he has decided that his foster mom gives the best love! Just listen to that purr while this little guy is making biscuits to rival the best bakers in town!
Ziggy and his brother Patches are looking for a home together. When they aren't snoozing in their favorite perches or getting snuggles from their fosters, they love to wrestle and play! Here's a video of Patches with one of his favorite toys.
  | Dotty and Slate also came from this same home and will appreciate some time to settle into their new family. They are younger, mostly likely around a year or less, and enjoy time with the people they love once they feel comfortable. These girls enjoy being around other cats and have even spent time with a calm dog and done well. Dotty is such a petite kitty, and Slate has the cutest underbite! |
During the month of August, we participated in Clear The Shelters, a nationwide campaign to encourage animal adoption from shelters and rescues across the country.
Given the large number of animals in care during the summer, this was a great time to offer reduced adoption fees - 50% off teen/adult cats and 50% off the second kitten when adopted in pairs.
During the adoption process, our trained volunteer counselors spend time in conversation with each applicant. We discuss their lifestyle, family and home environment to determine which pet might be a good match. We share helpful information on kitten 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.
Given the large number of animals in care during the summer, this was a great time to offer reduced adoption fees - 50% off teen/adult cats and 50% off the second kitten when adopted in pairs.
During the adoption process, our trained volunteer counselors spend time in conversation with each applicant. We discuss their lifestyle, family and home environment to determine which pet might be a good match. We share helpful information on kitten 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.
Let's Celebrate!
In August, a whopping 153 animals found their forever homes! This is about the same number of adoptions we saw in June and July combined.
We love when kittens are adopted together. In fact, we require that all kittens adopted from us go home with a compatible feline friend for their social development and general well-being. This past month, we had four families who took it a step further and adopted THREE kittens each! We can only imagine how fun their houses must be right now!
In addition to offering discounted adoption fees, we also began a partnership with PetSmart in Silverdale and hosted open houses at our adoption center in Belfair.
And though our Clear the Shelters discounts are no longer available, we are continuing the reduced adoption fees for select pets, so please spread the word that we have great animals still looking for their forever families.
We love when kittens are adopted together. In fact, we require that all kittens adopted from us go home with a compatible feline friend for their social development and general well-being. This past month, we had four families who took it a step further and adopted THREE kittens each! We can only imagine how fun their houses must be right now!
In addition to offering discounted adoption fees, we also began a partnership with PetSmart in Silverdale and hosted open houses at our adoption center in Belfair.
And though our Clear the Shelters discounts are no longer available, we are continuing the reduced adoption fees for select pets, so please spread the word that we have great animals still looking for their forever families.
 | We're grateful for our long-standing partnership with Ziggy's Cat Lounge in Bremerton. In their first two years, Ziggy's helped adopt 714 HSMC cats! Let's show them our support!
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HSMC Rescues 81 Cats in a Home in Mason County from Heartbreaking Hoarding Case
Over the past three weeks, the Humane Society of Mason County (HSMC) has worked closely with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office to remove 81 cats from a local home.
For years, this home was known for giving away free, sickly kittens throughout the community. We reached out numerous times to offer support but were turned down each and every time.
The cats were living in filthy, overcrowded conditions, left to breed unchecked, without ever receiving veterinary care.
With shelters across the region already at or over capacity, finding space for this many animals felt nearly impossible.
Still, we moved forward, knowing that we needed to act NOW. Over multiple trips, HSMC staff and Sheriff’s deputies spent more than 21 hours on site, carefully locating and safely removing cats from every corner of the overcrowded home.
For years, this home was known for giving away free, sickly kittens throughout the community. We reached out numerous times to offer support but were turned down each and every time.
The cats were living in filthy, overcrowded conditions, left to breed unchecked, without ever receiving veterinary care.
With shelters across the region already at or over capacity, finding space for this many animals felt nearly impossible.
Still, we moved forward, knowing that we needed to act NOW. Over multiple trips, HSMC staff and Sheriff’s deputies spent more than 21 hours on site, carefully locating and safely removing cats from every corner of the overcrowded home.
Partnerships make it possible
Thanks to the generosity and grit of several key rescue partners—Kitsap Humane Society, Center Valley Animal Rescue, Seattle Humane, and Pasado’s Safe Haven—we were able to transfer a large number of cats into care. These organizations cleared out medical holding areas just to make room, and we are incredibly grateful.
HSMC still has cats in care from a spring hoarding case where we rescued 46 animals. Cats from overcrowded living situations generally come to us with illnesses or other medical issues that may require an extended stay before they are healthy and ready for adoption.
Most of the cats from this recent case are adults/seniors who are scared and will need time, patience, and veterinary care to recover. Taking on this number of animals has filled every inch of our space, but we are proud to be here for the animals of Mason County when they need us most.
HSMC still has cats in care from a spring hoarding case where we rescued 46 animals. Cats from overcrowded living situations generally come to us with illnesses or other medical issues that may require an extended stay before they are healthy and ready for adoption.
Most of the cats from this recent case are adults/seniors who are scared and will need time, patience, and veterinary care to recover. Taking on this number of animals has filled every inch of our space, but we are proud to be here for the animals of Mason County when they need us most.
After a few days in foster, Patches has come out of hiding to enjoy pets from his foster mom. Watch this video with the sound up high to hear his beautifully croaky motor. Such a purring machine! Patches is one of the most social of the bunch.
The Humane Society of Mason County is able to continue saving lives because of the support of our amazing community.
THANK YOU to our donors, volunteers, and rescue partners for standing beside us as we work to create a safer, more humane world for animals.
We're not kitten around. We've been at war with the spores!
Moe and friends are such fun guys...who also happen to have fungi!
All jokes aside, these little ones had mild signs of ringworm or were exposed to it. Ringworm is a contagious but very treatable fungus, sort of like athlete's foot.
These sweet, absolutely adorable kittens are ready to go into their forever families while they finish their treatment.
We'll provide their adopters with 30 days of medical support, including medication, instructions, and rechecks if needed.
Don't let a little scabby skin come between you and your new best friend!
Moe and friends are such fun guys...who also happen to have fungi!
All jokes aside, these little ones had mild signs of ringworm or were exposed to it. Ringworm is a contagious but very treatable fungus, sort of like athlete's foot.
These sweet, absolutely adorable kittens are ready to go into their forever families while they finish their treatment.
We'll provide their adopters with 30 days of medical support, including medication, instructions, and rechecks if needed.
Don't let a little scabby skin come between you and your new best friend!
Paws in Print
In this blog, you'll find adoption stories to warm your heart, plus news, tips for pet care, and so much more!
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The Humane Society of Mason County
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Office Address
24070 State Route 3 Belfair, WA 98528 |
Office Hours
Monday through Friday 9am - 1pm Adoption by Appointment |
Mailing Address
PO Box 168 Belfair, WA 98528 |
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© 2025 The Humane Society of Mason County
Supporting all of Mason County, including Shelton, Belfair, Allyn, Grapeview, Hoodsport, and Matlock.
Supporting all of Mason County, including Shelton, Belfair, Allyn, Grapeview, Hoodsport, and Matlock.