 December 31, 2025 As we close out another year, I want to share my heartfelt gratitude with everyone who has walked alongside HSMC. Your time, funding, expertise, and kind words have made a meaningful difference. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your generosity, compassion, and support. Working in animal welfare is challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding. There are sad days when an animal is simply too sick to be saved, and our hearts hurt for those we lose. But those moments are only part of the story. There are also so many moments of hope. Beautiful lives we are able to nurse back to health. Animals who learn what love feels like, gain confidence, and move on to life with families of their own. All lives are precious, and it is a true honor and joy to be part of their journey. It is because of you that we are able to say "yes" to so many animals in need, including my sweet foster Konica, who has been adopted and is living her best life!  UpdateYou may be aware that the Humane Society of Mason County has been in conversation with the City of Shelton to determine how we might partner together to expand animal welfare services in Shelton. The City Council recently conducted a study session to consider this partnership. I hope you'll take the time to watch the video recording of the meeting.  The details of exactly what that partnership would look like is still being discussed, and there is no time frame for when, or if, the partnership would begin. Nevertheless, I think it's important to keep you in the loop and share some of my thoughts. First and foremost, please know that HSMC is committed to Mason County and the surrounding area. We currently serve the residents of Shelton and will continue to do so whether we enter into a partnership with the City of Shelton or not. We are a nonprofit organization, and we currently rely solely on our low services for fees, the grants we diligently apply for, and generous donations. We are committed to fiscal responsibility; to using the funds entrusted to us with wisdom, gratitude and respect. Our organization will continue to grow, and our services will be expanded, as funding allows us to do so. A partnership with the City would enable us to expand our services for that community. Through our established, robust programming, we would be able to provide greater visibility for Shelton's adoptable dogs, reduce length of stay, and ensure quality veterinary care, enrichment and behavioral support, whether those dogs are located at the Shelton shelter facility or in our foster program. This proposal includes an animal welfare officer, a role that is greatly needed, yet is not currently available anywhere within the county. Not only would this position advise on cruelty and neglect cases, and assist with at-large and dangerous dogs, but this person will be a resource for the community, offering education and options for affordable services and solutions. What we're proposing is a true partnership, where the City of Shelton provides a percentage of the funds needed for this program, and we contribute funds as well. We'll have the greatest impact by working together! I'll update you as I know more about this potential partnership. But for now, please know that I'm grateful for your support. HSMC is proud to serve our community, and we are looking forward to growing our capacity for service. The need is so great, but together we are making a real difference! With gratitude,
Katherine Johnson
Executive Director
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 Imagine a world in which all of our community’s pets are safe, healthy and loved. In just three short years, the Humane Society of Mason County has jumped in with both feet, ready to make this vision a reality.Because of your support, we launched a low-cost spay/neuter clinic that has already changed the lives of over 13,000 animals! That means THOUSANDS of pets are no longer adding to the overpopulation crisis. This year alone, our small team of staff, volunteers and fosters has rescued almost 1,400 pets, which includes bottle babies, strays, cats in overcrowded hoarding homes, animals who are injured or sick, birds whose owner passed away, senior pets, and a couple of guinea pigs and rabbits.  Maurice's StoryBy the time Maurice came to HSMC, he was the only survivor in his litter, and he was in rough shape! He had been stepped on and had terrible fractures and contusions. Our skilled vet team (with stabilizing support from the ER vets) helped repair his little body, and his foster family gave him all the love and care he needed to heal. Once he was off kennel rest, Maurice showed off all his pent-up energy by playing hard with every cat, dog and person he could find! What a wonderful sight to see this baby playing! No more broken body, no more fear! Maurice's playful energy resulted in another wonderful success! He helped foster sibling Boriska come out of her shell! When she first went into her foster home, Boriska endured pets but mostly just wanted to hide in a corner. Her foster family was making slow progress on getting her to trust them...and then Maurice came to live with them! Maurice refused to accept "no" for an answer! He'd get Boriska to play with him no matter what! Check out this video of the early days when Maurice was just starting to teach Boriska to play. He was tenacious...and she was falling for his charms! It worked! Now, our once shy Boriska can't get enough attention from her people! She's such a fun, silly little girl! Check out this video to see what a love bug she is! We have a feeling Boriska will be adopted in no time now that Maurice has helped her gain confidence.  Amazing news! Our miracle baby Maurice has been adopted and is loving life with his new family! Here's what his adopter shared with us... "Todd, formally Maurice, is settling in so well already! I'm recovering after a very recent but luckily minor heart attack and when I went in to Ziggy's Cat Lounge to meet him, he crawled down my sweatshirt and curled up right over my heart and purred. That's when I knew I had to bring him home. This little man is a joy!" Congratulations to this new family! There's still time to give in 2025!We're blessed to witness countless miracle stories, like Maurice's, because of your support! If you have given in any way this year, please know that YOU are the reason we celebrate these successes!
We rely solely on our low fee for services, the grants we diligently apply for, and donations from people who believe in what we’re doing and want to be part of the solution. Thank you for your support!  Let’s face it. As hard as we’re working, the need is greater than ever. What's the solution?We’ve considered the needs of our community and what will create long-term, lasting change in animal welfare. Not just today, but for years to come. It all comes down to two critical priorities: #1 The best way to reduce the number of pets needing care is through low-cost spay/neuter services, including Trap Neuter Return (TNR) for community cats. #2 By keeping animals in loving homes, we eliminate their need to come into rescue. We can support families through our pet pantry and free or reduced-fee veterinary wellness services.  With your support, HSMC will be expanding our services!Over the next three years, HSMC plans to: #1 Increase our ability to provide affordable spay/neuter surgeries through expanded capacity and a full-time surgeon. #2 Grow our team to better support pet owners facing barriers, such as transportation or communication challenges. #3 Expand access to affordable care by offering more opportunities for pets to receive routine care through wellness appointments, vaccinations, and supportive end-of-life services. Be part of the solution by giving today! I’m thrilled to share how compassion, patience, and perseverance has led to saving lives and ending the cycle of continuous puppy litters.This isn’t the first time Harley has given birth to puppies, but it will be her last! Can you believe that this sweet mom had 15 babies? Sadly, by the time they came to us at the Humane Society of Mason County, two of the puppies had passed away. Now this big family is living the spoiled life and getting all the loving care they need from one of our superhero foster moms!  Harley comes from a family living in rural Mason County that has endured hardship exacerbated by a lack of reliable transportation, phone and internet service, and even power to their home. They have several adult dogs and have experienced multiple litters of puppies. Over the past year, we’ve built a relationship with this family based on trust and ongoing support. We have accepted 29 puppies from them, we have spayed or neutered most of their adult dogs, and the mom currently in our care will be spayed as soon as her babies are weaned. The remaining mom and babies are expected into our care soon.  Your compassion has changed the course of so many lives. With your support HSMC can reach the next family that is overwhelmed and in need of support. Donate today to help us save more |
Paws in PrintIn this blog, you'll find adoption stories to warm your heart, plus news, tips for pet care, and so much more! Archives
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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.