HUMANE SOCIETY OF MASON COUNTY
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Paws in Print

29 Puppies. One Home. Your Help Can Change Everything.

12/10/2025

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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!
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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.
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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
pets like Harley and her babies.

With gratitude,
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Katherine Johnson
Executive Director
DONATE NOW
P.S.
Donate today and your gift will be matched for DOUBLE THE IMPACT!
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Abandoned cats find safe haven at HSMC

11/21/2025

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Scared, abandoned kittens running loose outside our front door! That’s the scene our staff walked into one morning when they arrived for work.

Our team raced to scoop up all the kittens before the babies could run off the porch towards the dangers of the parking lot and highway! 

How did they get there? We reviewed our camera footage and found that someone had abandoned the kittens after we left the evening before. The babies were left in a cardboard box, scared and without food or water all night long. 

The box wasn’t very secure and the kittens were able to escape!

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Sadly, this isn’t the first time we’ve come to the office and found abandoned cats. In fact, someone has been stealing our cat carriers and returning them with cats inside. To date, 47 cats have been abandoned at our door this year alone.
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Let us be clear; we do not condone the abandonment of animals. 

We are honored to serve our community, and we work diligently to accept animals into our program. Anyone interested in surrendering animals to HSMC can complete a surrender application or reach out to us directly with any questions.
Abandonment is not the way to seek help for animals!
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Cody was found left at our back door. We're thrilled to share that
he has been adopted and is loving life in his new home.
Yet one thing is clear:

Our community knows that the Humane Society of Mason County is here to help.

Years ago, those cats likely would have been abandoned in any number of unsafe locations. Sweet babies would have been left to fend for themselves.
Today, people see us as a resource. A safe haven. A solution.
Thank you for giving generously. Together, we are saving lives and completing families!
DONATE NOW

** Great news! **
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All donations will be matched up to $7,500 thanks to the
generosity of some of our special friends.


Your gift will be DOUBLED!

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Keeping pets and their people together

10/24/2025

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​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.
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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.
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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.
DONATE NOW
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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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Adoptable Pet Spotlight: Harstine

10/23/2025

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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.
ADOPT
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Foster Spotlight: Candice & Family

10/23/2025

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Happy one year FOSTER ANNIVERSARY to Candice and her family! We're so thankful to have you on the team!
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How many animals have you fostered through HSMC?
So far, we’ve fostered 30 cats and 3 dogs. With a lot of variety between solo cats, mamas and their litter, abandoned kittens, panleukopenia kittens, ringworm kittens, and more. It has been a learning experience for all of us.

Favorite part of being a foster?
Watching the transformation. Seeing a scared, fragile animal blossom into a playful, confident companion is the best reward. Kitty cuddles are the icing on the cake.

Funniest antics you’ve seen from your fosters?
Kittens definitely keep us laughing! Watching them in the evenings when they get the zoomies, arch their backs, hiss, and rabbit kick each other. 
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What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your foster journey?
I wish I had known how supported we’d feel. HSMC provides supplies, guidance, and encouragement every step of the way. Our family has gained more confidence with each new experience we tackle.

Any foster fails?
Yes, we’ve had one foster fail out of 30. There have been many close calls. Smitty fit into our family so perfectly we knew it was meant to be.

In what ways are your children involved in fostering?
Our kids are very hands-on. They help with feeding, playing, socializing, and chores. They love cuddling kittens and have learned so much about empathy and care through this experience. We have all learned to be mini vet techs and my boys are willing to help in any way I need.
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We have saved over 1,000 animals already this year thanks to you!

10/13/2025

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Thank you for your support!

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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
Thank you for your ongoing support!

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DONATE
VOLUNTEER
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Finally, a forever home for Dorothy

9/15/2025

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Found on a logging road and unable to stand, Dorothy faced incredible odds. We raced her to emergency where we learned that she had a broken pelvis and shattered leg.
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She would need surgery to amputate her leg, so we put out a plea for financial support. THANK YOU for showing up! Because of your donations, and the incredible skill of our vet team, Dorothy went through surgery without issue and then on to her foster home for recovery and lots of love.
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​IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Dorothy bonded quickly with one of her fosters, but needed time to trust others. And really, who can blame her for being cautious after all she went through!
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At HSMC, we are passionate about connecting adoptable pets with pet lovers whose home/family dynamics and lifestyle are a fit. Yet, when Dorothy became available for adoption, we struggled to find someone who was a great match for her. Thankfully, her fosters were committed to providing her care no matter how long it took to find "the one."
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And then, Angela came along. She had worked with a timid dog before and was ready to devote the time and support needed for Dorothy to feel comfortable.
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Angela visited Dorothy regularly, driving 2.5 hours for every visit. All this effort paid off as Dorothy got to know Angela and began to trust her. The yummy treats she brought with her sure didn't hurt!
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. 
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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. 
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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! 
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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.
VIDEO: Dorothy, now Trinity's first trip to the beach!
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Volunteer Spotlight: Kimberly Wallencheck

9/15/2025

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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.
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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.
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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. 
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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.
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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.
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Learn More about Community Cats (TNR)

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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!
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Adoptable Pet Spotlight: Patches, Ziggy, Slate & Dotty

9/15/2025

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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.
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Dotty and Slate also came from this same home and will appreciate some time to settle into their new family. 
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They are younger, mostly likely around a year or less, and enjoy time with the people they love once they feel comfortable.
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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!
ADOPT
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Successful Adoptions in August

9/15/2025

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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. 
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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.
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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!
  • Grab a drink and snack in the cafe
  • Have a blast at one of their paint-and-sip parties, bingo night or cat yoga
  • Host a birthday or retirement party with the cats!
  • Bring friends and family to enjoy all the kitty cuddles
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ADOPT
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The Humane Society of Mason County

Main Office & Vet Clinic
24070 State Route 3 
Belfair, WA 98528

Main Office
open M-F, 9 - 1

Vet Clinic
by appointment


Dog Shelter
902 W Pine St
Shelton, WA 98584
[email protected]

Adoptions by appointment

Contact Us
​(360) 275.9310
​[email protected]

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.
  • Adopt
  • Services & Resources
    • Veterinary Services
    • Pet Care Resource Library
    • Last Litter & Surrender Support
    • Community Cats (TNR)
    • Community Pet Support
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
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    • More Ways to Support