HUMANE SOCIETY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HELPS LEAD CHARGE ON STATEWIDE PET LIFE-SAVING EFFORTS
Wenatchee Valley Humane Society (WVHS) Executive Director, Dawn Davies, has joined other public and private animal welfare leaders throughout Washington State to launch Pet Alliance of Washington (PAW). The Coalition, who's mission is to increase lifesaving efforts of organizations within Washington State that provide care for stray, neglected and abused cats and dogs has also gained the help from Best Friends, a national organization with extensive experience improving animal outcomes.
“While our shelter may be thriving, others are barely surviving.” says Davies, “There are many outlying areas in Washington that are a resource desert in terms of animal welfare.”
“WVHS is the only private, non-profit humane society in North Central Washington, primarily serving Chelan and Douglas County,” Davies explains, “As much as we would like to extend our life-saving programs to neighboring counties, we simply don’t have the capacity.”
The coalition was founded after a group of animal welfare professionals from several regions in Washington State took notice of issues within the animal welfare industry and identified that many could benefit from a collaborative and regional approach, rather that attempting to solve the same issues on an individual level. Strategies implemented by the coalition are set to boost pet save rates and improve outcomes and includes mentoring Pet Alliance members on model programs, grant funding, and direct action.
As one of the founding board of directors for PAWS, Davies is excited to share her experience and the success at WVHS to help others. “The Board of Directors is inspired to lead a statewide effort to reach a 90% live release rate by 2020,” Davies notes. “WVHS has maintained a 93% live release rate since 2015 by providing programs such as Trap/Neuter/Return, Pets For Life and Low Cost Spay and Neuter clinics. I am hoping that our experience will be helpful to other organizations.”
“It’s heartbreaking when I hear of high euthanasia rates and populations of unwanted litters, which is preventable,” she continues. “I am looking forward to working with PAW to mentor and assist other non-profit agencies, while bringing awareness to North Central Washington.”
Other members of PAWS’s board includes recognized animal welfare leaders from Seattle Humane (SH), Humane Society for SW Washington (HSSW), Blue Mountain Humane Society, Kitsap Humane Society, Pasado’s Safe Haven, Northwest Spay and Neuter Center, Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC), South County Cats, Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS), and Best Friends Animal Society (Best Friends).
About WVHS
Founded in 1967, the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society (WVHS) is a private non-profit organization with a mission is to serve the community through education, protection and pet adoptions. We continue our mission by caring for displaced pets, rescuing injured and lost animals, providing a low cost spay/neuter program, hosting a pet food assistance bank, offering a Pets for Life program, investigating cruelties and finding homes for the orphaned animals. If you would like to volunteer, donate, or more information on how you can help, email wvhs@wenatcheehumane.org or call (509) 662-9577.
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