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Wenatchee Valley Humane Society reports rising intake, emphasizes free low-cost spay/neuter and community clinics
Summary
The Humane Society’s new executive director told council the shelter’s intake has risen, that local veterinary capacity is strained and that the shelter is expanding community programs including trap-neuter-return (TNR) and free vaccine clinics.
The Wenatchee Valley Humane Society’s new executive director updated the Leavenworth City Council on April 8 about growing shelter demand, veterinary staffing challenges and community outreach programs.
The director said 2024 intake ran near 4,000 animals and that the shelter has reversed position from “transfer-in” to “transfer-out” partner because local capacity is strained. She said high veterinary costs, a national shortage of veterinarians and reduced access to affordable spay/neuter contributed to more unplanned litters and increased shelter intake.
The shelter has hired a local veterinarian and runs a low-cost spay/neuter program (TNR) for community cats; staff aim to subsidize surgeries and expand outreach through grants and local matches. The director described other services including a pet-food pantry, vaccine clinics for unhoused neighbors and foster-kitten campaigns. She asked local leaders for help with volunteers and to publicize upcoming outreach clinics and match funding opportunities.
Councilmembers and staff discussed capacity, the need for a licensed veterinary technician to expand surgery days, and ongoing fundraising. The humane society said it is running a Save-a-Tiny-Life matching campaign to fund surgeries and foster support.
