Save an animal

To the editor:

As a longtime volunteer at the Kitsap Humane Society in Silverdale, I have noticed that more animals are staying longer before being adopted. In 2015, I saw dogs coming and going quite fast. I told people that if they didn’t see a dog or cat that “spoke” to them” come back next week.

With COVID, people came to the shelter in droves to adopt pets as they had the time to care for them and wanted companionship.

Two years later we see an increase in owner surrenders and strays and a decrease in adoptions, especially for adult cats and large dogs. It pains me to see them linger week after week getting stressed and hopeless. If you would rather have a puppy or kitten, KHS has many of those as well.

Shelters are full around the nation, and KHS is hard at work to help alleviate space constraints other shelters are experiencing by bringing at-risk pets to Kitsap County.

If you have been thinking about getting an animal please take a look at those available at the shelter or other rescue groups before deciding to get a puppy from a breeder.

If you are unable to commit to a pet, perhaps you can foster an animal for a little while. Some animals just don’t do well in a shelter. They also have a Foster-to-Adopt program for some dogs, allowing adopters to “try before you buy” a dog.

Please help in any way you can. It’s desperately needed.

Monique Summers

Bainbridge Island