New pet adoption center opens in Poulsbo

POULSBO — Marley was looking for a home Feb. 1 at Poulsbo's new adoption center. She is a Welsh-corgi mix, just over a year old, and her friendly demeanor greeted volunteers and supporters at the opening of the Kitsap Humane Society's new outreach adoption center in Poulsbo.

Kelly Michaels, director of marketing for KHS, said she was looking to organize a family-oriented event in Poulsbo when she met with Mayor Becky Erickson about six weeks ago. Erickson then suggested a spot in downtown Poulsbo for families to see the pets up for adoption.

"It's really nice for us to have a little more of a presence in North Kitsap," Interim Executive Director Eric Stevens said.

The humane society staff run adoption outreach programs at pet stores around the county. The center in Poulsbo will be a weekly event in the same space, at 18827 Front St., Poulsbo. The building owner, Barbara Perrigo, donated the space until it is permanently leased; another Poulsbo landlord has also expressed interest in donating space when the current one is no longer available.

Stevens said nearly 5,000 animals arrive at the humane society every year — approximately 4,400 dogs and cats — "[who] are desperately in need of a loving home."

Erickson said she has wanted a downtown adoption center for a few years, noting Poulsbo is very dog-centric. Merchants have water dishes outside on the Front Street walkway, and the adoption center is a stone's throw away from Boomer's Pet Boutique.

"It's our moral duty to adopt," Erickson said. "It works well for the community to have the [adoption center] here and it works for the Humane Society. It's a win-win."

The center will be open every Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for dog and cat adoptions. The pets are brought in every week from the humane society's main office in Silverdale.

Marley may have been adopted on Saturday, but Michaels said many more pets need families. Find more information at www.kitsap-humane.org.

 

Contact North Kitsap Herald Megan Stephenson at mstephenson@northkitsapherald.com or 360-779-4464.

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