An animal shelter that feels like home

If you think that an animal shelter is like a jail, with dogs and cats crammed into little cages, then you’ll be in for a shock this Saturday, Jan. 25, when you attend the grand opening of the Orcas Animal Protection Society’s (APS) new shelter.

That’s because none of the old images of animal shelters apply to the new facility on Hope Lane, near Eastsound.

Shelter Manager Marsha Waunch refers to the dogs and cats staying at the shelter as “residents.” It’s an appropriate term for a facility that has been meticulously arranged to feel like a real home for each of the animals. It is also staffed with volunteers who are committed to furnishing the animals with generous doses of tender loving care.

You won’t see many cages at the new shelter, nor will you experience any offensive odors. What you will see are brightly colored cat rooms furnished with warm and cozy furniture on which the many cats now living at the shelter can sprawl and relax. The dogs reside in spacious indoor kennels, and they get plenty of exercise, with at least four walks every day, plus some time in the outside dog run.

Islanders of all ages have already signed up to volunteer at the shelter. They offer their services because they love animals, have pets of their own, and desire the opportunity to care for dogs and cats. Two who have already made the commitment are sixth graders Samantha Taylor and Juliana Bates. Both have pets of their own. When asked why she wanted to be a volunteer, Juliana Bates said simply, “Because I like animals.”

Waunch is thrilled to have the kids. “They’re fabulous,” she says. “They’re so responsible and so respectful of the animals.”

A volunteer’s tenure begins with an orientation directed by Waunch which stresses that they are to spend plenty of time with the animals “so they’re used to being around people, and so they will be far more adaptable and less skittish.”

That’s because the goal of the shelter is to find loving homes for the dogs and cats that came there as strays, or were surrendered by their families.

There are times when the volunteers become so attached to the pets that they hate to see them leave. This prompts a reminder from Waunch that when they find a home, shelter staff should celebrate, not be sad.

But Waunch points out that adoptions are not necessarily granted to everybody who walks through the door. “We want to make sure the match is right for both the owner and the pet,” she says, “so the animal won’t be returned.”

When an individual comes by to express interest in adopting a cat or dog, he or she is urged to spend time in the shelter’s communal rooms visiting with each animal. If the person believes that he or she has found the right pet, the pair may then go to what is affectionately known as the adoption counseling room, where the person and pet can spend some one-on-one time together.

But even if the individual decides that he or she wants to adopt the pet, the shelter requires a wait of 24 hours before the animal can be taken. “We want them to go to a good home,” says shelter manager Marsha Waunch. “We want it to be a good fit. Otherwise, it won’t work for anybody.”

Since the shelter unofficially opened on Nov. 1, it has taken in 40 cats and 12 dogs, some of which were subsequently returned to their owners. It has also found new homes for 14 cats and three dogs. The numbers are impressive, even astounding. During all of 2001, when there was no shelter and the animals were kept in private foster homes, there weren’t more than 17 animals adopted during the entire year, Waunch said.

It is now open seven days a week from 1 to 4 p.m.

Work by volunteers enabled construction to be completed

The APS shelter has been in the planning stages for more than a decade, and the many people involved with the project have had to overcome disappointments with permitting and, most recently, a lack of money. Fortunately, many islanders stepped up to the plate during the last six months, donating not only materials, but also hours and hours of labor to complete the job.

Marsha’s husband Bob Waunch, who has served as project manager for the shelter, has been working at the shelter practically seven days of every week for the past six months. Paul Losleben designed and built the furniture for the cats to enjoy, free of charge, while Jonathan Loop provided the cabinets. Marsha Waunch cautions that it would be a mistake to try to name everybody who has helped. The list is too long, and some people might be left out.

Because of all the volunteer labor, the shelter is completely paid for, and there is sufficient money to maintain it for the next year and a half, Waunch says.

Primary concern is the animals’ health

When an animal comes to the shelter, it is placed in quarantine while shelter staff determines if the dog or cat is in good health. This precaution is undertaken in order to assure that the newly arrived animals will not jeopardize the health of the other residents.

The shelter also contains isolation rooms, where sick dogs and cats are placed until they recover. There is also a surgery room for spaying and neutering.

Caretaker is Laurie Michael, who lives in a home next to the shelter which was built and provided by the APS. Michael spends an hour and a half each morning cleaning the shelter, feeding the animals, and taking the dogs for a walk. She returns every evening to give the dogs another walk. Michael also does vaccinations.

Those interested in obtaining or surrendering a pet, or who wish to report a stray animal, should call the shelter at 376-6777. The answering machine will be checked seven days a week, Waunch says.

Those interested in becoming volunteers should either call the number or drop by when the shelter is open. Even though the shelter has received an “incredible turnout (of volunteers),” Waunch says, “We can always use more.”

Open house is Saturday

The open house will take place Saturday, Jan. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m., and will consist of a ribbon cutting ceremony, some short speeches, refreshments, and tours of the facility. “We want the community to see what their contributions have enabled us to build,” Waunch says.

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