We know one-on-one human interaction and loving care are best for homeless dogs and cats. We also know there have never been enough foster homes on Vashon to fully provide for Island animals in need. Haven House creates a best-of-both-worlds scenario. Here, animals needing new homes or interim care live with our experienced caretaker in a residential setting, with dogs in one house on the property and cats in a second.

At Haven, there are couches, not kennels. There are private spaces and play areas, and dogs and cats are allowed on the bed to curl up to read, cuddle or take a nap. Haven’s home-care model embraces sheltering rather than being a shelter. Surrounded by forests and fields, animals are given refuge, love and all they need to thrive.

Our Haven Cares program provides pet guardians in need with food and support for dogs and cats, including interim sheltering care when owners have temporary medical or housing issues. We also provide free vaccinations, microchipping and spay or neuter services for community members with financial hardship, offering vet transportation if needed, and financial assistance for veterinary care on a case-by-case basis. Because lost and found pet support is so much more than a flyer or social media post, Haven uses expertise gained from more than a decade of search and recovery efforts to bring lost animals home. We also engage our rapid response team anytime an animal is in harm’s way — be it stuck up a tree, in a well, over a slope or in the road dodging traffic.

Author: Heather Love

Heather Love is a Reiki master and soon-to-be small animal massage therapist working on Vashon.