Providing shelter and care to cats and dogs, helping them find loving homes and offering
programs and services that support our island community.
Help Provide Food and Enrichment for 500 Shelter Animals through the SJICF County Fair Giving Campaign!
Our four-legged friends have healthy appetites. They also have special needs while being temporarily housed in kennels, waiting for their “forever” home. Your generosity has always been appreciated, and our furry friends hope that you will continue to help.
The San Juan Community Foundation is once again hosting their county fair giving campaign – SJI Cares to support the many nonprofit organizations in our community.
APS-FH is excited to be participating in the Giving Campaign. This year, we hope to raise $10,000 to help provide healthy nourishment and enrichment care (food, beds, blankets, scratching posts, treats, chews and toys) to our shelter animals for the coming year. Imagine what you spend on your pet, then multiply it by 500 – the number of dogs and cats we care for each year! Our actual food and enrichment budget totals almost $17,000 annually.
With your help, we will be able to meet this goal!
Donations will be accepted now through midnight, Sunday, August 18th
Help our Island Pets Thrive!
February was National Spay & Neuter Awareness Month
We had several in-person events place in February:
Saturday 2/8: Visit us at Marketplace 11-4pm
We’re selling adorable Valentine’s Postcards to support the shelter!
Thursday 2/13: Stop by Treasure Hounds
Have a cup of coffee or cocoa while you shop! Some of our shelter staff will be there to share with you the shelter’s programs and services.
Saturday 2/22: Stop by Treasure Hounds
Stop in for a cup of coffee or cocoa while you shop! Learn about the shelter’s TNR program from our volunteers.
The holidays remind us of the joy of connection and love. Yet not everyone is able to experience that comfort.
Many pets still wait for the security of a homes, while others need a little extra support to stay with the families who love them.
When Blue arrived at APS-FH, he had already survived the devastation of the California wildfires. Thanks to our partnership with Greater Good Charities, he was safely transported here to San Juan Island. At 9 years old, this German Shepherd mix desperately needed a second chance.
This season your compassion can bring care and hope to pets across our community.
Search for your new friend here.
There are many places to acquire a dog or a cat, but our shelter provides adoption matchmaking services that help you find the right pet for your family and household. Before you adopt your companion animal from us, the Animal Protection Society will:
- Treat the pet for internal and external parasites
- Give them all initial vaccinations
- Spay or neuter the pet
- Test all cats for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
Beyond all that, animals at the shelter are lovingly cared for, socialized, and observed for all possible behavioral and health problems. We care about our friends, and it shows! Learn more.
Help Wanted!
Veterinary Technician
How You Can Help
Donate
Outright donations help us feed and take care of the shelter pets. They also help us maintain our facilities and keep the lights on. Make a one-time donation or a monthly donation of any amount.
Volunteer
Volunteer opportunities are many, just to name a few: walking dogs, trapping feral cats, general shelter cleaning, medical clinic support, fostering pets, and volunteering at our Treasure Hounds store.
Treasure Hounds
Shopping at our upscale retail thrift store is another way to support us, so is donating gently used household furnishings, home goods & decor to Treasure Hounds.
Latest Shelter News
Happily Home Stories
Did you know 1 in 3 pets will go missing in their lifetime?
We’re partnering with Petco Love Lost to help pets reunite with their families. Petco Love Lost is a free, easy-to-use national resource, using patented pet facial recognition technology to make it easier than ever to find possible matches for lost and found pets. Join us, and let’s unite to reunite at petcolovelost.org.
🌟HEARTFELT THANKS🌟We're overwhelmed by the incredible support from friends, family, donors and sponsors that made "Bidding for Better Lives" a big success! Your donations, bids and promotion created a vibrant experience & brought joy to the animals at APS-FH this holiday-THANK YOU!🎉🐾
A special shoutout to our awesome sponsors: Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands, Island Air Ambulance, Friday Harbor Electric and Animal Inn & Wellness Center and generous donors: Bob&Becky Pohlad, Friends of the Shelter, Leslie&John Byron, Bob&Tony Bailey, Bakers of San Juan Island, Palace Theatre, Cattle Point Rock&Topsoil, Roche Harbor Resort, San Juan Golf&Tennis Club, Lucinda Pierce, Friday Harbor House, Duck Soup, San Juan Airlines, Jamie Ellsworth, Annie Pflueger, Lori Stokes, Julie Corey, Linda Myrick, The Rec San Juan Island, San Juan Island Sea Salt, Kanaka Bay Farm, Oak Estate Services, Salty Fox Coffee, San Juan Safaris, David Gustafson, Gala Norton, San Juan Historical Museum, Harbor Propane, Amaro Farm, The Studio SJI, Printonyx, Islands Veterinary Clinic, Friday Harbor Pet Supply, Wesley Brumsicle Salt&Sand, Vinny's Ristorante, The Pickleball Experience, New Hannah Farm, Farhad Ghatan, JP's Restaurant, Hyatt Centric Mountain View, Rosemary Owl Esthetics&Massage, Susie's Mopeds, Vic's Drive-In, Pebble, Jan Pierce Murphy, Western Prince Whale&Wildlife Tours, Kalvin&Nini, Cannery House Take 5, San Juan Island Brewing Company, San Juan Island Roasters, Ann McCague, Friday Harbor Espresso, Bakery San Juan, Island Crumb, Market Chef, Sweet Retreat, Griffin Bay Bookstore, Haley's Sports Bar&Grill, Crazy Dog Lady, Kayla Van Skyhawk, Kings Market, Patt Aiello, Top of the Town Experience, Rene Beachem, Green Beat Kitchen, Golden Triangle, Rocky Bay Café, Jima Sushi, Lodie Budwell, Harbor Rental, Browne's Home Center, Christmas Spoken Here, Rob&Angela deGarve and Darlene Nixon. And for honoring Casey Baisch & for “Raising a Paw” to support The Grey Muzzle Medical Fund, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter, & Pet Food Pantry Programs. Your kindness and community spirit made our first online auction a success, raising valuable funds that will continue our mission. We're immensely grateful!💖 ... See MoreSee Less
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
Last Day to Help Keep Every Paw Warm 💙🐾
Today is the final day to help us repair the radiant floor heating system that keeps our shelter animals warm and comfortable.
This system provides all the heat in our animal housing areas, and right now it urgently needs repair and an upgraded heat pump. Fixing it will ensure every dog and cat has a safe, warm place to rest while they wait for their forever home.
We’re getting close, but we still need your help to reach the finish line.
📌 Total Needed: $5,418
📌 Still Unfunded: $2,309.25
If you can make a gift today, you’ll make a direct and immediate impact on the comfort and well-being of our animals.
👉 Donate here:
sjicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/grant?grant_id=20672&grant_cycle_id=1330
Pictured is 4 of our adoptable kittens that are currently residing in Kitten Suite! Come visit them Tues-Sun 11am-4pm for some soft kitten snuggles. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
November’s Volunteer of the Month: Katy
A special thanks to our Volunteer of the Month, Katy!
Since September 2024, Katy has played a tremendous role in supporting the Shelter Dog Nose Work program through APS-FH and the NACSW (National Association of Canine Scent Work).
Katy says: “The spirit of Intro to K9 Nose Work is to allow your dog to discover their “inner hunting dog” and get rewarded for it. Our job as handlers is to facilitate the search environment for our dogs without helping or hindering the dog in his or her mission to hunt.”
Katy started her nose work journey over 13 years ago when a close friend whose dog was diagnosed with cancer encouraged her to try. Katy’s own 5-month-old pup Ella (now ~10) was restricted to mild activity due to serious heart defects and needed an outlet. Lisa Holt, CNWI (Canine Nose Work Instructor) invited both teams to join PADS for Parkinson’s Disease, a scent work program that helped detect Parkinson’s Disease in people. Katy served as the secretary of the board for the duration of the program, which eventually moved to Europe. She found the experience enriching and was fascinated by odor and how dogs work it.
Nose work is also great for high energy and anxious dogs. Katy remembers a friend’s dog who was shut down due to fear and on anxiety medication (discontinued after nose work). After consulting with Lisa Holt, Katy started to work with her friend’s dog Mia, and the results spoke for themselves!
Some of her favorite memories of volunteering at APS-FH include watching some of the most fearful shelter dogs gain confidence and how deeply they trusted their handler Brittney, PNWI (Practicing Nose Work Instructor). She recalls several dogs like Benna, Tikanni and Spirit being adopted shortly after starting nose work. Making believers of the power of nose work out of us all! “I get teary just thinking about the sweet shelter dogs and how they adore the work.” says Katy.
(Continued in comments)
Katy is pictured here with previous shelter dog, Zara! ... See MoreSee Less
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Giving Tuesday: Help Us Keep Every Paw Warm 💙🐾
On this day of generosity, our shelter animals are wishing for something simple but essential - warm, safe floors to curl up on.
Our radiant floor heating system, which provides all the heat for our animal housing areas, is in urgent need of repair. Fixing and upgrading the heat pump will ensure our dogs and cats stay comfortable, healthy, and stress-free throughout the colder months as they wait for their forever families.
Your support will help us restore a reliable, energy-efficient heating system that our animals depend on every single day.
📌 Total Needed: $5,418
📌 Still Unfunded: $2,359.25
If you’d like to make a life-changing impact this Giving Tuesday…
👉 Donate here: sjicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/grant?grant_id=20672&grant_cycle_id=1330
Every gift helps us keep their hearts and their floors warm. 💙🐾 ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
’Twas the night before Giving Tuesday,
and all through our place,
Every animal lay dreaming of a warm, loving embrace.
They snuggled in blankets, feeling safe for the night,
Hoping tomorrow would bring kindness shining bright.
For your gifts bring them comfort,
full bellies, and care—
From medicines that heal to soft beds, they can share.
Your love keeps them hopeful as they patiently yearn
For the forever friends they’ve been waiting to earn.
And as eyelids grew heavy, a magic filled the air,
For they knew Giving Tuesday brings people who care.
A day when big hearts say yes to those in need—
To momma dogs, momma cats, and babies, they feed.
Every gift sparks hope, every donation a new start,
Every act of compassion reflects your generous heart.
Because of you, they stay warm, safe, and genuine—
Waiting for the families who will say, “I pick you.” ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We are thrilled to share that 11 amazing animals packed their bags (mostly toys and treats 😄) and headed off to their forever families this November!
Every adoption is a celebration, another life safe, loved, and starting a brand-new chapter. And thanks to our incredible community, adopters, volunteers, and supporters, 11 sweet souls now have warm beds, happy homes, and humans who adore them.
🐶🐱✨ Here’s to new beginnings, wagging tails, purring cuddles, and the magic of adoption! Thank you for helping us change lives, one happy home at a time. ... See MoreSee Less
9 CommentsComment on Facebook
BIG, BEAUTIFUL NEWS… LIBBY HAS BEEN ADOPTED! 🐾🎉
Our hearts are BURSTING with joy as we share the moment we’ve all been waiting for…Libby, our resilient, goofy, big-hearted senior girl, has finally found her forever home!
If you’ve been following her story, you know what a monumental victory this is.
✨ Eight years.
That’s how long Libby has been in rescue care.
Three of those years were spent right here with us at APS-FH.
Eight years of waiting, hoping, learning to trust again… eight years of shelter life for a dog who always deserved a soft bed, a loving hand, and a quiet home of her own. And now, she has all of that and more.
Libby’s journey hasn’t been easy. She first arrived on San Juan Island after nearly five years in a rescue in Mexico. After a brief adoption that wasn’t the right fit, she came back into the shelter system, fearful, sensitive, and unsure of the world around her.
Over the past three years with us, she became a staff and volunteer favorite, the dog who won you over with her lopsided ears, her crooked smile, her sideways body-launches of joy, and her signature buckin’-bronco-roos. She formed deep bonds with her people and showed her love through happy dances, silly prances, belly-up wiggles, and soft, fuzzy kisses.
And now… she gets to share all that pure, unfiltered Libby-love with a family of her very own. 💛
A brand-new chapter for Libby begins - one filled with comfort, safety, and unconditional love.
We couldn’t be happier. We couldn’t be prouder. And we couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who rooted for her along the way.
Happy Adoption Day, Libby!
Your forever finally found you. 🥹💛🐾 ... See MoreSee Less
30 CommentsComment on Facebook
... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Black Friday Deal: Warm Hearts, Warm Floors! 💙🐾
While everyone is shopping deals today, our shelter animals are hoping for something a little different…
Our shelter’s radiant floor heating system, the sole source of heat in our animal housing areas, needs an important upgrade and repair. Once fixed, it will keep our dogs, and cats in care comfortable, healthy, and happy while they wait for their forever homes.
We’re raising funds to repair and improve the heat pump, restoring a safe, energy-efficient environment that our animals depend on every single day.
📌 Total Needed: $5,418
📌 Still Unfunded: $2,659.25
If you’d like to give our animals the warmest Black Friday gift…
👉 Donate here: sjicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/grant?grant_id=20672&grant_cycle_id=1330
Thank you for helping us keep their paws toasty and their hearts full. 💙🐾 ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook