Providing compassionate care and brighter futures for homeless animals.
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
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.
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.
🐾 DOG ISLAND DAYS 2025 🐾
📅 Saturday, June 28th, 2025
🕙 10 AM – 3 PM
Calling all pups and their people! 🐶🌲
Join us for a tail-wagging good time as you explore San Juan Island with your furry friend during Dog Island Days!
Start your adventure at the APS-FH Shelter, then make your way to:
📍 American Camp
📍 English Camp
📍 Lime Kiln
📍 Treasure Hounds
🐾 Collect a stamp/sticker at each location and make a day of fun, sniffs, and scenic walks!
🐶 American Camp, English Camp, and Lime Kiln will have their Bark Ranger programs available that day!
🎉 Complete the map and show off your dog’s island spirit! Participants who complete their stamp maps and return to APS-FH will receive a raffle ticket for a prize basket!
Let’s make this a paw-some summer memory together! 🐕❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
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🔎 Understanding Barrier Frustration in Shelter Dogs 🐕
If you’ve ever walked through an animal shelter and seen a dog barking, jumping, or spinning in their kennel, you might assume they’re aggressive or poorly behaved. In most cases, though, this is something called barrier frustration — and it’s completely natural.
🧠 What Is Barrier Frustration?
Barrier frustration happens when a dog is physically blocked (by a gate, fence, or kennel door) from reaching something they’re interested in — like a person, another dog, or even just new smells and experiences. Over time, the inability to interact leads to frustration, anxiety, and high arousal behaviors such as barking, pacing, and lunging.
📍 Why It Happens More in Shelters:
- Limited space
- Overstimulation
- Unknown noises and scents
- Physical discomfort
Even the friendliest dogs can start to show signs of barrier frustration in this environment — especially if they’ve been with us a while.
💬 How does APS-FH help combat barrier frustration?
- Minimize kennel walkthroughs
- Daily enrichment routines and predictable schedules
- Visual barriers
- Noise reducing tactics
- Frequent walks, playtime, and playgroups
- Comfort items
Many dogs showing barrier frustration become calm, loving, and social once they’re outside the kennel or in a quieter environment. With patience and understanding, we can help them find the homes they deserve. 🐾❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
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🚐🐾 New Arrivals Alert! 🐾🚐
We’re excited to welcome two sweet young female cats, a charming male Poodle mix, and a lovely female dog to APS-FH! 💕
These adorable companions just arrived thanks to our amazing transport partner, ARFSgc, who flew them to us all the way from Eastern Washington.
Upon arrival, all four pets will undergo a brief medical and behavioral evaluation, then soon after be ready for Meet and Greets. We will post when they are available for visits.
Until then, feel free to stop by the shelter and fill out a short inquiry form, or our adoption application online, to express interest in any of the animals arriving! 🐾 ... See MoreSee Less
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🐾💛 Kindness Starts Young! 💛🐾
Two incredible young heroes reminded us what compassion looks like. These kiddos brought their savings jars—every dollar they had—to donate to APS-FH! 🐶🐱
With big hearts, these two animal lovers are helping feed, shelter, and care for animals in need. Their generosity shows that no act of kindness is ever too small—and that anyone, no matter their age, can make a big difference.
Thank you from all of us (and the happy tails) for showing us the true meaning of love and community. ... See MoreSee Less
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🚨 Pet Parents, Take Note! 🚨
This is the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center list of Top Pet Toxins of 2024, and some may surprise you!
✅ Pet Safety Tips:
• Keep all meds and chemicals locked away
• Avoid sharing human food unless it’s vet-approved
• Know the toxic plants in your home & garden
• Save the ASPCA Poison Control number: (888) 426-4435
💡 When in doubt, contact your vet or the ASPCA hotline immediately. ... See MoreSee Less
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May was another paw-some month thanks to our amazing community!
Your support made an incredible difference. Each number tells a story of second chances, wagging tails, and full hearts. Thank you for standing with us in our mission to protect and care for homeless animals. ☀️ ... See MoreSee Less
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🐾 Need a Helping Paw? 🐾
APS-FH’s Pet Food Pantry is here to support fixed or low income pet families in our community.
No appointment necessary - just stop in. ... See MoreSee Less
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🐾 Adopt Some Purr-losophers! 🐾
Looking to add some wisdom, wit, and wild zoomies to your life? Meet Aristotle & Plato – two ridiculously adorable kittens from our Philosopher Litter, ready to school you in the art of play, purring, and snuggling.
🖤 Aristotle (Ari) – A sweet female black kitten full of curiosity. This girl is bold, brilliant, and always chasing the deeper meaning behind laser pointers. Loves to cuddle, play, and perch like a wise little owl.
🌫️ Plato – A fluffy grey boy with Big Thinker Energy... and a LOT to say about it. Chatty, charming, and possibly trying to start a podcast in meows. Also an expert in naps and belly flops.
✅ Both are 14 weeks old, spayed/neutered & vaccinated
✅ Ridiculously sweet and affectionate
✅ Purr like tiny lawnmowers
✅ Experts in snuggles, wrestling, and existential playtime
Give them a forever home together or seperate and unlock the true meaning of happiness! They are available for visitors 11 am - 4 pm Tuesday-Sunday for interested adopters or folks who need a good kitten snuggle! ... See MoreSee Less
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Aurora and her Princess Puppies Journey
Aurora’s story is one of quiet strength, unconditional love, and a mother’s heart that never gave up.
Aurora first arrived at a crowded Georgia shelter where she gave birth to her three tiny puppies. Scared but gentle, she did everything she could to protect them. Her babies were soon adopted, one by one—and Aurora was left behind.
When , shortly after, eight orphaned puppies arrived at the shelter vulnerable and needing a mother, Aurora stepped up. She nursed them, cleaned them, snuggled them like her own, weaning them with the same devotion she had shown her first litter.
When our team at APS-FH learned about this remarkable dog and the family she had so selflessly created, we knew they deserved a second chance—and a fresh start. We partnered with Project Freedom Ride to bring Aurora and her puppies to the island, where a brighter future awaited.
But just days before transport, the family was diagnosed with parvo.
We held our breath.
Against the odds, six puppies pulled through—and Aurora, ever the warrior mama, stayed strong. Together, they made the journey to us, ready to begin a new chapter surrounded by love and hope.
We have 4 of the princess puppies now in foster care and sweet Aurora is being loved on each day at the shelter. They’re looking for their forever families—one who will give them all the love and care they deserve.
💛 Come meet Aurora and her 4 pups at our Puppy Social on 6/12. It’s the perfect chance to snuggle, play, and maybe even fall in love. ... See MoreSee Less
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