The Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor (APS-FH) is excited to announce that it has achieved its fundraising goal for the construction of the new shelter thanks, in part, to the success of the 2018 annual Doggone Good Dinner. (Last year, the shelter’s board of directors awarded contracts to begin construction, after raising 80 percent of the money to cover construction costs.)

It is anticipated that the transition to the new shelter will be in October, after the grand opening on Sept. 29.

Once again Friday Harbor will add a major new facility for which the community can be proud. In keeping with shelter history and tradition, all funds have been raised locally through local connections without the assistance from local, state or federal funds.

Donations came from people’s hearts as they remember pets and loved ones. Collections came from children and adults through a variety of fundraising efforts, including Pennies for Pets banks, Capital Campaign Shelter Donation banks (in locations in downtown Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor), Treasure Hounds, and WAGS, just to mention a few.

Many celebrity friends of the shelter, such as Ken and Linda Howard, Jane Lynch, Wendy Mallick, Neal McDonough and Loretta Swit, gave their time and support to help reach our goal. All events and efforts were dedicated to helping make the New Home – New Hope a reality.

Building the new shelter has once again shown how the island pulls together. Friday Harbor deserves a pat on the back along with many grateful ‘woofs and meows.’