Latest Shelter News
Latest Newsletter
August 4, 2023
Senior Dogs at APS-FH “Fetch” Grant
San Juan County old dogs have something to wag their tails about this summer, as The Grey Muzzle Organization announces the recipients of its annual grants, and dogs at Animal Protection Society-Friday Harbor (APS-FH) are among the winners.
Also in this issue
- Transporting Pets and Home Furnishings in Style
- The Dog Days of Summer
- It’s Kitten Season!
- A New Title for a Familiar Face
- The 29th Annual Doggone Good Dinner Left Our Tails Wagging
- Furry Factoid
🌧️🐱 It’s raining kittens at APS-FH! 🐱🌧️
Kitten season is officially here, and we currently have 7 adorable kittens who have recently arrived and will soon be making their debut!
Four are currently soaking up love and attention in foster care, while three are busy at the shelter perfecting their pouncing, wrestling, and zoomie skills.
🌶️ Introducing the Spicy Litter!
• Paprika & Serrano — DSH tabbies, male & female, born 4/10/26 (~6 weeks old)
• Habanero, Poblano, & Jalapeño — females, DSH black, DSH marbled tabby, and DSH torbi, born 4/23/26 (~8 weeks old)
🥝 And the Tropical Fruit Litter!
• Kiwi & Lychee — DSH tabby female and DLH black male, born 4/10/26 (~6 weeks old)
These little ones are growing fast, learning all the important kitten things, and getting ready to find families of their own. Keep an eye on our page for adoption updates, kitten antics, and plenty of adorable photos in the coming weeks! 🐾❤️ ... See MoreSee Less
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Guess that Breed! 🐶
Meet Reginald - Reggie for short!
This handsome ~7-year-old, 15-pound mystery mutt arrived on a life-saving transport from Los Angeles and is now looking for a forever home of his own. ❤️
Reggie is a sweet, affectionate little guy who loves walks, cuddles, and being close to his favorite person. Because he bonds so deeply, he’d love a home with someone around often to share life’s adventures (and couch time!) with.
Now for the important question...
What breeds do YOU see? 👀 Drop your guesses below ⬇️ and stay tuned for the results!
And if you’re looking for a devoted best friend, Reggie is available for adoption! 🐾 ... See MoreSee Less
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🐾 Courtesy Post: Meet Fern 🐾
Fern is an 11-year-old Yellow Lab/Aussie Shepherd mix with a heart full of love and a deep devotion to her people. At 43 pounds, she’s the perfect size for companionship, and companionship is truly what Fern loves most.
This sweet senior girl enjoys leisurely walks, rides beautifully in the car, and gets along well with calm, respectful dogs. She adores people of all ages and is happiest when she’s by your side, whether you’re relaxing at home, running errands, or simply enjoying a quiet day together.
Because Fern forms such strong bonds with her people, she can become distressed when left alone for extended periods. She is looking for a home with someone who is around most of the time, a retiree, remote worker, or stay-at-home family member would be ideal. For the right person, Fern’s desire to always be near you is one of her most endearing qualities. She is a loyal shadow, devoted companion, and constant friend.
Fern is ready to spend her golden years soaking up love, attention, and quality time with someone special. If you’re looking for a dog who will cherish every moment spent together, Fern may be the perfect match.
Interested in learning more about Fern or arranging a meet and greet? Contact APS-FH at shelter@apsfh.com or call 360-378-2158. You can also submit an adoption application at www.apsfh.com/adoption-program/canine-application.
Please note: Fern is not currently at the shelter. APS-FH is courtesy posting this pet to help her find a new home while she remains with her current guardian. APS-FH has not evaluated or interacted with Fern and cannot guarantee her health or temperament. Adoption decisions and any rehoming fee are determined by her current guardian. ... See MoreSee Less
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DOG ISLAND DAY 2026!!! 🐕🦮🐩🐕🦺
Ready for a tail-wagging adventure around San Juan Island? Grab your pet and join us for a day of exploring, learning, and fun!
Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits—even capybaras—are welcome to participate as you visit locations across the island and collect paw print stamps along the way. Complete your map and you’ll be entered to win an Embark DNA Test courtesy of APS-FH!
Along the route you’ll find:
🐾 Fun giveaways
🐾 Free trail etiquette classes with Brittney from APS-FH
🐾 Opportunities to become an official Bark Ranger at participating parks
🐾 Some of San Juan Island’s most beloved destinations
Start your adventure at 10:00 AM at any mapped location and collect stamps until 3:00 PM. Take your time and enjoy the journey - explore Lime Kiln Point State Park, hike American Camp, grab lunch in Roche Harbor, visit the San Juan Historical Museum, and stop by APS-FH to meet our staff and the animals waiting for their forever homes. ... See MoreSee Less
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The San Juan County Dog 4-H Club recently visited the American Camp Visitor Center to learn about the B.A.R.K. Ranger program and get their dogs officially stamped! 🌲🐶
Dog 4-H is a fun opportunity for school-aged kids to learn all about dog care, training, and showing while developing valuable life skills like record keeping, leadership, and public speaking. It’s a great way for young dog lovers to build confidence, make friends, and strengthen the bond with their canine companions.
Interested in joining? Learn more at sjcdog.com or email info@sjcdog.com.
Way to go, Dog 4-H members and pups! We love seeing the next generation of responsible dog owners out exploring our beautiful national parks. ... See MoreSee Less
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We are incredibly grateful to Spirit Bear Studio and the many visitors who supported APS-FH during the 2026 Studio Tour! Thanks to their generosity, a wonderful donation was made to help the animals in our care.
This project was truly a labor of love led by our amazing volunteer, Pamela Stringer. Pam devoted countless hours designing, cutting, sanding, and finishing each unique piece. It was her artistic imagination, creativity, and craftsmanship that inspired visitors to take home beautiful flower holders and candle holders while also supporting our shelter animals.
What makes this project even more special is that these stunning creations were made from Spirit Bear Studio’s collection of wood “cut-offs” and unused small wood pieces. Working together, Pam and Laura transformed these remnants into a beautiful collection of functional art, proving that with creativity and care, something extraordinary can emerge from materials that might otherwise go unused.
We are so thankful for the dedication, talent, and generosity of everyone involved. Community support like this helps us continue providing care, comfort, and second chances to the animals who need us most. ... See MoreSee Less
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Bark Ranger Diesel reporting for duty! 🐾
This week, Diesel took a very special trip to the National Park to earn his Bark Ranger badge, and we couldn’t be more proud of him! Bark Rangers are dogs who help promote safe and responsible recreation in our parks by following the rules, respecting wildlife, and being great ambassadors for canine adventurers everywhere.
For more than five months, Diesel has been waiting patiently in our care for a family to call his own. Through it all, he’s remained the same happy-go-lucky, confident, and lovable dog we’ve come to know and adore. He approaches every day with enthusiasm, a wagging tail, and a playful spirit that’s impossible not to smile at.
Diesel is the kind of dog who makes friends wherever he goes. He’s wonderful with kids, loves being part of the action, and has that joyful puppy energy that keeps life fun.
Watching Diesel explore the trails and proudly earn his Bark Ranger badge reminded us of something: this sweet boy is ready for his next adventure. What he wants most isn’t another outing or another title, it’s a forever family to share life’s adventures with.
If you’re looking for a loyal companion, hiking buddy, family dog, and best friend all wrapped into one handsome package, Diesel may be your perfect match. Let’s help this incredible boy find the forever home he’s been waiting so patiently for! ... See MoreSee Less
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Delete your dating apps and find your perfect pet match at APS-FH! Cuddles & loyalty guaranteed🥰
We have so many sweet, funny and unique pets waiting for their someone special💌
Call, email or come on by the shelter if you swiped right on your forever match! 💘 ... See MoreSee Less
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APS-FH needs foster homes, now more than ever! 🐾
Rescue doesn’t happen without fosters.
Right now, APS-FH is looking for foster families willing to open their homes and hearts to animals in need. Whether you can help for a few days, a few weeks, or longer, fostering saves lives.
We need foster homes for:
🐶 Adoption-ready dogs
🐱 Adoption-ready cats
🐾 Puppies and kittens
💊 Medical recovery cases
❤️ Fospice animals needing comfort and love
🏡 Animals who simply need a break from shelter life
While our shelter staff works hard to provide excellent care, nothing compares to a home environment. Foster homes help animals decompress, learn routines, build confidence, and show us who they truly are outside of the shelter. The insights we gain from foster families help us make better matches and set animals up for successful adoptions.
For puppies and kittens, foster care provides critical socialization. For medical cases, it offers a quiet place to heal. For senior and fospice animals, it gives them the comfort, dignity, and love every animal deserves.
Every animal’s journey is different, which means there’s a foster opportunity for almost every lifestyle. Whether you have experience with animals or are fostering for the first time, we’ll provide supplies and guidance every step of the way.
One foster home can change everything for an animal waiting for their second chance.
Interested? Please fill out our foster application here: www.apsfh.com/adoption-program/foster-care/
Questions? Please call us at (360) 378-2158, or email us at shelter@apsfh.com. ... See MoreSee Less
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