When are we open?
Due to COVID-19, our shelter is closed to the public most days of the week. Our services are by appointment. Call the shelter 360-533-1141 to schedule and please leave a message if we do not answer. We are available for walk-ins on Wednesdays and Saturdays and available to schedule appointments Tues – Sat from 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM.
How much is it to adopt an animal?
Our adoption fees are below:
Cats
Kitten/Young Adult (0 – 1 year) – $175
Adult (1 – 10 years) – $125
Senior (10+ years) – $75
Specialty Breeds – Varies
Dogs
Puppy/Young Adult (0 – 1 year) – $350
Adult (1 – 8 years) – $275
Senior (8+ years) – $150
Small Breed Puppy/Young Adult – $450
Small Breed Adult (up to 30 lbs) – $400
Specialty Breeds – Varies
Discounts – We offer a 20% discount on bonded pairs. We also provide a 20% discount to seniors 55 and over as well as veterans. ID or documentation must be presented and verified for the discount to apply.
What does the adoption fee cover?
Our adoption fees cover necessary vet care provided when the animal enters the shelter, certain vaccinations, deworming, flea treatment and for the pet to be spayed/neutered.
Can I have the pet I adopted fixed and vaccinated at my own vet instead of the one listed on my adoption contract?
Yes, you may have any vet you like perform services at your own expense. Just send us copies of the vet records so that we may ensure that all contractual care is complete. Keep in mind that your adoption fee covers contractual vet care, but it must be performed at the vet listed on your contract for it to be covered by PAWS of Grays Harbor.
I adopted an animal from you…
… but can no longer care for it. What do I do?
Our contract specifies that if you are no longer able to care for a pet adopted from us, it must be returned to PAWS of Grays Harbor. Please call ahead to ensure we have kennel space available. If you would like to try to rehome the pet yourself, please contact us to let us know you are doing so. We may also be willing to courtesy post the pet for you on our Facebook page and help screen applicant.
… and it appears to be sick. Can you help me?
Our adoption contract states that once an animal is adopted by you, you are responsible for its care. We sometimes write additional care into the contract at the expense of PAWS of Grays Harbor but it must be done at the time of adoption. If you are unable to care for the adopted animal, you may return it without refund per the contract terms for it to receive the proper care it needs.
… and it needs vaccinations. Where do I take it?
Rabies vaccinations must be given by a vet. They are usually given at the time of spay or neuter or by appointment by the vet specified on your adoption contract. No care outside of that specified on the contract will be performed at the expense of the shelter. If you choose to have vaccinations performed by anyone other than the designated veterinarians, it will be at your own expense.
… and it is ready to be fixed. Where do I take it?
Adopted animals are contractually due to be fixed at 6 months of age. Contact the vet specified on your adoption contact and schedule an appointment. Please bring a copy of your contract to the appointment so they know who to bill. No care outside of that specified on the contract will be performed at the shelter’s expense. If you choose to have your pet fixed by anyone other than the designated vet, it will be at your own expense.
I am fostering an animal from you…
… and it is not working out. What do I do?
Please bring the animal back to the shelter during open hours. Please make sure you have time to speak with us. Every placement allows us to learn more about our animals and what type of placement will be best for them. A release fee will apply to returns after 6 months.
… and it appears to be sick. What do I do?
Please contact PAWS of Grays Harbor. We will contact our vet and set up a time for the animal to be seen. If you are not able to reach anyone at PAWS, please contact the vet listed on your contract and explain the situation. They will then contact us for authorization to treat. Any unauthorized treatment by a foster will be done at the foster’s expense.
I have found the pet I want to adopt, when can I take it home?
Pets are not always able to go home the same day. Some pets have multiple meet-and-greets set up and are adopted by the family we feel to be the best fit for that animal. This is not about whether or not you would be a great home, this is about the comfort and needs of the specific animal. Animals are not adopted on a first come first serve basis.
Some pets in our care are receiving necessary vet care or training before they are able to leave. This will be discussed during the adoption process.
I am interested in adopting a pet but am not sure how it will fit into my household. Can I try it out first?
Yes, we have a two-week trial period where you can receive your money back should the pet not work out in your home. This allows us to learn more about our pets and helps potential adopters find exactly what they are looking for before making a long-term commitment to an animal. Alternately, you may be eligible to foster a potential pet first.
Do I need to make an appointment to bring my pet in for grooming?
No. We do not accept appointments for grooming. This is done on a first come first serve basis. Owners must also remember that shelter pet adoptions will take first priority.
Can you bathe my pet?
No, we no longer offer this service.
Can I bathe my own pet?
Yes. You are able to bathe your own pets in our new bathing facility. Towels and shampoo are provided. If you have a shampoo you prefer, please feel free to bring it with you. We ask for a $15 donation for this service and ask owners to please keep the bathing area clean for the next person. This is done on a first come first serve basis. Owners must also remember that shelter pet adoption will take first priority.
Can you cut my pet’s nails?
Yes. We do nail trims as long as the pet does not display a safety concern to staff or volunteers. We ask a $15 donation for this service. This is done on a first come first serve basis. Owners must also remember that shelter pet adoption will take first priority.
Can you flea treat my pet?
Yes. Please bring your pet into the shelter for this service. We do not sell flea treatments to be administered by owners. All treatments are given at the owner’s risk. PAWS of Grays Harbor is not responsible for any adverse drug reactions caused by treatment.
Can you vaccinate my pet?
No. We no longer offer this service.
How do you become a volunteer?
Please fill out our Volunteer Inquiry HERE. We can then schedule you to come in and get set up to become a volunteer. Although, during our COVID-19 closure, we are not accepting new volunteers.
How old do you have to be to volunteer?
You must be 16 years of age to volunteer without a parent or guardian. You must be over 18 years of age to walk dogs.
How do I make a donation of materials?
We accept material donations of gently used pet items, pet food, and shelter cleaning supplies. We are available to accept these donations during open hours. If you would like to schedule a drop-off time outside of open hours, please leave your contact information and a director will call you back. If you would like to receive a receipt for items donated, please request one at the time of drop off.
How do I make a monetary donation?
Monetary donations can be made directly at the desk during open hours, by mail at
PAWS of Grays Harbor
PO Box 451
Aberdeen, WA 98520
or through our website at pawsgh.org. If you would like to set up reoccurring donations through bank transfer or through your employer, please leave your contact information for a director you get back to you with the required paperwork.
Can I release my pet to you?
We accept owner-released pets during open hours. We require a $30 donation for all dog releases, $20 for cats and $10 for each puppy or kitten to help with needed vet care when an animal enters the shelter. Please call ahead the day you are wanting to release the pet to ensure we have kennel space available. We are unable to accept any pet that may pose a health or safety risk to people or animals.
I found a pet, can you take it?
If you have found a stray animal, please contact your local animal control. Strays must go through animal control before coming to our shelter for legal reasons.
I lost my pet, do you have it?
Please call us with a description of the animal and a contact number. We will contact you if the animal is found. You may also post pictures of the animal to the PAWS of Grays Harbor Lost & Found page to make others in our community aware that it is missing. Also contact non-emergency dispatch at 360-533-8765 to alert them that the animal is missing.
I found a stray animal, what should I do?
Contact the non-emergency dispatch at 360-533-8765 to alert them that the animal has been found. Keep in mind that by removing an animal from the area it has been found, you are legally obligated to take responsibility for the animal until an owner has been found. Local animal control and shelters may not have the ability to take the animal immediately. Remember that you know nothing about this animal, it is not safe to let them intermingle with your family or other pets. Keep them segregated until an owner is found or you are able to get them placed in a shelter.
CONTACTING STAFF OR BOARD MEMBERS
How do I contact a director?
Please leave your name and number at the desk and a director will contact you shortly. If you would like to contact a director by email, this can be done at director@pawsgh.org.
How do I contact a board member?
Please leave your name and number at the desk and a board member will contact you shortly. If you would like to contact a board member by email, this can be done at molle.bouch@yahoo.com.
Are you a No Kill shelter, and what does that mean?
Yes. We have been a no-kill shelter since January of 2013. Does that mean animals never die in the shelter? Well no. We wish it did, but that is not realistic. What it does mean is that animals may die of natural causes, or be humanely euthanized if they are irreversibly suffering. There are no time limits for animals in our care. They remain at the shelter or in a foster home until a suitable home can be found. This can take time and often limits the ability for us to bring additional animals into the shelter until space can be made available.
When discussing No Kill the numbers matter. Every life is a number and every life counts. There are two common ways to determine if a shelter or rescue is No Kill.
They must have a Save Rate of more than 90% of their animals to be considered No Kill. A Save Rate is determined by the ratio of animals with “Live Outcomes” and divides it by the number of “Total Outcomes.”
The ratio of animals that die yearly to the human population in a community can also determine if they are No-Kill, This can be done by taking the number of pets “Without Live Outcomes” during one year and dividing it by the number of 1,000 people in the community. This number should be no more than 2 animals per 1000 people yearly.
Animals “Without Live Outcomes” include both those that die of natural causes and those that are euthanized.
