Learn all there is to know about adopting a companion animal from our shelter. Get your questions answered here. We Don’t Sell Pets; We Adopt Them into Responsible and Loving Homes. We're dedicated to finding lasting forever homes for the unclaimed and homeless p ets in our care. We want each of these animals’ adoptive homes to be safe, loving, and permanent! We also strive to find the best match for our adopters. Assuring a good fit between an animal and their new family is our number one priority. We want both the animals and their new families to be safe and happy. Our adoption policies reflect this commitment. Thank you for considering pet adoption! HSoP finds forever homes for hundreds of homeless animals in our community each year. Every animal deserves to know love, stability, comfort, and family. Equally, you deserve to know the joy and unconditional love that comes with a rescued dog, cat, or critter. We strive to learn as much as we can about each animal under our care. HSoP staff and volunteers focus on learning as much as they can about each pet by observing their behaviors, habits, training, history, temperament, and personality. Our staff offer adoption counseling for potential adopters, along with follow-up behavior counseling as needed following adoption. Each adoption begins with a seven day “foster period” and health guarantee. This foster period allows time for the adopted pet to settle in and become acquainted with their new family, while giving the family time to observe the pet and raise any concerns to shelter staff. Our adoption fees are far less than the total cost of preventative care that each pet adopted from HSoP receives prior to their adoption. Take a look below for more information about the preventative care provided to each pet who finds a home through HSoP: Before being adopted, all pets receive this veterinary/preventative care: • Preliminary vaccinations ( DAPPVL & Bordatella (Kennel Cough) for dogs, FVRCP for cats) • Spaying or neutering • Treatment for parasites • Microchip identification • 1-year rabies vaccination (for cats and dogs over 4 months old) Adoptable pets Adoption Applications Feline adoption fee includes: Spay or Neuter FVRCP vaccination(s) Rabies vaccination (if old enough to receive at time of adoption) De-worming Microchip Identification 7- day foster period (a full week to make sure it's a purrrfect fit!) 7-day health guarantee Canine adoption fee includes: Spay or Neuter DAPPVL vaccination(s) Bordetella vaccination Rabies Vaccination (if ol d enough to receive at time of adoption) De-worming Microchip Identification 7- day foster period (a full week to make sure it's a purrrfect fit!) 7-day health guarantee

Have questions about volunteering with us? Get your most common questions answered here! Does HSoP euthanize animals? The Humane Society of the Palouse is a low/no-kill shelter. HSoP will not euthanize adoptable animals due to space. We’ve stayed true to our mission for 45 years and are committed to preserving and nurturing the lives of all the rescued animals in our care. We reserve humane euthanasia only in instances when animals are suffering greatly with no potential for relief, or if an animal is so aggressive that he or she presents a danger to people or other animals and cannot be safely handled or placed. The decision to euthanize is never made lightly and done only with the best interest of the animal in mind. HSoP is committed to providing all of the animals we rescue with the individualized and compassionate care they need and deserve until they are adopted by responsible, loving people. How many canines does HSoP help per year? Each year HSoP provides temporary housing for anywhere from 200-300 dogs. How many dogs are returned to their owner, and how many are adopted out per year? For stray dogs that are found within Moscow city limits, HSoP on average will be able to reunite 60% with their owners and 40% will remain in shelter care until adopted. Whereas stray dogs that are found outside of Moscow city limits, HSoP on average will be able to reunite 40% with their owners and 60% will remain in shelter care until adopted. We strongly encourage all pet owners to equip their pets with accurate ID to increase the likelihood of them coming home if they ever get lost. We encourage microchip ID for all pets, and strongly recommend a collar with an ID tag containing the owner's contact number. How many felines does HSoP help per year? Each year HSoP provides temporary housing for anywhere from 200-300 cats. HSoP generally has more cats than dogs How many cats are returned to their owner, and how many are adopted out per year? For stray cats that are found within Moscow city limits, HSoP on average will be able to reunite 10% with their owners and 90% will remain in shelter care until adopted. Whereas stray cats that are found outside of Moscow city limits, HSoP on average will be able to reunite 1% with their owners and 99% will remain in shelter care until adopted. We strongly encourage all pet owners to equip their pets with accurate ID to increase the likelihood of them coming home if they ever get lost. We encourage microchip ID for all pets, and strongly recommend a collar with an ID tag containing the owner's contact number. Cats should wear breakaway collars if possible. How is HSoP funded? For a more detailed view of HSoP finances, visit our Financial Transparency page. How much funding needs to be donated or raised by HSoP to make up the 35% and 8% of the annual budget? Each year, HSoP has to raise over $80,000 through donations and fundraising just to keep our doors open. This is why any size donation is greatly appreciated. Without the generous and continued support of our pet community, HSoP would not be able to do what we do. Donate today! Is the Humane Society of the Palouse part of the Humane Society of the United States? No. HSoP has no affiliation with HSUS or the ASPCA. Though we do look to the national animal welfare organizations to stay current with best practices, we do not receive funding nor are we affiliated with them. HSoP does apply for grants through these large national organizations, however HSoP does not receive annual funding from the HSUS or ASPCA. Who is involved with HSoP? City of Moscow, Chief of Police City of Moscow owns the building and pays for utilities and make up 22% of HSoP yearly budget. Latah county provides 10% of HSoPs’ yearly budget. HSoP presents to the County Commissioners every year to request funding. HSoP Voluntary Board of Directors 14 members who bring a variety of expertise to the organization. HSoP has a full time staff of 5 that include: Shelter Director Animal Care Attendants Public Relations Manager Countless Volunteers Does the Humane Society of the Palouse pick up stray animals? The Humane Society does not pick up animals. Stray dogs found within Moscow city limits can be reported to the Animal Control Officer by calling (208)882-2677. If a stray dog is found in Latah County, citizens can call the Latah County Sheriff’s office at (208)882-2216 for assistance, but do so knowing there is no animal control for Latah County. There is no animal control for stray cats. Where does HSoP list stray or impounded animals? HSoP lists all stray or unclaimed animals on our Facebook page. To see the most recent stray and impounded animals, please visit our Facebook page through this link: Humane Society of the Palouse | Facebook If my pet is missing, could it be at the animal shelter? Hundreds of companion animals come into the shelter every year from Latah County. If your pet is missing, it is important that you contact the shelter as soon as possible so that a missing pet report can be completed and shelter staff can be notified to look for your pet. It is also important that you visit the shelter in-person and look for your pet on a regular basis. Please remember that it is the responsibility of the pet owner to search for their missing pet; however, HSoP will do everything possible to assist you in doing so. We also encourage posting a photo, description and information about where your pet went missing from as well as when to local lost and found groups on Facebook. What happens if my pet is brought to the shelter? If your pet is not readily identifiable by tag or microchip, your pet will be held for a stray holding period. Dogs found in the City of Moscow have a 10-day holding period. Dogs found outside of Moscow but within Latah County have a 6-day holding period. Cats found anywhere within Moscow or Latah County have a 6-day holding period. The Shelter will make every effort to contact you regarding your pet during this time. Reclaim fees apply in each situation and must be paid prior to reclaiming your pet. Unclaimed pets become the property of HSoP following the end of a stray holding period. Once this happens, they start the process of becoming ready for adoption. Please ensure that all of your pets have accurate ID to increase the chance of being reunited with them if they ever get lost. What does it cost to reclaim my pet from the shelter? Pet owners are charged an impound fee of $20.00. To reclaim a dog that lives within Moscow city limits, if the dog is not already licensed with the city, the purchase of a lifetime license is mandatory. The license is $25.00 for altered dogs and $35.00 for intact dogs. Boarding fees of $10.00 per day are charged for each day of impound after the initial twenty-four hours of arrival at the Shelter Do I have to have my pet spayed or neutered? Spaying or neutering is not required for reclaimed pets, although we encourage responsible sterilization of pets and offer assistance through S.N.A.P. Spaying or neutering your pets can prevent unwanted litters and even prevent some cancers in your beloved cat or dog. There are already so many homeless cats and dogs at the shelter, we don't need anymore! If you are in need of assistance having your pet spayed or neutered, please apply for our Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP). If I witness what I believe to be an act of animal cruelty, who do I call? Humane Society of the Palouse encourages the public to IMMEDIATELY report acts of animal cruelty or neglect to Animal Control by calling (208) 882-2677 if occurring within Moscow city limits, and (208) 882-2216 if occurring in Latah County. HSoP does not have the ability to report cruelty or neglect secondhand. If we are contacted about situations of this kind, we will direct them to contact local law enforcement. Does HSoP offer veterinary services to the pulbic? Though we would love to offer spaying/neutering and vaccination services to our local pet community, HSoP does not have the ability or facilities to do so at this time. HSoP does offer assistance through our Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP), and microchipping services. For a list of local veterinary services, please view the Veterinary Services resource page in the HSoP Resource Library. Does it cost money to surrender an owned animal? Yes. HSoP does ask for a small donation to help provide care for owned pets that have been surrendered. Please visit our Owner Surrender page to learn more. How old do I have to be to visit the shelter? Anyone is welcome to visit the shelter during our open hours! We do have some restrictions about who can see and interact with shelter pets: - You must be at least 18 years old to enter our dog kennels or to interact with our adoptable dogs without a parent or guardian present. - You must be at least 18 years old to interact with our adoptable cats without a parent or guardian present (unless you're working a junior volunteer shift). - Those 17 and under are welcome to visit the shelter and interact will all of our adoptable pets, so long as they're accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. I'm going on vacation, can you board my pet? No. At this time HSoP does not offer boarding services for pets. There are several boarding facilities throughout Latah County and most vet clinics will also board. For a list of local boarding services, please view our Pet Boarding Services resource sheet in the HSoP Resource Library. I found a wild animal hurt in my yard, what should I do? HSoP is not equipped care for wildlife. If you've found an injured or orphaned wild bird or animal, please call Palouse Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation at (208) 614-2273. For more information, please visit their website: Palouse Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation I found a feral cat, what do I do? HSoP does not have the ability to provide care for feral cats within our facility. We do have a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for feral cats living on owned property in Latah County. The program intends to reduce feline infectious diseases and homeless cat births in our region, by providing feral cats with vaccines, spay/neuter surgeries, and ear-tips for identification. Why can’t I bring my animal to the Humane Society of the Palouse if I live outside of Latah County? HSoP does not euthanize to make space. We do not have the capacity, space, or manpower to receive animals from outside of the agreed jurisdiction we have with the City of Moscow and Latah County. We recommend contacting the shelter that services your county and they may be able to help.

Read about the HSoP events you can look forward to! This calander outlines all of our planned events in the near future.

Some of our best recources with great information about pet care and safety! Learn new tips and pieces of advice. Pet Resources HSoP Resource Library HSoP Animal Intake Process - Stray animals - Stray animals found after hours - Owner surrenders - Dog bite quarantine holds Feral cat information Kitten season I found a tiny kitten. What do I do now? Pet enrichment information Summer safety tips for pets Winter safety tips for pets

Santa is coming to town early this year just for the four-legged friends! Bring your friendly pets to visit Santa on December 6th and December 7th to get your holiday photos taken. Santa loves meeting all of the pets, so don't hesitate to bring your pocket pets, feathered friends, and reptiles. For just $15 you will receive two digital photos of your pet(s) and Santa Paws. We hope to see you there! Thank you to Latah Credit Union for sponsoring the credit card fees during this event, which means all proceeds from the event benefit the Humane Society of the Palouse! Photography services donated by Safe Sax Photography

Learn about the people who make up HSoP's board of directors! These volunteers work together to operate the shelter and save lives. Board of Directors HSoP is administered by an elected volunteer board of directors. These are citizens of our community who are interested and passionate about animal protection, adoption, and education. These working directors donate time and experience to direct and help fund the shelter. The board meets once on a month, on the third Tuesday at 6:00pm. Karen Den Braven President Scott Smith Vice President Beverly Rhoades Treasurer Stacey Kingsbury Secretary Susila Bales, DVM Emily Spellman Pam Vander Zanden McKenna Caples Sandra Kelly Chris Schwartz Dan Cordon James Johnson (Ding) Jessica Dahlinger Nate Sletteland Ashley Bogar Heather Niccoli

Some important tips to keep your furry friends warm and comfortable during the colder months. Winter Pet Safety Fur Babies Need Special Care and Attention in Winter Months Written by Jessica Brody of ourbestfriends.pet When the mercury starts to drop, it’s time to think of the best ways to keep your fur babies safe from inclimate weather. This is especially important for older animals, or those who are visually impaired. Even pets that live outdoors need a little extra TLC in the winter. Humane Society of the Palouse offers a wealth of information on best practices for animal care and husbandry. Shelter Needs It’s absolutely essential that animals have access to warm, dry shelter in the winter months. It’s preferable that they be housed indoors - but at minimum, outdoor shelters should be gated, heated, and well-insulated. Temperatures can drop unpredictably in the winter, and wind and rain can make cold weather even harsher. Consider installing a doggy door to a garage, basement, or mudroom for outdoor pets to retreat to when the weather is particularly bad. Older animals and those with compromised immune systems should not be left outside under any circumstances. Food, Water, And Feral Animals All animals should have regular access to clean, fresh water, but it’s even more important during colder months. Consider a heated water bowl for outside animals. Domestic animals also consume more calories when it’s colder, so you may need to increase your feedings to ensure they have a protective layer of warm winter insulation. If you feed strays or feral animals, Pet Helpful recommends a makeshift shelter that includes food and water and will help them brave the elements. If possible, trapping strays and taking them to a shelter may be the better bet for their health and well-being. Foot Care Many people use salt on sidewalks, roadways, and driveways as a way to melt ice and snow. While it’s an effective technique, salt can be a toxic irritant on both cats’ and dogs’ tender paw pads. According to Chewy, when your pet comes in from the outside, wipe their feet and apply bag balm or the less expensive Vaseline to keep their paws supple and hydrated. If you can get your pet to wear booties for walks and outdoor trips, all the better. Booties with treads can also be beneficial for older animals, particularly those who may have poor balance and be prone to slipping on icy surfaces. Safety Features It’s essential to keep pets from antifreeze in the winter month - it’s quite poisonous. It also goes without saying that dogs should be leashed when they’re outside. Microchipping and ID tags are also beneficial. An escape-proof harness may work better than a traditional neck collar, as it’s safer and also protects against trachea damage that can occur if a dog pulls and strains on walks. If your dog allows you to put on a harness, they’ll also be more amenable to wearing doggy clothing - a cold weather necessity for older dogs, smaller pups, and those with light coats. Bedding Pets appreciate soft, warm bedding , and in colder temps, it’s especially important. While you can invest quite a bit in high-end memory foam heated beds, you can also get by with a comfy pile of old pillows and blankets. Keep in mind, older animals with arthritis can benefit from an elevated orthopedic bed that cushions their bones and makes them more comfortable. If you notice your older pet seems to limp a bit after rising, consult your vet to see if they would benefit from a prescription medication or a less-expensive over-the-counter joint supplement. While your pet should have regular checkups with the vet, colder months can exacerbate underlying health issues, so careful attention and monitoring is necessary. Older animals, in particular, are prone to slips and falls, and could potentially wander away, especially when the days are short. Keep an eye on any changes that warrant a vet’s consultation - changes in diet, bathroom habits, whining, crying, or limping all need a closer look. Humane Society of the Palouse is dedicated to providing the animals in its facility with the highest level of care possible during their stays, providing beloved companion animals everything they need to live a healthy and happy life. To foster, adopt, volunteer, or donate, visit the site or reach out by calling (208) 883-1166. Photo By Pixabay Winter Pet Safety Reminders Know your dog’s limits! Some dogs are more susceptible to the cold than others. Short-coated, thin, elderly, or very young dogs get cold more quickly, so adjust the amount of time they stay outside! If your dog enjoys being outdoors and you will be outside longer than a few minutes, consider outfitting it with a sweater or coat to keep it warm. Hypothermia and frostbite pose major risks to dogs in winter, so remember, if it is too cold for you, it may be too cold for your dog! Check your car hood Cats often sleep in the wheel wells of cars during the winter months to keep warm. If you start your car and a cat is sleeping on your tire, it can be severely injured by moving engine parts. Prevent injuries by banging loudly on your hood or honking the horn before starting your car. This will wake up the cat and give it a chance to escape before starting the car. Wipe your pets paws During winter walks, your dog’s paws can pick up all kinds of toxic chemicals – salt, antifreeze, or de-icers. Be sure to wipe off your dog’s paws when you return from walks to prevent him from licking it off and becoming sick. Purchase pet-safe de-icers for your home for an extra level of safety. And when wiping off your dog’s paws, remember to check for signs of injury, such as cracked or bleeding paws. Always clean your pets paws from frozen snow and ice. Ice stuck to their paw hairs can be extremely uncomfortable. Always keep your pet contained More pets become lost in the winter than any other season because snowfall can disguise recognizable scents that would normally help them find their way home. Prevent your pets from becoming lost by keeping dogs leashed on walks and, just in case you are separated from your pets, make sure their collars have up-to-date contact information and they are microchipped . Avoid walking or playing on ice When walking your dog, be sure to avoid frozen lakes and ponds. Ice can crack, and you and your dog could fall through. Leave them home Just as hot cars are dangerous for pets in the summer, cold cars pose a threat as well. Only take your pets in the car if it is necessary, and never leave them unattended. Make sure you and your pet are always visible Due to Daylight Savings, many of us are relegated to walking our dogs in the dark. Keep yourself and your dog are safe by wearing reflective gear (clothing, leash, collar, etc) and keeping your dog close when walking on the street. Give your outdoor pets safe shelter If your pets live outdoors primarily, bring them indoors during sub-zero temperatures. For the rest of the winter, provide them with a dry, draft-free shelter that is large enough to allow them to sit and lay down comfortably, but small enough to conserve body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. Pets who spend a lot of time outside need more food to replace energy lost from trying to stay warm. Use plastic food and water dishes instead of metal. When the temperature is low enough, your pets’ tongue can become stuck to the metal bowl. Avoid chemical spills Antifreeze attracts cats and dogs because it is very sweet to taste, but it is extremely poisonous and can cause serious illness or death when ingested. Be sure to clean up any antifreeze that spills in your garage, and keep the bottle somewhere your pets cannot access. Be prepared for emergencies Winter brings extreme weather that can cause power outages. Have an emergency plan and make sure they include your pets! Have an emergency kit with enough food, water, and medication to last your pets at least five days. Most likely you will never need it, but if you do, you will be thankful you planned ahead!

Learn about the ways you can get involved in saving local homless pets. This includes donating, volunteering, and fostering. Get Involved! Our amazing community is truly what makes our work possible. The residents of Moscow and Latah County have continuously shown how much they care for local animals over the last 40 years. There's several ways to get involved in our lifesaving mission! Each year we have the help of countless volunteers who ensure each animal is safe and comfortable in our care. We also have an extremely generous community who funds more than 30% of our shelter expenses through donations! The community effort doesn't end there. Many of our toys, blankets, treats, and carriers have been donated by helpful residents of Moscow and Latah County, and event volunteers make sure our fundraising efforts are successful year after year! There are even some community members who choose a more hands-on approach and get involved by fostering animals still in search of their forever homes. We are always trying to brainstorm more ways our community can get involved in the work we do. If you have any questions or ideas about how you could help us save countless lives, please send us an email us at information@humanesocietyofthepalouse.org Donate Volunteer Foster Shop Thank you for allowing us to help those who cannot help themselves!

Visit this page to send us a message. You will also find our hours, location, and contact information here. Humane Society of the Palouse Monday through Saturday 1:00-6:00pm Dog kennels close at 5:00pm Sunday Closed Shelter Location: 2019 E. White Ave, Moscow ID 83843 Contact Us: 208-883-1166 PO Box 8847, Moscow ID 83843 information@humanesocietyofthepalouse.org Do you have a question, comment, or concern? You can send us a message here. We try to be as responsive as possible! The shelter is staffed from 1-6 PM Monday through Saturday, so we'll respond as soon as we're able to! Thanks for submitting! Submit

Learn all about kitten season at our shelter! Kitten Season What is kitten season? Did you know that the feline reproductive cycle is influenced by two factors; warmer weather and the amount of daylight in a 24-hour period? In our local temperate climate, we experience the warmer weather during March-October. This time of the year is referred to as "Kitten Season". There are many cats who live outdoors and indoor/outdoor that are not spayed/neutered. These cats begin reproducing when the weather heats up causing a major influx of homeless kittens. How can you help? Spay and neuter your pets! Spaying and neutering not only stops cats from reproducing, but also alleviates some dangerous health concerns for your pet. Need financial assistance? Check out our Spay-Neuter-Assistance-Program. Do you have a feral cat on your property? Take a look at our Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for feral cats in Latah County. Donate supplies! Each year, HSoP takes in roughly 150 orphaned kittens without their mom. These kittens require extra love and care while they grow up! Some needed items: heat pads, kitten milk replacement, kitten nursing bottles, karo syrup, canned kitten food, gerber baby food, and baby wipes. To check out our current needs, visit Donate . Donate money! Many orphaned kittens come to HSoP sick and injured, and need immediate veterinary assistance. Our life-saving medical fund is used most often during kitten season. To read more about this fund and make a donation, visit Merlin Fund . Volunteer! HSoP always needs kitten socializers, and we could use your help! Kittens that are unable to go into foster care need extra time with people to help them become socialized. Interested in becoming a volunteer? Visit Volunteer . Foster a litter! HSoP relies on our foster parents tremendously during kitten season! Kittens sent into foster are safer, happier, and healthier than if they were staying at the shelter. HSoP trains each foster home through an orientation, and is available 24/7 for foster emergencies. Want to help us save lives? visit Foster program .