Vote Risks Public Health and Safety of More Than One Thousand Animals

Longview, WA (February 24, 2026) –

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners, representing unincorporated Cowlitz County voted to end their animal sheltering contract with the Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW). 

“We are deeply concerned and disappointed by the Commissioners’ decision,” said Andrea Bruno, HSSW President. “For the past year, our contract with Cowlitz County ensured vulnerable animals throughout Cowlitz County had safe housing, food, and medical care. Our agreement also provided for the management of animals that pose safety risks like free-roaming animals, dangerous dogs, animals on bite quarantine, and more. With this vote, the Board of Commissioners is risking public health and safety and the wellbeing of more than one thousand animals.”

In 2025, HSSW representatives negotiated with a Joint Negotiation Board comprised of representatives from Cowlitz County and the Cities of Longview, Kelso, Castle Rock, and Woodland to establish a three-year plan that would standardize costs and ensure all lost and stray animals in the region would receive shelter, food, reunification and adoption services, and essential medical care. After joint negotiations, all parties agreed in December 2025 to extend their current agreements and move forward with a new contract in 2026 that would provide a recovery of 48% of the costs of the municipally required services provided by HSSW, leaving a 52% gap to be subsidized by donors across Southwest Washington.    

Under these agreements, HSSW received and provided care for 2,311 animals at the Longview Campus in 2025; 1,006 of those animals came from unincorporated Cowlitz County. Under the proposed contract, the average cost of care in year one would be approximately $218 per animal. This cost includes spay/neuter surgery, essential medical treatments, vaccines, flea and tick preventative, deworming and microchips, daily care and feeding, reunification and adoption services. Without a contract in place, Cowlitz County will be responsible for its own services for stray dogs, cats, small animals, wildlife, and livestock. 

“We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality, efficient care to meet the needs of the animals and people of Cowlitz County,” says Bruno, “We have worked hard over the past year to support our municipal partners, invest in shelter improvements, and show our commitment to this community. Every day at HSSW, we provide food, shelter, and essential medical care that keeps pets healthy and safe until they can be reunited with their families or find new, loving homes. By ending the contract, the Commissioners are choosing to make it harder for families to reconnect with a lost pet and withhold essential care for sick or injured animals and underage kittens.”

The current extension of the 2025 agreement with Cowlitz County ends February 28, 2026. Without a contract, HSSW will have no legal authority to provide services. Beginning March 1, animals from unincorporated Cowlitz County will not be accepted into care at the Longview Campus. Instead, concerned citizens who find an animal outside of the city limits of Longview, Kelso, Castle Rock, and Woodland must contact Cowlitz County Animal Control. 

“I am deeply grateful to our partners in Longview, Kelso, Castle Rock, and Woodland for continuing to work with us to ensure every pet in our community is supported and loved,” says Bruno. “It is my hope that we can find resolution in the future to provide the same care and support for all animals in Cowlitz County.”

HSSW is urging residents of unincorporated Cowlitz County to contact the County Commissioners and ask them to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of animals in their community. Residents are encouraged to ask the Commissioners to share their plans to care for sick and injured animals, animal population management, mitigating the spread of disease, the collection of forensic evidence, reunification of lost and stray pets, treatment of abuse and neglect cases, and other animal welfare concerns – all services provided by HSSW in 2025. These issues can be resolved by reinstating a contract with HSSW and establishing consistent, reliable support for animals in Cowlitz County.

If you Find an Animal in Need

Individuals who find an animal in need in unincorporated Cowlitz County should contact the Cowlitz County Sheriff at 360.577.3092, option 7 or 360.762.6800 (for non-emergency animal issues).

Call to Action

Cowlitz County resident's are urged to share their concern with the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners. Please see below for contact information for Commissioners and helpful scripts to use when contacting the Board. Click here for scripts to use when reaching out to a Commissioner.

Cowlitz County Commissioners

Steve Rader
Commissioner - District 1
[email protected]

Steven L. Ferrell
Commissioner District 2
[email protected]

Richard R. Dahl
Commissioner - District 3
[email protected]

Commissioners' Office 

Physical Address
207 4th Ave. N.
Room 305
Kelso, WA 98626

Phone
360-577-3020

Scripts for Requesting Action from Cowlitz Commissioners

The following scripts are provided to support our community and advocate for reinstating a service contract with HSSW. 

Script A

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I live in Cowlitz County. I'm reaching out because I care about animals and my community, and I'm deeply troubled by the decision to end our county's contract with the Humane Society for Southwest Washington. As a resident, I rely on knowing that lost pets can be reunited with their families, that free-roaming or dangerous animals are managed safely, and that sick or injured animals receive the care they need.

This is a matter of public health and safety. I urge the Board to reconsider and work with the Humane Society to restore these vital services for the people and animals of Cowlitz County. 

Thank you for your time.

Script B

Hello, my name is [NAME] and I'm a resident of Cowlitz County. I'm contacting you because time is running out for the safety of animals in our community. I am deeply concerned by the decision to end the animal sheltering contract with the Humane Society for Southwest Washington. This decision puts more than 1,000 animals at risk and threatens public health and safety in our community. 

This is a public health and safety emergency. I'm urging the Board to act immediately — reinstate the contract with the Humane Society. Please don't let the safety of animals and our community fall through the cracks. 

Thank you.