June is National Foster a Pet Month, a special time to celebrate the impact of fostering and a reminder that opening your home to a pet in need saves lives.

Take Jones for instance (pictured above), who struggled to relax in the shelter. He just couldn’t show off his true, lovable self in such a stressful environment. In foster care however, he’s been thriving! His foster family discovered he’s a total cuddle bug and a mellow companion. On a typical day he can be found entertaining himself with a toy, snoozing lazily, and even occasionally popping up in the background of work calls. His favorite pastimes include sunny days spent out on the open seas—Jones loves nothing more than relaxing in a boat and feeling the wind in his fur. Fortunately, this seafaring lad landed himself a lovely foster family who has access to the open waters and a doggie life vest that fits just perfectly!

Fostering comes with many benefits for pets and the people who care for them. Here we highlight a few of the rewards we love most:

A Comfortable Place to Shine: Outside of the stressful shelter environment, pets in foster homes are able to relax, show their true personalities, and better prepare for adoption. The insight gained from foster families helps us match pets with the right home.

Special Care for the Littlest Ones: Very young kittens and puppies need extra support and care that's only possible in a foster home. Fosters offer the safe, nurturing space they need to grow healthy and strong—and it’s a great way for families (especially kids!) to get involved.

A Healing Environment: For pets recovering from surgery or medical treatments, foster homes provide the low-stress environment they need to heal. Most medical fosters are simple to care for, and we offer full support, training, and guidance every step of the way.

One Foster, Two Lives Saved: When you foster, you're not only helping one pet, but you’re also opening up space at the shelter for another pet in need.

Does fostering sound like a good fit for you and your family?

Become a Foster  

Not ready to foster? That's okay! You can still make a difference by donating or shopping our wish list.

Foster Program Sponsor

Thank you to our Foster Program Sponsor, MedVet, for their incredible support and commitment to the wellbeing of HSSW’s foster pets. Foster families have access to trusted, after-hours emergency medical care—providing peace of mind and lifesaving treatment when it matters most. Their generosity ensures that every foster pet can receive expert veterinary attention, even outside of regular hours, helping them stay safe, healthy, and on the path to adoption.

The Columbian's Best of Clark County celebrates the very best that our community has to offer. This annual program shines a spotlight on the top businesses, services, and nonprofits in our community—and voting is open now! Please take a moment to show your support by voting to name HSSW the Best Pet Foster/Adoption Service and Best Nonprofit Organization in Clark County. 

And there’s more! ReTails Thrift Store has been voted Best Thrift Store in Clark County for eight consecutive years, and we’re aiming for number nine! Help us keep the winning streak alive by casting your vote for ReTails as Best Thrift Store.

Vote Now  

Best of Clark County is a celebration of the many things that make our vibrant community great, and we're thrilled to be recognized. Once you've voted for HSSW and ReTails, continue to explore the lists and cast your votes for your favorites!

Thank you for supporting us and for making a difference for animals in our community.

This summer, we invite you to take a deeper look at the unseen work behind animal welfare with our inaugural Summer Lecture Series. Whether you're a lifelong animal advocate, a curious community member, or simply looking for an evening of thoughtful conversation (and light refreshments!), this engaging series offers a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the heart of HSSW’s mission.

With three sessions remaining, there’s still time to join us. Each event features subject matter experts and leaders from HSSW and beyond, diving into the complex challenges and inspiring solutions shaping modern animal welfare.

Don’t miss this opportunity for connection, learning, and Q&A with the people making a difference for animals in Southwest Washington.

Space is limited—RSVP today to save your seat!

Get Tickets  

Veterinary Forensics – From Victim to Verdict

Monday, July 28, 2025
5:30 PM Mingle | 6:10 PM Discussion | 6:40 PM Q&A
HSSW Vancouver Campus Education Room

Featuring:

• Linda Fielder, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Certified Animal Welfare Administrator

Animal neglect and cruelty is an unfortunate reality of our work. HSSW works in partnership with Clark County Animal Control, the Clark County District Attorney, the City of Vancouver and the other municipalities to investigate suspected mistreatment of animals, including the gathering and analysis of forensic evidence. HSSW also provides shelter and medical care for these animals and helps them find safe and happy homes. Thanks to a grant from the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), officers are receiving advanced forensic training and specialized tools to ensure that animal crimes are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Animal Behavior Management in Shelters

Monday, August 25, 2025
5:30 PM Mingle | 6:10 PM Discussion | 6:40 PM Q&A
HSSW Vancouver Campus Education Room

Featuring:

• Jenn Rylander, HSSW Vice President of Shelter Operations
• Michelle Reeves, HSSW Cat Team Manager, Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist
• Cierra Whitcomb, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, CCFC AKC Evaluator

Animal shelters are uniquely stressful places despite our best efforts. To further complicate things, animals that enter HSSW come with a whole history of experiences that may lead to less than desirable behaviors, often at no fault of their own. Learn about the common categories of animal behavior in shelters, and how the Behavior Management Team at HSSW develops behavior plans to help prepare cats and dogs for successful placement in homes.

Community Medicine & Behavior – Keeping Pets and People Together

Monday, September 15, 2025
5:30 PM Tour | 5:50–7:30 PM Discussion
Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic

Featuring:

• Andrea Bruno, HSSW President
• Justin Pepperling, HSSW Vice President of Veterinary Services
• Cierra Whitcomb, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, CCFC AKC Evaluator

At HSSW, we joke that the unspoken goal of our work is to put ourselves out of business by supporting the community in ways that keep animals from ever needing to come into the shelter. Imagine if every animal in Southwest Washington got the veterinary care and behavior training it needed so it could stay with its loving family for its entire life? For too many pets, that is not the case. The Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic is a key example of an upstream strategy that will keep people and pets together.  

We hope you can join us for this exciting inaugural series and become part of the conversation shaping animal welfare in our region.

Get Tickets