When you think about animal shelters like HSSW, you might first think of that amazing moment when an animal finds a new home. That is always a special moment for us, but many people don't see everything that happens leading up to it, including the planning, coordination, and partnerships happening behind the scenes.

One important part of that work is animal transport, which allows us to partner with other shelters and rescue organizations to create lifesaving opportunities for animals who may otherwise have limited options.  When we have the space and capacity to help, transport extends our impact beyond our immediate community and supports shelter partners facing overcrowding or emergencies

By the Numbers

While every transport tells an individual story, the overall impact is measured through the number of animals who receive a second chance because of these partnerships. In 2026 alone, HSSW has welcomed 223 animals through transport efforts from shelters and rescue organizations across the United States. Those animals include dogs and cats of various ages, all arriving with their own unique needs and circumstances, seeking the loving homes they deserve.

In 2026, We've Transfered In:

• 1 Rabbit

• 49 Kittens

• 8 Cats

• 78 Puppies

• 87 Dogs

Comparison to 2025:

• 172 TOTAL Transfers in 2025

• 223 TOTAL Transfers so far in 2026

• 30% Increase from Last Year!

Behind every number is an animal receiving medical care, behavioral support, adoption opportunities, or simply the space and time needed to find the right home. Transport also benefits the organizations sending the animals by helping relieve overcrowding and creating additional capacity for pets still waiting for help.

Building Lifesaving Partnerships

The success of any transport program depends on collaboration, and HSSW is fortunate to work alongside shelters, rescues, and transport organizations that share a commitment to animal welfare. These partnerships help ensure animals can be moved safely and thoughtfully to communities where they have the best chance of success.

Here are a few highlights from this year:

Wings of Rescue – In May, we welcomed 24 animals through a coordinated transport effort involving Wings of Rescue, Friends of Tulare Animal Services, and Oregon Humane Society. By taking in additional animals, HSSW helped fill the remaining space on the transport flight, making it possible for the relocation effort to move forward and allowing even more animals to reach safety.

Wings of Rescue is a national nonprofit that transports at-risk pets from overcrowded shelters, disaster zones, and emergency situations to communities where they have a better chance of finding homes. Through its rescue flights and emergency transport programs, the organization helps thousands of animals reach safety each year while supporting shelters and rescues across the country.

Yakima Humane Society – This year, we welcomed 21 dogs and puppies from Yakima Humane Society through four separate transports. These transfers also allowed us to support a broader emergency response effort during the Spokane-area wildfires. By taking in animals that had already been waiting for homes at Yakima Humane, we helped free up space so the shelter could focus on displaced pets, reunite lost animals with their families, and provide assistance to neighboring communities affected by the disaster.

Maui Humane Society – We recently welcomed seven dogs from Maui Humane Society. This partnership demonstrates how organizations separated by hundreds or even thousands of miles can work together toward a common goal, ensuring animals receive the care, resources, and opportunities they deserve.

Regional Rescue Partners – In addition to larger transport efforts, we regularly partner with shelters and rescue organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest. During the height of kitten season, we created space for litters of kittens from shelter partners facing capacity challenges, helping ensure those animals received the care they needed.

We have also welcomed dogs from regional shelters, including senior bonded pairs like Carter and Curtis, whose story is featured below. Earlier this year, we partnered with a local rescue to bring in 13 puppies, allowing us to provide medical care, adoption support, and a fresh start for animals who needed it most.

A New Beginning for Carter & Curtis

Sometimes the impact of transport is best understood through a single story.

When Carter and Curtis arrived at HSSW , it was immediately clear that they needed help. The bonded senior pair had originally arrived at their previous shelter as strays and showed signs of long-term neglect. Their coats were severely matted, they were dirty and uncomfortable, and both required medical attention. Despite their condition, staff quickly discovered two incredibly sweet dogs who had remained closely connected to one another through everything they had experienced.

Once they arrived at HSSW, our veterinary and animal care teams got to work. Carter and Curtis received comprehensive medical exams, updated vaccinations, grooming, and individualized treatment plans. Like many senior pets, both dogs had some age-related health concerns. Curtis required surgery to remove a severely damaged eye, while Carter needed a dental procedure before he could be adopted. Thanks to the care they received, both dogs began feeling better and showing their affectionate personalities.

As their story was shared with the community, support for the pair quickly grew. People followed their progress, cheered them on through their medical care, and fell in love with their gentle nature and obvious bond. On August 28, Carter and Curtis found exactly what every shelter animal deserves: a loving home together. Their journey is a powerful example of how transport creates opportunities that can completely change an animal's future.

Transport Takes Many Forms

While incoming transports are often the most visible part of the program, they represent only one way HSSW uses transport to help animals. Throughout this year, we’ve been able to temporarily house snakes, cockroaches, spiders, and birds at our Vancouver Campus, as well as goats, pigs, and other farm animals at our Longview Campus. While our shelters are not set up to provide the long-term housing, care, and placement these animals need. transport allows us to connect those animals with specialized rescue organizations that are better equipped.

Transport also plays an important role within HSSW's own operations. With shelters in both Vancouver and Longview, animals are regularly moved between locations to receive the care and support they need. An animal with advanced medical needs may be transferred to Vancouver for treatment, while another may be moved to Longview if staff believe that location offers a better environment or stronger adoption prospects for that particular pet.

These internal transfers help ensure that resources across both campuses are used effectively and that animals receive the support best suited to their needs. Sometimes the best thing we can do for an animal is not to keep them where they are, but to find the place where they have the greatest opportunity to thrive.

Every Mile Matters

At its heart, transport is about collaboration. Every successful transfer requires coordination between animal care staff, veterinary teams, transport organizations, shelter partners, volunteers, and foster families. While logistics can be complex, the ultimate goal is simple: creating opportunities that would not otherwise exist for animals in need.

Whether it's a group of dogs arriving from California, a handful of puppies coming from a rescue partner, kittens transferred from a neighboring shelter, or a senior bonded pair receiving a second chance, every transport represents hope. These efforts allow shelters to support one another, respond to changing needs, and ensure that more animals receive the care, attention, and opportunities they deserve.

We are grateful to every staff member, volunteer, rescue partner, transport coordinator, foster caregiver, and adopter who helps make this work possible. Together, they remind us that sometimes the journey to a new home begins with a single ride, and that every mile truly matters.

Unleash Your Heart Gala & Auction is our biggest night of the year, bringing animal lovers together for an evening of celebration, generosity, and impact. On October 3 at ilani, guests will enjoy a cocktail reception, dinner, exciting live and silent auctions, exclusive raffle experiences, and opportunities to help provide second chances for pets in need across Southwest Washington.

What truly makes the Gala special are the stories behind the mission. This year, guests will be introduced to Peanut and Charlie, two dogs whose extraordinary journeys showcase the resilience of animals and the life-changing impact of community support. Read on for a preview of their stories, along with a first look at this year's raffle prizes, auction experiences, and more.

Stories of Hope and Healing

While every pet who comes through our doors has a unique story, a few stand out as powerful examples of resilience, compassion, and the impact a caring community can have when animals need help most.

This year, guests will hear about Peanut, a dog whose life changed in an instant after a devastating accident left both him and his owner facing difficult recoveries. While Peanut received critical care through HSSW's Safe Haven program, his owner was navigating her own challenges. Their story is a testament to perseverance and the unbreakable bond between people and pets.

Guests will also get to know Charlie, who arrived at HSSW in heartbreaking condition and in urgent need of extensive medical care. Thanks to the dedication of our veterinary team, foster volunteers, and generous supporters, Charlie got the second chance he deserved. But just when his happy ending seemed complete, an unexpected twist changed his story forever.

These stories are at the heart of our mission because they illustrate what's possible when a community comes together for animals in need. We hope you'll join us on October 3 to experience Peanut and Charlie's journeys firsthand.

Watch the Teaser

Incredible Experiences Await

While the stories provide the heart of the evening, the auctions and raffles bring plenty of excitement as well. This year's Gala features an incredible lineup of experiences, from dream vacations and unforgettable getaways to exclusive local adventures and one-of-a-kind opportunities for pet lovers.

A few highlights include a private Portland Timbers suite experience, a relaxing escape to Whitefish, Montana, and the chance to have your pet featured on HSSW's Mini Mobile Veterinary Clinic. Guests can also take their chances on exciting raffle experiences, including the Golden Paddle raffle, where one lucky winner will receive $5,000 to spend in the live auction, and Pick Your Paradise, an extraordinary European getaway for two.

The evening will also feature a silent auction filled with unique items, local favorites, and special experiences, offering even more ways to support animals in need. For a closer look at this year's live auction packages and raffle experiences, be sure to explore the Auction Package Preview booklet and start planning your bidding strategy before Gala night.

Auction Preview

Join Us for an Unforgettable Evening

The Unleash Your Heart Gala & Auction is HSSW's largest fundraising event of the year, but its impact extends far beyond a single evening. The funds raised help provide shelter, medical care, behavioral support, foster services, pet retention resources, and second chances for thousands of animals each year.

Most importantly, the Gala is a celebration of what our community can accomplish together. It is a chance to reflect on the lives that have been changed, honor the supporters who make this work possible, and invest in a brighter future for animals throughout Southwest Washington.

We hope you'll join us at ilani on October 3 for an evening filled with compassion, connection, and inspiration. Together, we can create even more stories of hope, healing, and second chances.

Reserve Your Spot

Gala & Auction is possible thanks to our incredible sponsors. Sponsorships support more than the event, they make it possible for us to achieve our vision of a community where everyone loves and cares for animals. 

Our Presenting Sponsors

Cowlitz Indian Tribe & Cowlitz Tribal Foundation Clark County Fund

The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is committed to building mutually supportive and long-lasting relationships with the organizations, communities, and people supporting the vast philanthropic and charitable activities within the State of Washington. Through intentional and careful planning and economic development, the Tribe plays a key role in the economy of the Pacific Northwest. HSSW is a proud partner with the Tribe and deeply grateful for their generous support. 

ilani

Our friends at ilani are generous hosts who truly go the extra mile to make Gala such a special evening. And their support extends well beyond Gala - they also host our Mobile Veterinary Clinic, helping us meet pets and people where they are and expand access to low-cost spay/neuter and wellness services. The partnership between ilani and HSSW is one that benefits the animals of Southwest Washington today and well into the future. And we're just one of the many organizations fortunate to be the recipient of their generous support.

Experience Sponsors

Civilized Wolf
Columbia Bank
Columbia Credit Union
Kam and Randy Garner
Lulu & Patti Kuhar
Leonardo's Pizzeria
Meadows Wealth Advisors
MedVet Vancouver
Midwest Trust & Advisors
OLS Technology
Pacific Northwest Pet ER & Specialty Center
Vancouver Pet Urgent Care
Wavemark Consulting

On August 13, the Sandra Richardson Mobile Veterinary Clinic rolled into Open House Ministries' Community Block Party in Vancouver, bringing free veterinary care directly to pets and families who needed it most. By the end of the day, our team had cared for 41 pets from 31 families, administered 133 vaccine doses, and provided more than $6,200 worth of veterinary services at no cost through HSSW's HELP Fund.

That day was more than a successful outreach event. It was a powerful example of what a year of investment in community veterinary care has made possible. As we celebrate the first anniversary of the Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic and Swigert Family Behavior & Training Center, we're reflecting on how these programs work together to expand access to care and keep pets with the families who love them.

Meeting Pets Where They Are

The Open House Ministries block party brought together organizations from across the community to provide vital services and resources for local families. Amid the food, activities, and community connections, HSSW's mobile veterinary team focused on ensuring pets received the care they needed.

Throughout the day, our team provided wellness exams, vaccinations, parasite prevention, deworming treatments, and microchips. Every pet received comprehensive care to resolve immediate health concerns and follow-up care recommendations to ensure they remain happy and healthy, A dog named Charlie received an ear cleaning, medication, and eye treatment all in one visit. Fifteen pets went home with new microchips, giving their families a permanent way to reconnect should they ever become separated. By the end of the event, 41 pets had received care they may not otherwise have been able to access.

The Foundation Behind the Impact

Events like the Open House Ministries block party are possible because of the foundation we've built through the Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic and the Swigert Family Behavior & Training Center, both of which are celebrating their first year of service.

Over the past year, the Community Veterinary Clinic completed 9,493 appointments serving 6,605 individual pets. Those visits included 3,775 spay and neuter surgeries, helping address one of the most significant gaps in veterinary care access facing local families. The clinic also provided 1,616 wellness exams, treated 889 sick patients, and performed 444 dental procedures, helping pets stay healthy and preventing small issues from becoming larger medical challenges.

At the same time, the Swigert Family Behavior & Training Center served 382 dogs through training classes, behavior consultations, post-adoption support, and other services designed to strengthen the bond between pets and their people. Together, these two programs allow HSSW to support the whole pet by addressing both medical and behavioral needs.

Expanding Care Across the Region

The impact of community medicine extends far beyond the walls of the Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic. Through the Sandra Richardson Mobile Veterinary Clinic, community outreach events, vaccine clinics, the Longview Veterinary Clinic, and the Swigert Family Behavior & Training Center, HSSW is reaching pets and families throughout Southwest Washington. Together, these programs help ensure that more animals have access to the care they need, and more families can keep their pets at home.

As we celebrate one year of the Community Veterinary Clinic and Behavior & Training Center, we're deeply proud of what we've accomplished together and excited about what's still ahead. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners who share our commitment to animals and the people who love them. Together, we're building a stronger safety net for pets throughout our region and getting closer to our vision of a community where everyone loves and cares for animals.