animal housing at wahs
Our shelter follows guidelines set forth by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians to determine maximum capacity for care, and to arrange the best housing practices for animals awaiting adoption. The building contains spacious housing for both cats and dogs, outdoor exercise yards, medical rooms, a pet food pantry, storage space, and visitation areas for adopters to meet the animals. A dedicated network of foster homes also exists to provide loving environments for animals not directly housed in the shelter.
feline friends
WAHS utilizes six open bays for group housing. These groupings of adoptable cats are separated by age, behavior, and/or temperament. Open bays enhance the quality of life for each animal while awaiting a forever home. This housing style also provides a better understanding of each cat’s personality, especially around other cats, that is relayed to interested adopters. Such information is extremely effective in pairing each person with their ideal cat! Adopters are able to visit in the open bays, which facilitates a more authentic interaction between potential adopters and available felines.
Before entering group housing, newly stray or surrendered cats are briefly kept separate from the larger cat population. Depending on space and current intake levels, new arrivals are temporarily housed in four large enclosures that still allow movement and activity while awaiting a full health checkup. A series of individual cages are available if isolation or bed rest is necessary.
canine companions
Dog amenities include 10 large kennels, 6 small kennels, a large indoor socialization area, and two spacious outdoor exercise yards. Dogs in the shelter are walked or socialized a minimum of 4 times per day by a dedicated group of volunteers. Without these giving individuals volunteering their time and passion, we simply would not be able to help so many wonderful canines!
Foster homes
For young kittens, puppies, pregnant females, an influx of intakes, or special needs animals, WAHS relies on a dedicated network of volunteer foster homes. Animals are housed in loving home environments until they’re able to return to the shelter and get adopted. In some cases, animals are adopted directly from the foster home (following our standard adoption procedures). Foster homes are an invaluable resource to our mission - and we’re always looking for more to join our network!
