PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Commissioners plan to reestablish the Animal Issues Advisory Committee in wake of the closure of the Olympic Humane Society’s Bark House.
The three commissioners met Monday with animal rescue organizations, veterinarians and law enforcement officers to brainstorm short- and long-term solutions to deal with the county’s stray, abandoned and dangerous dogs.
“We’re obviously not going to solve the problem here today, but we’re looking at who wants to be a part of brainstorming,” Commissioner Mark Ozias said.
The Olympic Peninsula Humane Society’s (OPHS’s) Bark House is no longer taking in new dogs and will shutter its doors as soon as the last dog is adopted. Previously, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and Sequim and Port Angeles Police Departments had taken many of the dogs they picked up to the Bark House.
OPHS is closing the Bark House due to unsustainable operating costs coupled with a steady increase of dog surrenders, according to previous reporting.
Jason Stipp, executive director of the OPHS, said the long-term plan is to “get back into the business of rescuing as many dogs and cats as possible.”
OPHS hopes to open a selective dog intake shelter in its cat facility, Kitty City.
However, Stipp said that won’t happen for another two to three years at minimum. In the meantime, the county will still have dogs that need a place to stay.
Sheriff Brian King said his office impounded 26 dogs in 2023.
King said his biggest worry is dealing with dangerous dogs.
“What are we going to do with these vicious animals that we have to take?” King said.
Sequim and Port Angeles police departments also often deal with dog intakes.
Port Angeles Police Chief Brian Smith said he is concerned with where to keep dogs when someone who doesn’t live in Port Angeles is driving with their pet and gets booked for driving under the influence. He said his crew would likely have to drive to Kitsap County to get the animal housed.
Sequim Police Chief Mike Hill said he often sees people surrender their dogs when they can no longer take care of them.
Convened individuals brainstormed short- and long-term solutions for these challenges.
Organizations present included the Welfare for Animals Guild (WAG), The Rise Rescue Alliance, Fox Bell businesses, Huckleberry Housecalls Veterinary Services, Peninsula Friends of Animals, Best Friends Pet Care, Lilly’s Safe Haven and Center Valley Animal Rescue.
Many representatives from the organizations said they are already at capacity for dealing with dogs. However, they all offered to help.
Representatives from WAG offered to house dogs once it has available spots; those from Rise Rescue Alliance and Center Valley Animal Rescue said they can help dogs with behavioral issues; a representative from Peninsula Friends of Animals offered free dog supplies; and those from Best Friends Pet Care said they could provide low-cost spays and neuters.
Martha Vaughan and Shelby Vaughan, Fox Bell business owners, said they are considering buying the Bark House building and taking over some of OPHS’s work.
“I’m far more optimistic just listening to you all and the solutions that I see here,” King said.
In the short-term, Ozias will work with King to get the Animal Issues Advisory Committee on the work session next Monday. The committee, which was dissolved in 2017 due to lack of meetings, will include representatives from different animal organizations.
Ozias said there also should be representation from the Department of Community Development to make sure “we’re not tripping over our own feet right at the very beginning.”
The committee will work on trying to find dogs foster homes, inform the community about how to pick up a stray dog, share a list of what resources exist for animal emergencies and find long-term solutions to the problem.
Commissioner Randy Johnson said the fact that so many organizations showed up shows “our community cares, and that is the most important thing to getting towards a solution.”
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Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
