SILVERDALE, WA –Kitsap Humane Society (KHS) recently added two new key positions to its organization, an Assistant Director of Animal Welfare and a second full-time Veterinarian. These new positions come at a crucial time for the organization as it is experiencing significant growth. The number of animals coming into the shelter has risen over 30 percent and animals adopted out has increased by 39 percent over the past two years.

Sarah Moody-Cook is now serving as Assistant Director of Animal Welfare and will focus on expanding the shelter’s community and life-saving programs (Adoption, Volunteer, Rescue Me/Transfer and Foster Care). Cook, a longtime KHS employee, began at KHS as a volunteer in 2002, then went on to work in Animal Care, Veterinary Services and as the organization’s Volunteer Coordinator beginning in 2013. Cook is excited to be taking on this new role, stating that her “goal in this position is to professionalize programs at KHS and provide support for KHS staff and volunteers, so that we can achieve the shelter’s life-saving objectives and improve upon overall shelter operations.”

Dr. Nick Urbanek joined the KHS team as its second full-time Veterinarian, working under Director of Medical Services Dr. Jen Stonequist. Dr. Urbanek received his veterinary degree from the University of Glasgow, and has been practicing in the United States for the last few years. He has had experience as a small animal practitioner and more recently in shelter medicine, coming to KHS from Seattle Humane Society. Dr. Urbanek “has a passion for shelter medicine and is looking forward to joining a well rounded, progressive group of people ready to save lives in Kitsap County.” He will provide a vital role in support of the medical care and surgeries at KHS, which included 5,431 spay/neuter procedures in 2015 alone.

These new additions to the staff will not only allow KHS to continue to welcome high volumes of animals to their shelter, but will allow KHS to grow and maintain an excellent level of individualized care for the animals that spend time there.