After a long 14 hours, KHS faced our largest animal seizure ever. We found the quick response of community support to be an overwhelming act of generosity. KHS Animal Control officers, with the assistance of Pierce County Animal Control, staff and volunteers removed more than 150 animals from a property in Olalla while many volunteers and medical personnel prepped the shelter for their arrival.

Medical personnel included Dr. Moore from All Creatures Animal Hospital & Apple Tree Cove and staff members from VCA Olympic and VCA Central Kitsap. They assisted with health exams and responded for assistance. Within hours, we received much needed vet staff and volunteers to process in the animals, receive health exams, prep their living quarters and begin continued care.

Thank you to the countless volunteers and staff who worked until 9:30 p.m. Thursday and continue to show up. Thankfully, not one animal was euthanized although some animals were moved to offsite facilities for specialized medical treatment. Although KHS cannot currently move forward with rescue or adoption placement, we will begin utilizing foster homes while we wait for the case to move through the court system.

We received more than 100-plus messages from rescues and private individuals offering foster homes and we are compiling lists of those willing to help. We are working to reply as quick as possible to all inquiries and ask that you please be patient. We have received donations such as feed, hay and straw to aid in the ongoing animal care. Special thanks to Poulsbo Grain and Feed, Del’s Feed and Farm Supply, Farmland and private individuals who responded immediately with food and supplies.

We will be in continuous need of Xpens, Timothy hay, kale, straw, rabbit food, shavings and all-purpose poultry items. We are very limited on space and ask if you are willing to make a donation, please provide your contact information, the item you wish to donate and wait to hear from a staff member for a delivery date. KHS is also in need of financial assistance to help with vaccines, worming and medical treatment. A tough shed is in high demand to accommodate the larger food supply needed on premises.

We estimate approx $600-$800 a week to feed and care for 173 animals. For those of you wishing to assist, but need to know species, animals seized include a pig, mini ponies, sheep, goat, llama, alpaca, ducks, geese, pheasant, chickens, quail, rabbits, dogs and cats. Normally a shelter taking on such a large magnitude of animals would not have the ability to call around to various organizations for support and primarily focuses on managing the care for the overwhelming number of animals. But the community response has allowed KHS to handle this crisis smoothly. No matter the size or undertaking, we must never lose sight of our responsibility to end the suffering of animal victims and do whatever it takes to get them proper care and placement. Thank you to all who offered support.

Medical personnel examine a cat soon after the seizure.

Many rabbits were among the animals seized by KHS.

Dogs (like this one on the property) were also removed from the premises and taken to KHS.