Kitsap Humane Society (KHS) opened the organization’s newly renovated Puppy Room on July 21, 2016 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by State Representative Sherry Appleton of the 23^rd District and Kitsap Humane Society’s management team.

The Puppy Room renovations were funded by a $90,000 state grant awarded to the organization in 2015. Rep.  Appleton, who has a great passion for animals and animal welfare, fought hard for KHS to secure this important grant.

The funds from the grant allowed the shelter to purchase and install state-of-the-art dog kennels, as well as remodel the space for better lighting, drainage and ventilation. Additionally, KHS will be able to perform an electrical upgrade to its laundry room and purchase a new and larger washing machine to meet the huge daily need for clean pet bedding.

The Puppy Room renovations began in May 2016 and include newer, larger kennels with access doors between units, new flooring which includes a new drainage system, new lighting and paint.

“The new kennels in the Puppy Room are state-of-the-art, and help KHS meet the field’s best practices for housing small dogs and puppies,” said Natalie Smith, KHS’ Animal Welfare Director. “Individual kennels are connected to each other with pass-through doors which can be opened to provide extra space for scared dogs, puppies or bonded pairs of dogs.”

” Scared and nervous animals instinctually prefer to have a private area where they can retreat to when they are feeling overwhelmed, and studies show that by providing them with that second space, they adjust and become less fearful more quickly,” Smith said.

The shelter often takes in pairs of small dogs that do best when kenneled together, but the former small dog kennels did not provide enough space for two small dogs to be housed together. By giving dogs added space in multiple connected kennels, dogs are less stressed and more happy, and staff can clean the kennels more effectively and safely.

The renovated Puppy Room will allow the organization to continue improving the individualized care given to each animal they care for while they continue to see a rise in the number of animals coming to the shelter.