Have questions about volunteering with us? Get your most common questions answered here! Frequently asked questions Volunteering FAQ How old do I have to be to visit the shelter? Anyone is welcome to visit the shelter during our open hours! We do have some restrictions about who can see and interact with shelter pets: - You must be at least 18 years old to enter our dog kennels or to interact with our adoptable dogs without a parent or guardian present. - You must be at least 18 years old to interact with our adoptable cats without a parent or guardian present (unless you're working a junior volunteer (https://www.humanesocietyofthepalouse.org/_files/ugd/255cdc_8b3978b65fdf41148bbc3b3de92de8c8.pdf)shift). - Those 17 and under are welcome to visit the shelter and interact will all of our adoptable pets, so long as they're accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. How old do I have to be to volunteer? We offer volunteering for those age 12 and older. HSoP cannot accommodate volunteers below the age of 12. Junior volunteering is offered 2:00-5:00pm Monday through Friday. Junior volunteers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during their first shift, and can come in for one unsupervised hour at a time following that. Junior volunteers cannot enter our dog kennels or interact with our dogs without having a parent or guardian present. Be sure to visit our volunteer page (https://www.humanesocietyofthepalouse.org/volunteer)to learn more about junior volunteering! When is HSoP open for volunteers? HSoP is open for volunteers Monday through Friday from 2:00 PM through 5:00 PM. To volunteer, call us ahead of time at (208) 883-1166 to get on our volunteer schedule. What kinds of things can I do as a volunteer? Lots of different things! Our volunteers help in a multitude of ways, here are a few examples: - Spend time playing with our dogs outside - Exercise our cats by playing in the adoption room - Help HSoP staff with laundry and other cleaning duties - Make special treats that provide enrichment for our pets - Spend time brushing out both cats and dogs - Take cute pictures of our pets to help them gain attention online - Give some attention to our friends in the small animal room Volunteers can also help us with special events like fundraisers and shelter clean-up days! What should I wear when I volunteer? Wear long pants and flat, closed-toe, waterproof shoes. Please wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty! Will I receive any training before volunteering? During your first volunteer shift, a HSoP staff member will give you a short orientation. They will walk you through our facility and explain how you can stay safe while you are volunteering and how you can help keep the animals safe as well. The staff member will show you our volunteer board that has different tasks you can sign up for helping HSoP with. When can I start Volunteering? In order to volunteer with the Humane Society of the Palouse, you must complete the required volunteer form (https://4a4fc64e-7b4a-4ada-9745-8fbae020d19b.filesusr.com/ugd/255cdc_b0ceb34a5ed0453889376f1316eb038b.docx?dn=Volunteer%20App%2002.22.2022.docx)and arrange a time to come in for your first shift. Please call HSoP at 208-883-1166 to get on our volunteer schedule. I have a group that wants to come help HSoP. When can we come? All of us here at HSoP are grateful for all the interest in group volunteering. However, we do not have the space in our tiny facility to accommodate groups larger than 3 at one time. If you are interested your group helping HSoP, we have a list of group volunteering ideas and DIY volunteering ideas listed on our volunteer page.(https://www.humanesocietyofthepalouse.org/volunteer) You can also email us at information@humanesocietyofthepalouse.org (information@humanesocietyofthepalouse.org)with any group volunteering ideas. Why can't HSoP take in large groups of volunteers? During our regular hours of operation, having such a small facility, there simply isn’t enough space for large groups of volunteers and potential adopters. We are very grateful for the interest in having groups come in helping the homeless animals. However, allowing enough space for potential adopters to come in during our hours of operation is what is needed in order to find homeless animals their forever homes. I have court mandated community service. Can I do my hours with HSoP? Yes. HSoP can take in volunteers needing to complete disciplinary community service Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM. You must schedule in advance by calling us at (208) 883-1166. For more information, visit the Court Mandated Community Service section on our volunteer page.(https://www.humanesocietyofthepalouse.org/volunteer) I have completed volunteer training at a different Humane Society. Can I skip HSoP volunteer training? That’s great—thank you for your previous service—however, each humane society, animal control facility, or rescue group is an independent agency, so very few of us are connected locally (as in some states) or to any organization on a national level. Therefore, our policies and procedures might be completely different from the facility where you previously volunteered. Most shelters adhere to a “Standards of Best Practices/Care” so there are certainly some similarities; however, we need you to be familiar with our shelter and our policies/procedures. This includes training for dog walking. I am an avid runner. Can I take HSoP dogs on a run with me? As with people, dogs need to slowly build up muscle strength and endurance in order to avoid potential injury when running or jogging. The dogs HSoP has up for adoption have not had the training needed to prevent injury or to build the endurance to sustain them on runs. To avoid injury, we do not allow running or jogging without first being conditioned to do so. I want to volunteer by making blankets for your pets. What size should the blankets be? Our pets would absolutely love some snuggly homemade blankets! We can typically use any size blanket for our pets, but some dimensions do work better for our cat kennels and dog beds. For blankets that fit each of our cat kennels, we would recommend the size to be about 20"x 24". For blankets that fit the beds in each of our dog kennels, we would recommend the size to be about 24"x 36". I can't give my time right now, but I would still like to help HSoP. There are many ways to support our work! Make a financial contribution. Visit our Donate page f(https://www.humanesocietyofthepalouse.org/donate)or options. Make an in-kind donation. With just a few simple clicks, you can send much needed supplies to our shelter through our Amazon Wish List,(http://a.co/aG94dgi) our Kitten Supplies Amazon Wish List (http://a.co/i6FEbsv)or our Wish List for donations (javascript:void(0))that may be dropped off at the shelter during open business hours.

Learn about our feeding assitance program. We offer a pet food pantry for owners who may be struggling to feed their animals, learn more here. HSoP Pet Food & Supply Pantry We understand that times can be tough. When you're in a difficult situation, the last thing you want to worry about is being able to afford food for your beloved pets. Our Pet Food and Supply Pantry is here to help! Funded entirely by donations from the community, this resource keeps pets and their people together by providing a variety of pet food at no cost to the owner. Pet food is only available as donations allow, and we cannot guarantee having available food, or a specific type of food, at any given time. We ask that only those who are truly in need of assistance make use of the pet pantry. If you're in need of assistance, please visit the shelter between 1:00-6:00pm Monday through Saturday. We're located at 2019 E White Ave Moscow, Idaho. You an also call us at (208) 883-1166 to see if we have available food before making the trip over. This resource is available for all Latah County pet owners . The pantry regularly has other helpful pet items, including but not limited to: cat litter, potty pads, dog/cat treats, collars, leashes, dog shampoo, waste bags, brushes, and much more. If you're in need of specific pet supplies, please let us know and we will do our best to help. Thank you ICCU! Did you buy your pet a new type of food, but they wouldn't eat it? Did you switch your pet's diet, and still have some of the old food left over? Please consider donating unwanted pet food to HSoP, so we can provide it to a pet in need. We accept both open and unopened bags of food, and the expiration date must be visible. The HSoP Pet Food and Supply Pantry operates entirely on donations from our community. Idaho Central Credit Union is a great supporter of our pet pantry! They've donated several cars worth of food and other supplies, making a huge difference for pets in need. Thank you, ICCU!

Learn what life looks like after adopting your new pet. The transition can be difficult at times. Visit this page for helpful tips! After Adoption 7-Day Health Guarantee and Foster Period We provide a 7-day health guarantee for each pet adopted from our facility. Within the first 7 days of adoption, if you discover a medical condition that existed prior to adoption, we’ll work with our vet partner, Animal Clinic and Hospital , to provide medical attention at no charge to you. During the first seven days, all medical decisions must be approved by HSoP. If you notice a non-emergent medical concern during your 7-day foster period, please contact HSoP before seeking vet care so we can arrange with Animal Clinic. The first 7 days are a trial period, we call it a foster period. This gives you time to decide for certain whether the adoption was a good fit for you and your family. We understand that 7 days is not very much time to get to know your new friend, or for your new pet to relax and feel completely comfortable. If you would like to have more time together before making a final decision, please contact HSoP. Any time after adoption, please feel free to contact HSoP for any counseling needs you may have with your new family member. We will always do our very best to help. How to help your new family member adjust during their transition from shelter to a home. When you bring your new dog or cat home from the shelter, it's a day for celebration. However, try to look at things from your new friends’ point of view before jumping into any festivities. He has left a busy, noisy environment and is traveling in a car with new people he does not know to a place he does not know. It is no surprise that he may be a little anxious or overwhelmed. Be patient. This is a huge change for your new pet! Even though all the humans involved know this is a positive change, remember to give your new friend the appropriate amount of time to learn this for themselves. Their last major life change was arriving at HSoP. It may take more time than anticipated to help your furry friend acclimate and understand that this unfamiliar place is now home. Sometimes, they can surprise us all and feel instantly at home! Take it slow. Focus on building a strong relationship and bond with your new pet before exciting them too much with outings like car rides, hikes, or dog park visits. Give them time to establish full trust in you before taking them to new environments or inviting large groups of people into your home. We understand that having a new addition to the family is very exciting! However, it's important that they have time to properly acclimate before being introduced to all of your family and friends. Contact HSoP If you need advice, guidance, or counseling after adoption, we would be happy to help in any way we can. Please contact us with any questions and/or concerns. Call us at 208-883-1166 Email us at information@humanesocietyofthepalouse.org Share your adoption Story! Thank you for adopting and giving one of our animals a second chance in life! Share your pets’ new beginning with us! We just love to hear how things are going for each of the companion animals adopted from HSoP. Your new family member had a profound impact on the lives of each of our staff members, and some shelter employees can even remember hundreds of HSoP alumni by heart! We each formed strong bonds with your pet during their stay with us, as we watched them change, grow, and in many cases, blossom into wonderful and loving companions. We are always so grateful to stay "in the loop" and hear how past shelter residents are doing. All of our staff eagerly look forward to post-adoption photos, updates, and videos. Please always feel free to share how your furry best friend is enjoying their new life! Email your story to information@humanesocietyofthepalouse.org Share them on our Facebook page.

A breakdown of how many lives were saved through HSoP in 2020. This shows how many animals were brought in, how many found forever homes, and how many benefitted from our programs. Life-saving statistics It's important for our supporters to know how their contributions are used, and how many lives we save each year. Below you will find our statistics for the calendar year (January-December). 2024 Calendar Year Statistics Total animals brought to HSoP: 510 Total animals adopted: 329 Total animals returned to owner: 161 2024 save rate: 97% Total identification provided to owned pets: 70 Total owned pets fixed through SNAP : 49 Total feral cats fixed through TNR Program : 81 Total owned pets assisted through our Pet Supply Pantry : 2,236 Total HSoP volunteers : 277 Total hours spent volunteering at HSoP: 1,498 2023 Calendar Year Statistics Total animals brought to HSoP: 501 Total animals adopted: 259 Total animals returned to owner: 185 2023 save rate: 97% Total owned pets microchipped: 46 Total name tags made for owned pets: 52 Total owned pets fixed through SNAP : 46 Total feral cats fixed through TNR Program : 89 Total owned pets assisted through our Pet Supply Pantry : 2,371 Total HSoP volunteers : 264 Total hours spent volunteering at HSoP: 1,319

Get your adoption questions answered here. Adoption FAQ Why does HSoP check with landords? A majority of the dogs and cats surrendered to HSoP are surrendered due to the owners not being allowed to own pets where they live. Adopting an animal into rental that does not allow pets will only set that pet up for failure, with the potential for them to end up right back where they started. We strongly believe that pets should be adopted into welcoming environments, where they cannot risk eviction for themselves or their owner. These are some potential consequences of harboring a companion animal in a non-pet-friendly living environment: Fines In some cases, your landlord may fine you if you sneak a pet in without approval. Fines generally apply per pet. While some landlords may charge a set amount, others can attempt to charge you for every day the pet lives in your rental. In order for your landlord to charge you, details about any possible pet-related fines must be covered in your lease. If your landlord asks for an amount not detailed in the lease, you may be able to file a case in civil court to recoup your costs, but the court doesn't have the legal right to allow you to keep the pet. Pet removal If your lease has a no-pet clause and you get a pet, your landlord will have the legal right to ask you to remove the animal from the property. If you want to keep your pet, you’ll have to move. To move during your lease, you’ll have to break the lease and pay hefty penalties, sublet your rental, or work out an arrangement with your landlord to end the agreement early. Eviction Most landlords are willing to work with their tenants, even if they do break the lease. However, some landlords won’t. If you’re caught sneaking in a pet, your landlord may have the right to evict you. If you’re evicted, your landlord may sue you for the remainder of your lease payment. Recovering from an eviction may be difficult. Any future landlords can learn about your eviction history, and that may make it more difficult to rent again in the future. This can also be reflected on your credit score. Some landlords have a strict no-pet policy because they do not have insurance that covers pets, or other tenants in the apartment might be allergic to cats/dogs and sensitive to the animals living in a shared space. Always check with your landlord to see if you are allowed to have pets or check your lease agreement. How old do I need to be in order to adopt? All adopters must be over 18 years of age or have their legal guardian present. How old do I have to be to visit the shelter? Anyone is welcome to visit the shelter during our open hours! We do have some restrictions about who can see, interact with, and adopt our wonderful pets: - Adopters must be 18 years old or older. - Minors cannot interact with any of our adoptable pets without a parent or guardian present (unless they're working a junior volunteer shift)(https://www.humanesocietyofthepalouse.org/_files/ugd/255cdc_8b3978b65fdf41148bbc3b3de92de8c8.pdf). What do I do to adopt? Please visit the HSoP Adoption Process webpage (https://www.humanesocietyofthepalouse.org/hsop-adoption-procedure)to learn more about the steps involved in adopting your new best friend. Here is what the process generally looks like: - Find your furry friend at HSoP! - Complete a general screening application - Complete an adoption contract - Review your new pet's medical history - Pay the adoption fee - Take your furry best friend home with you! Why adopt from HSoP? We don’t sell pets; we adopt them into responsible and loving homes. We are dedicated to finding forever homes for the animals under our care, we want these animals’ adoptive homes to be safe, loving, and permanent! We also strive to find the best match for our adopters. Assuring a good match between an animal and the new family, is our number one priority. We want the animals and your family to be safe and happy. Our adoption policies reflect this commitment. Our support services, including adoption counseling and follow-up behavior counseling, are a major perk of adopting from us. Each adoption has a seven day “foster period” and health guarantee. Plus, our adoption fees are much less than the costs of the preventative care each animal receives prior to adoption. Preventative Care: Every Companion animal adopted from HSoP has already received the following and is included in the adoption fee. Dogs are $135.00 and Cats are $100.00. Providing these preventative measures on your own could costs upwards of $300.00! All HSoP adoptable pets are: - Spayed or neutered - Up to date on all yearly vaccines - Microchipped Does HSoP place adoptable animals on hold? With an approved application, HSoP can put animals on a 24 hour hold. However, HSoP does not put kittens or puppies under one year of age on hold. Animals must be adult animals in order to be placed on a temporary hold of 24 hours. Does HSoP do same day adoptions? Absolutely, adoptions can happen the same day you apply! It all depends on the pet you're applying for. There are times when this does not apply. For instance, if you are applying for an animal that is not spayed or neutered yet, you will have to wait to take your new friend home until after their surgery. Why can’t I take my new pet home today? I promise I will bring him/her back. It is the policy of Humane Society of the Palouse that all animals are to be spayed or neutered before they leave the shelter. We make sure your newly adopted pet is put on the next available surgery day to ensure you will be able to take your pet home as soon as possible. We want to do our part in controlling the pet population and this policy ensures that we do. As well as some of the funding HSoP recieves through grants stipulate that HSoP must have a manditory spay and neuter policy. What if the adoption isn't working out? Can I return my new pet? Happiness matters-for you and your new pet. Your adoption satisfaction is guaranteed. If you adopt a pet from HSoP and discover that you are not compatible, you may return the pet within the first 7 days and receive a refund of your adoption fee or an exchange for another pet that will meet your needs. You can always extend your foster period if you would like more time. Contact HSoP 208-883-1166 during your first 7 days if you would like an extension. We want to place the right pet in the right home and eliminate any perceived risk that might be associated with adopting. Our new policy will help ensure a good fit for both the adopter and the animal, improve customer satisfaction, and hopefully increase the number of adoptions. Ultimately, if people are happy with the pets they adopt, the pets are going to be happy too. After the 7 day foster period, you can still return your new pet, but you will need to make arrangements first. HSoP does not euthanize to make space, so you may need to be placed on our waitlist if you need to return outside of your foster period. If outside of your foster period, HSoP will not refund you adoption fee and depending on the length of time, you may be required to pay an owner surrender fee. Contact HSoP with any questions you may have 208-883-1166. Can I adopt a pet without getting them fixed? No, it is one of the policies of the Humane Society of the Palouse to spay or neuter every animal that is adopted. The surgery is included in the adoption price. We feel that as a shelter it is our responsibility to help curb animal overpopulation by spaying and neutering our adoptable animals and to promote responsible pet ownership. Am I ready to adopt? Adopting a pet is a lifelong commitment. Besides love, have you thought about the time, training, and financial responsibility involved with owning a pet? Are you aware of what the laws are regarding pet ownership? We take the adoption process very seriously. We strive to ensure that each pet finds the proper family and that each family finds a pet that will match their lifestyle. For an adoption to be successful, you must truly understand the level of care and commitment required for a successful adoption. Each animal is an individual. Each requires a different system of care, ranging from exercise to training to grooming needs. It is beneficial for you and your pet to do as much research as possible before selecting and taking your new companion home. We make an emotional commitment to each animal in our care. We have an obligation to ensure that the new relationship between your family and your new companion will thrive for a lifetime. Here are some points to ponder: • Consider that this decision will last for many years. Adopting an animal, is making an 18-year commitment. • Evaluate your schedule to see if you have the time to commit to a pet. All pets need basic care, exercise, playtime and love. We recommend that you allow at least 2 hours per day in your schedule for walks, exercise and other basic needs. Some pets may require more time. • Evaluate your budget. Over the lifetime of a pet, the cost of ownership can be quite high. We advise adopters to budget at least $1,500 – $2,000 per year for expenses. • Consider how you will handle special challenges that will come along. Housebreaking, furniture damage, and medical issues are all common in the lifespan of a pet. Be sure you have the time and money to tackle these issues. • Research the pet rules of your living situation. If renting or in a condo/co-op, inquire about size, breed, age, training requirements and pet deposits. Get the policy in writing. If you own, check with your homeowners’ insurance or HOA to find out if they have breed restrictions. • Evaluate your current lifestyle. If you’re about to move, enter college or take a new promotion requiring more hours on the job, you may want to wait until you’re more settled. • List some of the challenges your living situation presents to be sure your new pet is a good match. For example: a barking terrier may not be a good choice for apartment living. • Research pet care options for when you’re traveling. You’ll need to plan to take your new pet along or arrange for care through family and friends, or a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service. • Identify how to pet-proof your home. We encourage adopters to keep their pets indoors. Companion animals live longer, have better health and are happier if they can be inside (even at night) with their families. • Familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations and be an ambassador for responsible pet ownership. By following rabies, license, and leash laws, keeping ID tags on your pet, cleaning up after your pet, and practicing in responsible pet ownership, your actions will encourage others to do the same. What kind of pet is right for me? Check out this great article and learn what pet is right for you. Meet your Match(http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/what_kind_pet_right_for_you.html?credit=web_id83611694) Why do shelters and rescues ask adopters so many questions? Consider why pets are surrendered in the first place. Among the top five reasons that people give up their pets, three are common to both dogs and cats: landlord issues, moving, and the cost of pet care. For dogs, the other most common reasons include lack of time and inadequate facilities. For cats, it's allergies and having too many cats to care for. Many animals lose their homes because their owners weren't prepared to invest the necessary money and time to care for a pet. In other cases, families and pets are mismatched. Consider these all-too-common scenarios: A high-energy dog is adopted by a family that doesn't have time for extensive daily exercise A skittish kitten is chosen by rambunctious children whose parents aren't inclined to actively supervise their kids A bunny with a predictable fondness for chewing catches the eye of someone who has no interest in rabbit-proofing her home. To prevent such painful situations for both the pets and people involved, shelters and rescue groups carefully evaluate adopters in the hope of avoiding these mismatched relationships. Adoption FAQs

Meet the staff at our shelter! Learn about our animal care attendants, our shelter director, and our public relations manager. Meet the HSoP Staff CEO (Cat Executive Officer) The CEO (Cat Executive Officer) is a very important role at HSoP. As our sole CEO, NoTail ensures that everyone at the shelter is doing what they're supposed to be doing. She also works hard at being our greeter, HR representative, security guard, and overall bringer-of-joy. Make sure to pay NoTail her kisses tax the next time you visit HSoP! She can usually be found on our front counter during open hours. NoTail is a bit of a legend around here, and is celebrating her (estimated) 20th Birthday in May of 2025! Animal Care Attendants HSoP Animal Care Attendants (ACA) properly care for and humanely and safely handle all companion animals under HSoP care until they are reunited with their families or adopted into loving and responsible homes through adoption counseling. Megan Aurora Operations Manager The Operations Manager is responsible for the effective and efficient daily operation of the Humane Society of the Palouse, ensuring that all animals are properly cared for and humanely handled. The Operations Manager shall also be responsible for animal capacity, overseeing interactions of the staff and public, and the oversight of programs and services provided by HSoP. Kassidy Shelter Director The Shelter Director shall be responsible for the overall operations and the management of finances for the organization, while building and maintaining relationships within the community. Additionally, the Shelter Director will support the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability by focusing on fundraising, resource development, and policy implementation. Sierah To reach Sierah directly, please contact her through email at director@humanesocietyofthepalouse.org

Learn about the fees associated with our shelter. Learn about adoption fees, boarding fees, and City of Moscow fees. HSoP Fees HSoP Adoption Fees Feline Adoption Fee (0-5 years old): Feline Adoption Fee (6+ years old): 2nd Feline Adoption within 6 Months: Cat Carriers: Canine Adoption Fee (0-5 years old): Canine Adoption Fee (6+ years old): 2nd Canine Adoption within 6 Months: Small Animal Adoption Fee: $100.00 $50.00 $50.00 $5.00 $135.00 $67.50 $67.50 $50.00 Adopt HSoP Fees for releasing an owned stray animal Boarding of a stray feline: Boarding of a stray canine: Canine Intake Fee: Feline Intake Fee: $5.00/night $10.00/night $20.00 $10.00 Why is there a boarding fee? Any feline that is at HSoP, costs HSoP $5.00 per feline per day to provide food, water, litter, shelter and staff wages to attend to that feline. Any canine that is at HSoP, costs HSoP $10.00 per canine per day to provide food, water, shelter and staff wages to attend to that canine. Without charging owners boarding fees for the services provided by HSoP, HSoP would not be able to provide a safe place for stray animals to temporarily stay while the owners are reached. Why is there an intake fee? Anytime a kennel is in use, it limits the amount of animals HSoP can take in. Should an animal need to utilize a kennel, there is a fee associated with that use, and the staff wages to provide that kennel and properly sanitize between use. Medical care for stray owned animals: Should a owned stray arrive at HSoP in need of immediate veterinary care and an owner cannot be contacted, HSoP will use their vet partner to provide needed care to stabilize the stray animal. Owners will be required to pay any vet care costs associated with stabilization and pain management before their animal can be released back to their care. City of Moscow Fees *** An Impound is any stray animal brought into HSoP by a City of Moscow affiliate, for example, if brought in by a Moscow Police Officer or Animal Control Officer.*** These fees are to the city. HSoP can only accept cash or check. If writing a check, it must be made out to City of Moscow. Impound Fee: City License Fee: 1st Impound 2nd Impound 3rd Impound If altered If intact $20.00 $30.00 $40.00 $25.00 $35.00 Should an owner wish to discuss City Fees, please contact the City of Moscow Police Department at 208-882-2677. HSoP cannot waive these fees. City of Moscow fees must be waived by the Moscow Police Department. To learn more about City of Moscow Animal Code: City of Moscow Code Intake Fees for Owned Animals Feline Owner Surrender under 6 months: Feline Owner Surrender Adult: Canine Owner Surrender under 2 months: Canine Owner Surrender 2-6 months: Canine Owner Surrender Adult: Small Animal Owner Surrender: $15 $35 $15 $25 $50 $15 To learn more about surrendering an owned animal: Owner Surrender

HSoP Quarterly Newsletter Archive Every three months, we send out a quarterly e-newsletter that summarizes all of the important and adorable happenings at HSoP. It details our favorite events and fundraisers, heart-warming adoption stories, acts of kindness from our pet-loving community, and, of course, adorable photos of HSoP animals! If you'd like to join our mailing list and receive these newsletters as soon as they're sent out, be sure to sign up at the bottom of our website. To read through any of our previous newsletters, follow the links below. Quarterly Newsletter 1: April - June 2021 Quarterly Newsletter 2: July - September 2021 Quarterly Newsletter 3: October - December 2021 Quarterly Newsletter 4: January - March 2022 Quarterly Newsletter 5: April - June 2022 Quarterly Newsletter 6: July - September 2022 Quarterly Newsletter 7: October - December 2022 Quarterly Newsletter 8: January - March 2023 Quarterly Newsletter 9: April - June 2023 Quarterly Newsletter 10: July - Septembe r 2023 Quarterly Newsletter 11: October - December 2023 Quarterly Newsletter 12: January - March 2024 Quarterly Newsletter 13: April - June 2024 Quarterly Newsletter 14: July - September 2024

The importance of enrichment for all pets! Learn about some of the best ways to keep your pets happy, healthy, and entertained! Pet Enrichment Enrichment for animals is extremely important. Enrichment allows animals to demonstrate their species-specific behavior, gives them opportunity to exercise control or choice over their environment, and enhances their physical and mental well-being. Enrichment is just as essential to animal welfare as proper nutrition and veterinary care. Enrichment can be completed using the five senses: sight, scent, touch, taste, and hearing. HSoP strives to find new and innovative ways to enrich the lives of the pets in our care. Here is some ideas and information about enrichment! Playing soft music in the background Pandora has animal-specific, calming radio stations YouTube has quite a few hour-long videos of soft and comforting music This is especially helpful for pets with separation anxiety or stress. Toys This sounds very obvious, but finding the toys each individual animal enjoys the most is key to enrichment. Find out if your pet likes toys that make noise, toys that are soft, or toys they can chew on. Always monitor your pet with a new toy. Make sure the toy is size appropriate to your pet, and that they do not attempt to eat the toy or any of the pieces. Puzzle bowls and puzzle toys There are certain bowls and toys that allow you to put the pets kibble or treats inside. This allows your pet to not only exercise and work for the food, but also gives good mental stimulation! Variety of Treats There are the usual treats that we all love to give our pets, but giving them treats that will also stimulate them mentally is best! Stuffed kongs are great treats to keep your pet happy and distracted. Visit https://www.puppyleaks.com/healthy-foods-you-can-stuff-in-a-kong/ for ideas on stuffing kongs. Frozen treats are a great option too! Freezing canned food for your pet will give them a yummy, interactive treat on a hot day! Playing videos or opening a window for sight-seeing Some animals enjoy watching videos on a TV or computer There are bird videos on Youtube for your cat to watch and enjoy Opening the blinds of your home windows allows your pets to see the outside world, from the safety of the indoors. Animals love different and new smells You can put a few drops of diluted essential oils like lavender, cherry, vanilla, etc. (Always dilute the essential oils, as animals can be delicate to strong smells. Do not put essential oils on your pets body.) Kitties love catnip! Always let your dog sniff on walks, dogs love to sniff new things. Touch Some animals enjoy soft things to lay on, try offering your furry friend a padded pet bed or fluffy blanket for them to rest on. Cats really enjoy scratching and using their nails! Offer them appropriate things to scratch on like cat trees or cardboard!

Support local pets in need while walking your dog! Download WoofTrax today and select HSoP as your preferred shelter. When you walk while using the app, they'll donate to support our cause! Raise Money for HSoP on WoofTrax! Did you know that you can generate funds for HSoP and the pets we serve, just by walking your dog? WoofTrax is an app that turns your daily walks into donations that help pets in need at your local shelter. Getting started is easy, and there is truly no cost to you! Here's are the steps: Download WoofTrax from the App Store or Google Play Store. Create an account and select Humane Society of the Palouse as your preferred charity. Open the app when you take your pups for a walk, and start raising funds for HSoP! WoofTrax will make a donation to HSoP based on the distance you walked. It really is that easy! If you own a dog, you may already go on several walks per day. WoofTrax is a great way to make your outings extra meaningful. When you walk while supporting HSoP, you're helping us provide second chance to every lost and homeless pet who comes our way. Download WoofTrax today! (P.S. You can walk without a dog and still raise funds for HSoP!) You may be wondering how WoofTrax donates money to our cause with our costing you a dime. Great question! The answer is quite simple, really. WoofTrax receives money from advertisements shown on the app, and this money is distributed to shelters based on the preference of walkers who see the ads. Visit the WoofTrax Website