SILVERDALE — The newly renovated Puppy Room at Kitsap Humane Society officially opened July 21 at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The renovations were funded by a $90,000 state grant awarded to KHS in 2015. State Rep. Sherry Appleton (D-23rd, Poulsbo), who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony, helped KHS secure this 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 while they continue to see a rise in the number of animals coming to the shelter.

Kitsap Humane Society is a nonprofit charitable organization that has been caring for animals in need since 1908. KHS found new homes for over 5,500 animals last year and maintains a 95-percent lives-saved rate. KHS’ vision is that every adoptable companion animal has a home. For more information, visit www.kitsap-humane.org.

— Edited by Michelle Beahm