This past year Kitsap Humane Society (KHS) began construction on new small dog kennels within the shelter. Upon its completion in late 2013, KHS’ overall capacity for dogs has increased by 20 percent with the 12 new kennels, for a total of 72 dog kennels.

This has led to improved living conditions of the small dogs by housing them in new, state-of-the-art kennels.

By creating this extra space, KHS has now been able to partner with rescue groups around Washington and California in a new program which allows the transfer of dogs from other overcrowded shelters.

These are dogs that would otherwise be euthanized simply because the shelters lack the resources to care for them for an extended period of time.

“Kitsap Humane Society has been very fortunate in that we are able to adopt out animals so quickly,” said customer service representative Brooke Davis. “Every time we get a new group of transfer dogs they seem to be adopted within a few days. Then it is just a matter of waiting for the next group to get here and we do it all over again.”

With the addition of the new kennels and the transfer program, KHS has seen an increase in its dog adoptions by 28 percent in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same time frame last year.

To date, 175 of the 342 dog adoptions were transfer dogs. These increases are even more impressive in what is typically considered the slowest adoption months of the year, according to KHS officials. KHS will be speaking more about the dog transfer program in a presentation by Director of Shelter Medicine Dr. Jennifer Stonequist on Saturday, April 12,  at 3 p.m., at its annual board of directors meeting.

The meeting will be held at the Oxford Suites, Silverdale, and the public is invited to attend.

Additionally, Executive Director Eric Stevens will introduce the new director of animal welfare. Following that, board president Gerry Porter and KHS managers will give an annual report detailing the progress made during the past year.

An audience question and answer period will be followed by the 2014 Board officer elections.

Kitsap Humane Society is a private, non-profit, charitable organization that has been caring for animals in need since 1908.  KHS admits over 4,200 animals per year and has a 94 percent lives saved rate, one of the highest in the U.S.

KHS’ vision is that every adoptable companion animal has a home.  For more information, visit kitsap-humane.org.