Humane Society moves to new home in Pullman

Three dogs romp and frolic through the gravel of their new pen at the Whitman County Humane Society’s new shelter. Each of the shelter’s four pens has a heated indoor pen for the dogs to relax and sleep during the cold Palouse winter.

You could almost say it was raining cats and dogs in Pullman, Jan. 16. Twenty-five animals (20 cats and five dogs) were relocated to the new Whitman County Humane Society on the Old Moscow road.

Almost 10 years in the making, the new shelter boasts heated indoor facilities for both cats and dogs. Cats had previously been kept in a bus.

“It’s a huge relief to get all the animals moved and finally start to get settled in. It’s a vast improvement over the old building,” said Derek Keno, director of shelter operations.

Volunteers from the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine and shelter staff helped put the last pieces in place for the shelter. The shelter was 10 years in the design and making, according to shelter director Derek Keno.

The cities of Pullman, Albion, Garfield and Palouse all have contracts for strays with the Humane Society.

Volunteers from the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine, shelter staff and a local fraternity came out Saturday to help move animals, supplies and set up pens.

Dogs will now be housed in four large pods, each with an indoor and outdoor space. The indoor pens are heated, with cushions and food for the dogs. The outdoor yard provides room to run.

“It’s going to be more difficult with the [new shelter]. If we have a dog that is aggressive, we are going to have to isolate it,” Keno said.

The old shelter had 13 kennels where dogs were separately housed.

On moving day, Jan. 16, three adult dogs were spiritedly running in and out of their new pen. A fight broke out, but it was quickly stopped by a volunteer.

One of those dogs, three-year-old Bear, a rottweiler mix, has been in custody since Oct. 18.

It costs a flat rate of $80 and change to adopt an adult dog, Keno said. The canine will have already been neutered and have all shots up-to-date. One free vet followup check is included.

Cats are adopted at a flat rate of $70. They are also neutered, have have up-to-date shots and come with a free vet check-up.

Puppies and kittens are more expensive, Keno said.