Limited Services at AVHS

We hope that you are healthy as well as your family continues to remain healthy. You are in our thoughts each day as COVID-19 impacts us. Auburn Valley Humane Society has been monitoring the current situation as the uncertainty escalates. We have taken measures to keep our staff, volunteers, and community members safe. We have limited the number of people in the lobby at the animal shelter, allowing them to make appointments during shelter business hours. We have installed an intercom for shelter staff to talk to walk-up customers and patrons. We have limited our capacity for services to the public until a future date. A week ago, we made a significant decision to close the Thrift Store.

Unfortunately, these actions have not been enough.

As of March 23 at 5 pm, Governor Inslee announced the statewide Stay At Home order. This proclamation Stay Home, Stay Healthy, applies statewide. The order lasts for two weeks, and maybe extended AVHS is following the guidelines provided by the King County health officer orders and the Governor's order.

Fundamental change for state residents is that it requires every Washingtonian to stay home unless they need to pursue an essential activity as grocery shopping, doctor's appointments, and gas but also to limit those activities. All businesses are closed, except essential ones.

Auburn Valley Humane Society is contracted with the City of Auburn to provide the essential services of animal sheltering and reunite with owners for the lost animals found within the city limits as well as licensing for city residents. Many non-essential staff will be assigned to work from home to comply with the new order and continue our operation.

The Governor's order has dramatically affected the Auburn Valley Humane Society animal shelter. The shelter reduced hours of operation to 12 to 4 pm daily, effective March 25. Minimal staff will be at the shelter providing essential services of caring for stray and homeless animals and pet licensing. AVHS recommends pet licensing online or calling our other licensing partners before venturing to license your pet. By calling 253-249-7849 during limited business hours, staff will assist residents with licensing their pets over the phone. The remaining hourly staff have a reduction of hours, cutting their hours by 75%.

One hundred thirty animals found furrever homes in March making, 9,975 adoptions since we opened (just shy of 10,000). The remaining shelter animals are being matched to existing foster families. We have a vast network and family of fosters who will nurture the animals in their homes, caring, feeding, and socializing the animals until the COVID-19 situation is resolved. We have recruited many new fosters if we receive additional pets who need a foster home. If you wish to help foster, please visit our website at www.auburnvalleyhs.org/fostering. Our foster staff reaches out to new foster to determine their pet profiles.

The Auburn Valley Humane Society, following the Governor's orders, has banned all gatherings for social, spiritual, and recreational purposes. Volunteer orientation and trainings will be postponed as well as other adoption or outreach events. All three adoption centers, Federal Way PetSmart, Petco, and Catffeinated Café have closed their facilities for adoptions and housing of animals.

In times of uncertainty, family is what matters most. We encourage residents to practice SOCIAL DISTANCING and STAY HOME to fight the pandemic. To slow the spread of COVID-19, we must work together. Limit non-essential contact with others. Limit trips for groceries, gas, and essentials. Stay at least 6 feet away from others at all times.

Our AVHS staff will be able to provide resources to care for your pet and help those who need to owner surrender their animals or rehome their pet.

While individuals in our community are ill or self-isolating, AVHS is here to help. Auburn Valley Humane will remain with limited hours to serve the public, but we are prepared to connect you with the resources you need until that time. Please contact us at info@auburnvalleyhs.org or by calling (253) 249-7849.

AVHS has other special programs to help individuals who become ill and are unable to care for their pets with our Pets in Crisis program. To learn the details of this program, contact programs@auburnvalleyhs.org. The Public Veterinary Medical Fund is also a resource that allows for non-routine medical emergencies for pets. Visit our website, www.auburnvalleyhs.org, or Facebook page.

To continue our operation, some AVHS staff are working remotely. There will be a delay in our services, as we find our new normal. We appreciate your patience during this time! We post updates to our website and Facebook page as the situation changes. Together, we will get through this.

P.S. As someone who cares deeply about animals your support is needed more than ever during these challenging times. Together, we can help the animals in our community who are impacted by COVID-19. Visit our website to give so that we can continue to ensure they have ongoing food, shelter, and care. With your help, animals won’t be forgotten.