AVHS is here to help

We hope that you are abiding by Stay Home, Stay Healthy order that was extended until May 4th. Each day changes as COVID-19 impacts us. Auburn Valley Humane Society is continuing to monitor the current situation as the uncertainty escalates. We have adjusted our business hours from 12 to 4pm for essential services of pet licensing, reclaims for owner pet claims and public drop off of lost animals found in the city limits of Auburn. We have installed an intercom for shelter staff to talk to walk-up customers and patrons.

As of April 2, Governor Inslee extended the state’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order for an additional month. 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 for another month 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.

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.

What would happen to your pets if something happened to you? Having a plan in place can give you peace of mind, and help to ease the transition for your family and pets during a difficult time. Last year Auburn Valley Humane Society took in more than 20 dogs due to the death or disability of their owner. These dogs needed to find new homes, but shelter staff didn’t get the chance to learn from the pet owner about their specific needs.

 AVHS offers a Pets Without Me program to provide pet owners with peace of mind that if something happens to them, their pets will be cared for and loved. It will facilitate the care of the pet and provide a new forever home for pets whose owners are enrolled. Up to 4 animals per household may be enrolled in Pets Without Me. There is no enrollment fee for the Pets Without Me program, however we ask that you consider leaving Auburn Valley Humane Society a bequest in your Will to provide funding for the care of your pets and others like them. For additional information about the Pets Without Me Program, please contact the Special Programs Coordinator at 253-249-7849 or programs@auburnvalleyhs.org.

To enroll in Pets Without Me, please complete the form and return it to AVHS. Additionally, all applicants must present in-person, mail, or email an animal profile for each animal they wish to enroll. These documents will be mailed or emailed to you once the initial request is received. In Auburn Valley Humane Society’s ongoing effort to find the best possible homes for its animals, we ask that you take the time to fill out the appropriate pet specific questionnaires before the process can be completed. Once these documents are received, AVHS will send you an enrollment packet. Your enrollment packet will include: magnet, sticker and wallet card. 

We post updates to our website and Facebook page as the situation changes. Together, we will get through this.

P.S. You may be wondering how you can help right here in our community. Your continued kindness now will provide ongoing care to the animals that need it most. 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.