Welcome to The Alternative Humane Society!
The Alternative Humane Society is an all-volunteer, nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Whatcom County, WA. AHS has been helping animals and educating the public since 1977.
We have no shelter, office, or paid staff. Our programs include Canine Foster & Adoption, Spay & Neuter Assistance, and Community Cats Information and Referral.
100% of the money we raise goes toward our programs:
- Spay/Neuter Assistance: AHS will help pay to spay or neuter dog(s) and cat(s). We issue assistance vouchers to qualifying individuals based on state low-income guidelines. These vouchers are accepted at all Whatcom County vets and also at WeSNIP and NOAH. (Vouchers are only available to residents of Whatcom and Skagit Counties and are intended to assist pets and pet guardians in the Bellingham area. Exceptions can sometimes be made for dogs being adopted to homes outside this area.)
- Education: AHS Education Programs are designed to encourage and enable responsible pet guardianship. Too many animals end up homeless because their guardians do not understand how to care for their pets.
- Canine Foster/Adoption Program: AHS recruits and trains volunteers to work as volunteer foster homes and case managers to care for and find good homes for dogs in our care. AHS pays all necessary expenses for our foster animals.
- Community Cats Programs: Because the majority of the calls AHS receives about cats concern stray and/or feral cats, AHS has refocused our volunteer energy and resources into the research and development of Community Cat Programs that will allow us to do more for ALL cats. We will continue to support other local cat foster/adoption programs in every way we can.
The Alternative Humane Society of Whatcom County - Advocate for Animals Since 1977!
Mission Statement
The Alternative Humane Society of Whatcom County is an all-volunteer, non-profit animal welfare organization dedicated to improving the lives of dogs and cats and helping them find and stay in permanent loving homes.
Our goals are:
- To make Whatcom County a community where no healthy animals are euthanized
- To prevent unwanted dog and cat births through spay and neuter assistance
- To cultivate respect and awareness for the needs of animals through education
- To advocate for the humane treatment of dogs and cats in all areas of life
For more information please see our links:
Adopt | Help Us | Contact | News/Events | Resources
AHS News:
We Have An Urgent Need for Foster Homes, Can You Help?
We are looking for all types of foster homes and are in desperate need of your help! Due to a unique set of circumstances we have more dogs than foster homes and puppies are on the way too! Don’t disqualify yourself because you are afraid you might not fit into our typical “foster home” profile. Just as no two dogs are the same neither are the homes that foster them. Get in touch with us and let us work with you to see if we have that special dog that needs some short term loving from you!
Please fill out our Foster Home Application and let’s see if you are the help we need!
Paws and Claws Expo
Our Paws and Claws Expo is quickly approaching and we are in full planning and management mode! Paws and Claws is our once a year outdoor pet themed fundraiser extravaganza featuring vendors, demonstrations, information, food and fun. We are currently seeking Sponsors, Vendors and Volunteers.
