PORT ANGELES, Wash. — Jason Stipp is in the business of adopting out dogs, he's just not used to doing it like this.
Stipp is in the midst of a sort of "everything must go" sale at the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society, ahead of the closure of its Port Angeles facility.
"It's a tough situation. It's a national crisis across the country," said Stipp, the society's executive director.
The human society cited "unsustainably high" operating costs due to an unprecedented number of animal surrenders as a reason for the closure, saying their resources have been significantly impacted. The human society does not euthanize animals for space. Dogs who are surrendered to their care also often need medical attention or behavioral training before they're ready to be adopted, increasing the cost burden on the facility, the release reads.
There are currently more than 55 dogs housed in the facility that's built for just 40. The facility has been caring for more dogs than it can handle since the end of the pandemic when people started surrendering pets they no longer wanted.
"Shelters across the country are overloaded," said Stipp. "We really think it's a post-pandemic hangover kind of thing."
More dogs combined with rising costs for care have the humane society losing about $40,000 every month.
The human society's facility in Sequim will remain open. The plan is to sell the Port Angeles property where the dog rescue sits and use the money to renovate and expand the humane society's cat shelter in neighboring Sequim. That will put all of the animals in one central location — cutting expenses and allowing the shelter to accept dogs once again.
"It's about maximizing our donors' dollars," said Stipp. "We feel it's in our best interest to not have those redundant expenditures. That will allow our donors' money to go a little bit further. It's not going as far as it used to."
But the new facility likely won't be complete for two years. For now, the focus is finding homes for all of the dogs in the humane society's care as soon as possible.
Their goal is to have all dogs adopted or transferred to other high-save rescue organizations by the end of August 2024.
The Clallam County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) posted on Facebook saying the facility closure means they no longer have anywhere to take impounded dogs.
"This is a very unfortunate event that will impact our entire county, and we need to work together to address this issue," CCSO said.
The humane society posted on Facebook that they currently have around 60 adoptable dogs on campus that are ready to be fostered or find their forever homes. Anyone interested in adopting or fostering a dog can visit OPHS' website.