We are pleased to announce our new nonprofit animal rescue and welfare organization, known simply as Haven, and the opening of Haven House, an innovative home-care model designed to support animal sheltering needs on the island.

We know one-on-one human interaction and loving care are best for homeless dogs and cats. We also know there have never been enough foster homes on Vashon to fully provide for island animals in need.

Haven House creates a best-of-both-worlds scenario. Here, animals needing new homes or interim care live with our experienced caretaker in a residential setting, with dogs in one house on the property and cats in a second.

At Haven, there are couches, not kennels. There are private spaces and play areas, and dogs and cats are allowed on the bed to curl up to read, cuddle or take a nap.

Haven’s home-care model embraces sheltering rather than being a shelter. Surrounded by forests and fields, animals are given refuge, love and all they need to thrive.

For years, Haven’s founding team has worked in the Vashon Island and regional community to ensure the well-being of animals and support the people who care for them.

You have known us from the gentle care given in exam rooms at the vet clinic and private home support visits for at-risk animals. From our work leading missing pet recovery efforts and success in reuniting cat and dog companions with their owners. From the compassionate care given to homeless pets and our record of placing animals into true forever homes. We have also provided help with injured and orphaned wildlife or general animal welfare concerns and have often been the voices at the end of the phone line when support of any kind was needed.

We are honored by the friendships built and the partnerships established with islanders who have joined in this work. Now, as Haven, we are here to help, serve, and protect animals in need and their people.

At Haven, we believe rescue is unwavering and uncompromising. Always help the animal in front of you. No question. No hesitation. Taking each as the unique individual they are and doing everything possible to make that individual whole. Healing bodies, hearts and spirits.

Some may have medical issues, which may mean there is not a happily-ever-after for them. But rescue means you always rise to do the right thing. Give the animal everything they need for as long as they need it, making sure that, above all, they know they are safe and know love. These are our guiding principles. Our True North.

We also believe you always try to help the people who need assistance. This doesn’t mean all problems can be solved. But when someone reaches out, we do everything possible to support them, even though it may be complex or uncomfortable. When a community member needs to rehome a pet, Haven steps up to help, using a time-tested evaluation and adoption process to ensure solid placement.

As a no-kill, socially conscious organization, euthanasia is only considered when recommended by a veterinarian if no treatment is available or by a professional behaviorist if treatment is determined to have been unsuccessful or not possible and there is a public safety risk. In rare cases where animals may not be adoptable, we surround them with love and a fear-free transition over the rainbow bridge.

Our Haven Cares program provides pet guardians in need with food and support for dogs and cats, including interim sheltering care when owners have temporary medical or housing issues. We also provide free vaccinations, microchipping and spay or neuter services for community members with financial hardship, offering vet transportation if needed, and financial assistance for veterinary care on a case-by-case basis.

Because lost and found pet support is more than a flyer or social media post, Haven uses expertise gained from decades of search and recovery efforts to bring lost animals home. We also engage our rapid response team anytime an animal is in harm’s way — be it stuck up a tree, in a well, over a slope, or in the road dodging traffic.

We do all this and more, though our support may often be as simple as being there to listen and let a community member know they are not alone.

Haven was intentionally built on a foundation of strong ethics. As a nonprofit, we recognize the trust put in us and honor the duty of care and responsibility we are bound to uphold. We are fiercely dedicated to serving the Vashon community, and with the launch of Haven, we look forward to continuing to provide comprehensive support for animals and building on the relationships that have long been at the heart of our work. Just as we have always done and always will do.

Have questions? Email us at info@havenrescue.org For more information, visit www.havenrescue.org.

Amy Carey, Janet Evans, Kay Farris, Ann Graves and Lisa Peyer are the founders of Haven.