Most days, each call coming to Haven asking for help is urgent.

A dog or cat suddenly left homeless when their person’s health fails.

A community member who can’t afford a spay or neuter, vaccines or microchipping.

Or someone struggling simply to feed their beloved pet.

In moments like this, Haven’s bold work for the people and pets of Vashon isn’t just a feel-good exercise.

It’s about saving lives.

And showing up for neighbors when they need help. No question. No hesitation.

When Haven launched in 2023 as both an organization and a home-care-based community animal shelter, we also established HAVEN CARES, a boots-on-the-ground program providing wraparound support services for community members with pets in need due to financial hardship or other challenges.

From double-digit years of experience on the front lines of island animal care, sheltering and support, our team knew firsthand how many islanders struggle to access lifesaving vaccinations and microchipping, or to have pets spayed or neutered. And that, in addition to these services being financially out of reach, getting a pet to a clinic or centralized event can be difficult, creating barriers for pet owners with physical or transportation limitations or who can’t take time off work.

In true innovative Haven style, we stepped up to provide free vaccination services to Vashon community members in need of support, through monthly vaccination clinics that offer house calls. We also offer free spay and neuter to community members facing financial barriers, including transportation to and from the clinic as needed.

Now, we’re thrilled to announce the expansion of our Pet Food Bank support with the launch of our full-service Pet Food Pantry at a centralized location in town—look for our signs at the storage units east of the post office on 100 th Ave SW.

Through regular distributions on the third Sunday of each month, community members in need receive a FULL MONTH’S supply of food for each pet, plus treats. Because transportation is a challenge for many islanders, we also offer home delivery, and to meet unexpected emergencies, we maintain a supply of dog and cat food in a bin outside the pantry, accessible 24/7.

Giving out a full month’s supply of pet food does more than feed dogs and cats — it provides stability for their people. Caregivers don’t have to wake each day wondering how to stretch one more scoop, skip their own meals, or make heartbreaking trade-offs at the checkout line. Most importantly, it creates a safety net to keep a beloved animal at home rather than placed up for adoption due to hardship.

It isn’t just about a meal. It’s a bridge that helps families and pets stay together. At Haven, we hold a foundational belief that communities and the people within them are stronger when we collaborate for good. In addition to sharing news about our new Pet Food Pantry, we are also sending up a flare to request a partnership for this vital work.

To help keep the pantry well stocked, we’ve created pathways for islanders to support the Pet Food Bank through one-off or recurring contributions to purchase bags of cat or dog food. We’ve also set up a bin outside the pantry for direct pet food donations.

This is care in action—neighbors helping neighbors, quietly and without judgment.

When we ensure pets are fed and able to stay in their homes, we aren’t just supporting animals; we are strengthening the fabric of Vashon itself.

Haven’s work here reflects the island’s belief in showing up for one another, especially in difficult moments, and the Pet Food Pantry is a tangible way the island’s compassion reaches those in need in ways they need it most. Every day.

Please join this circle by donating to purchase food, contributing supplies directly, or helping spread the word so no one in our community has to choose between feeding a beloved pet and making it through the month.

For more information or to connect with us for food support, please visit havenrescue.org or contact us at (206) 876-9652/info@havenrescue.org

Amy Carey is a co-founder of Haven and wrote this commentary in collaboration with other team members.