About Us

Our History Into Today:

The Whitman County Humane Society (WCHS) was established following concerns over budget cuts affecting the Pullman Animal Shelter. Founded on February 16, 2000, by community leaders including Ray and Cathy Schulhauser, WCHS initially managed the city's shelter. Recognizing the need for humane animal care, WCHS adopted a no-kill policy in July 2000, preventing the euthanasia of adoptable animals due to space constraints.

In April 2010, WCHS moved operations to AnimalHaven, a modern facility made possible by significant donations. AnimalHaven features an octagonal dog facility and the Gardner House, named in honor of Inge Gardner, providing housing for cats and administrative offices. The Lauren McCluskey Cat Wing, added later through community support, expanded the facility's capacity for cat housing and storage. This wing commemorates Lauren McCluskey's dedication to animal welfare, as she volunteered at WCHS and had a profound love for animals.

Today, the Whitman County Humane Society stands as a private, nonprofit organization supported primarily through donations, grants, and community support. While we work closely with local communities, we are not a government agency. WCHS partners with animal control agencies and several local municipalities through service agreements to help provide care for stray animals and support animal welfare efforts across Whitman County.

Because WCHS is an independent nonprofit with limited space and resources, the shelter operates as a limited-admission facility. Animals whose owners can no longer care for them may be accepted on a space-available basis, and each situation is evaluated individually to ensure animals entering the shelter can be safely and responsibly cared for. The shelter focuses on providing housing, medical care, and support for animals until they are able to be adopted into new homes.

In addition to sheltering animals, the Whitman County Humane Society works to support pets and the people who care for them throughout the county. Programs such as our food bank, spay and neuter assistance, Trap-Neuter-Return for community cats, and other community resources help reduce overpopulation and improve the wellbeing of animals both inside and outside the shelter.

For more than two decades, WCHS has continued to grow through the support of the Whitman County community, working to strengthen the human-animal bond while providing care, shelter, and second chances for animals in need. If you’d like to support our efforts and help us continue to grow, please consider donating, volunteering, fostering, and adopting.