who we are
We are a private, non-profit serving the public by providing care, shelter, and placement into loving homes for neglected and unwanted animals in the greater Spokane area through pet adoptions.

The Mission of the Spokane Humane Society is to enrich the lives of animals and their companions through Support, Education, Advocacy and Love (SEAL).
Our vision is that Spokane would be a humane community in which animals are always treated with compassion and respect. As such, we are committed to never euthanizing animals due to lack of space. Instead we have developed strong partnerships to help us meet the needs of Spokane’s pets and promote a high rate of pet adoption. Because we understand the importance of animals in our lives and the need to reduce the surplus animal population through spay and neuter programs, we reach out to tens of thousands of individuals each year with these goals in mind.

Since 1897, the Spokane Humane Society has acted as a refuge for animals in peril by providing care, shelter, and placement for tens of thousands of lost, neglected and unwanted animals. Throughout the years we have served many functions and now focus on the care and placement of companion animals. For decades, we battled overcrowding and were forced to make life and death decisions based upon available kennel space. By mandate of the Spokane Humane Society’s Board of Director’s in January 2006, SHS stopped euthanizing animals due to lack of space. Since then, we reached our goal of not euthanizing healthy, adoptable and treatable animals. We continue to improve overall animal health and have sustained a live release rate of more than 95 percent since 2008.
Care to do a little more digging on the history of Spokane Humane Society? Well, Nona Hengen wrote the book “In Pursuit of Compassion,” to celebrate our centennial in 1997. Contact us to order a copy.
adoptions
2,278
spays & neuters
2,599
volunteer hours
14,932
save rate
We take extraordinary measures with every animal who enters our care. We can’t save all of them —some are too sick, or at the end of their life — but we are incredibly proud to say we saved 98.5% in 2019.
leadership team
Executive Director
Edward Boks
Finance + HR Manager
Heather Bafus
Grounds + Facilities Manager
Mike McCoy
Director of Marketing + Development
Gail Golden
Development Manager
Jenifer Priest
Marketing + Communication Coordinator
Madison Bortfeld
Office Manager
Audrey Hokanson
Shelter Manager
Sheena Bryant
Chief Veterinarian
Dr. Logan Belleque
Behaviorist
Aimee Poulain
Volunteer + Foster Coordinator
Axton Riker
President
Melissa Williams
Secretary
Judie Wozniak
Vice President
Catherine Reynolds
Board Members
Mark Buening
Susan Nelson
Linda Miller
Shannon Dunckel
Robin Betz
Ben Frier
Ann Sawyer
Maria Walker
Treasurer
Logan Wilson