Humane Society raises $415,000 at auction

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington raised $415,000 at its Saturday night auction in Vancouver.

The money goes to help run the shelter on 192nd Avenue in east Vancouver.

About half the money to operate the shelter comes from donations, said Stacey Waddell, interim executive director of the society and its shelter. The rest of the $2.2 million budget comes from fees for service.

“I think we are very, very fortunate as a community to have so many generous people who have such compassion not only for the animals, but for the people who love animals … and the strays and homeless,” Waddell said.

Waddell said 530 people attended the $100-a-person fundraiser at the Vancouver Washington Hilton. She said an anonymous donor pledged $40,000 if the amount could be matched at the event. It was.

Asked who were the big donors, Waddell said, “Our (17) board members are very, very generous.”

“We take in over 10,000 animals a year,” Waddell said. She added that the

shelter currently has about 110 dogs and 300 cats.

Waddell said the shelter continues to ask people to call in before bringing in cats and kittens.

The shelter has 55 employees and 400 volunteers.

The shelter has been without a permanent executive director since last November.

Waddell said she believes the board will search for a permanent director this autumn, and that she is a candidate for the job.