A new program at the Humane Society for Southwest Washington will waive fees on all pet adoptions once a month.
The Vancouver nonprofit’s newest adoption event — the Craig Stein Yappy Hour — is funded by a $500,000 gift from local entrepreneur Linn Dee Stein, given in honor of her late husband, who was a devoted animal lover and longtime supporter of the shelter. On every fourth day of the month through 2025, the Humane Society will waive adoption fees for all pets at both its campuses, 1100 N.E. 192nd Ave., in Vancouver, and 909 Columbia Blvd., Longview.
“Craig loved pets. We consider them to be family,” Linn Dee Stein said. “Our pets are our family, and they seem to serve such a role. If you welcome them into a loving home, where they’re considered family, it’s always a win-win. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, this provides you the opportunity to bring a new family member home.”
Craig Stein, former CEO and owner of Craig Stein Beverage, died in April. The Craig Stein Yappy Hour officially launched Tuesday at the Humane Society’s Vancouver and Longview campuses, on what would have been Craig Stein’s 67th birthday.
“Craig made a tremendous impact on our community during his life,” Humane Society for Southwest Washington President Andrea Bruno said in a news release. “We’re so grateful to Linn Dee for her generosity and for trusting us to honor and celebrate Craig’s legacy by helping more pets find loving homes.”
Sam Ellingson, the organization’s associate vice president of communications and marketing, said about 30 pets were adopted Tuesday afternoon. All pets adopted during the event received a Yappy Hour branded gift and a welcome home kit including food, toys and treats.
Depending on the month, the Humane Society usually oversees about 10 to 15 adoptions per day, but Ellingson said he expects that number to increase with the new promotion.
“It’s certainly going to make adoption easier for families. Anything we can do to lower those barriers is a good thing,” Ellingson said.
Adoptable animals can be viewed on the Humane Society’s website at hssw.org/adopt or in person at its Vancouver and Longview campuses.
The nonprofit also offers a Seniors for Seniors program, which waives adoption fees for senior pets age 7 and older, when adopted by a senior community member age 62 and older.
The Humane Society for Southwest Washington has launched several initiatives to make pet ownership more accessible to the community.
This year, it will open a clinic serving low-income pet owners.
The nonprofit has begun remodeling a facility in Hazel Dell’s Holly Park Center. The Community Veterinary Clinic, 10501 N.E. Highway 99, will offer low-cost, subsidized veterinary care for pets of income-qualifying families in Clark County. The nonprofit officially broke ground on the project in late February, and it is expected to open late this summer, Ellingson said.
