Our Mission
Helping vulnerable animals and supporting pets and their families in our community.
Our Purpose
It is WAAG's purpose to serve Wahkiakum County by preventing animal suffering and strengthening community well-being through spay, neuter, and medical assistance; trap-neuter-return for community cats; pet food support through local pantries; and the support and adoption of abandoned and stray animals.
Wahkiakum Animal Advocates Group
2025 Annual Report
A year of growth, partnership, and compassion for Wahkiakum County animals
65
Animals Fostered
42
Cats TNR'd
43
Financial Aid Cases
2,100+lbs
Food Distributed
360+
Community Calls
A Message From Our President
Letter From the President
Dear Friends, Volunteers, and Supporters,
When I look back at everything our community accomplished together in 2025, I am genuinely moved. What started as a small group of neighbors who cared deeply about the animals in Wahkiakum County has grown into something remarkable - a network of dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and committed partners who show up, again and again, for animals who have no one else.
This year presented unexpected challenges. Our partnership with the Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office deepened significantly, bringing some of our most complex cases to date. During September and October, we took in 19 animals across three animal abuse cases. At the time, our foster homes were already at capacity, so several board members stepped in to house these animals themselves. This level of commitment reflects the dedication and compassion of our volunteers.
We broke even in 2025 - and that is something to be proud of. Thanks entirely to the extraordinary generosity of our donors, we raised more money in 2025 than in any previous year in our history. It represents the trust you have placed in us to steward your contributions well. We are hoping to carry that momentum into 2026 with several fundraisers in the works.
I also want to acknowledge the transitions our board navigated this year. Change is never easy, and I am grateful for the steady leadership of our remaining directors and the grace with which everyone handled the adjustments. I want to personally thank the board of directors for nominating me as president this year and trusting me with this organization - I hope to make them proud.
To our volunteers - every trap set, every foster home opened, every bag of food carried, every phone call answered - thank you. You are WAAG.
With deep gratitude and excitement for the year ahead,
Amy Coleman
President & Secretary
Jenny and Amy at the kitten adoption event in December.
Stories From the Field
Animals in Our Care
Every animal has a story. Here are two that stayed with us this year.
Foster & Adoption · May 2025
Daisy
From survival mode to adventure dog
When Daisy was dumped off Beaver Creek Road, fear took over completely. For a full month, she evaded every person who tried to help her - running, hiding, surviving on instinct alone. Despite the best efforts of our volunteers, she simply could not be reached.
That's when we called in D.D. Ponder of Wiggle Butts Recovery, a professional dog trapper from Olympia who specializes in exactly this kind of case. With patience and skill, D.D. was able to trap Daisy safely - and the moment she was caught, a new chapter began.
Daisy went to one of our most experienced foster families, and there she began to bloom. The terrified dog who had spent a month alone in the woods slowly discovered that people could be trusted - that a warm home, a gentle hand, and consistency were things she could lean into.
She was adopted by a young man from Portland, and today Daisy is a different dog entirely. She goes on adventures, runs with dog friends, and lives the full life she always deserved.
Daisy pictured with her foster dad, Joseph Semro, on the day she was brought in safe.
Community Outreach
Serving as the County's First Call
With no local animal control or shelter, WAAG fills a critical gap
In 2025, WAAG received over 360 calls from the community - a 50% increase from 2024. The volume makes clear that WAAG has become the primary point of contact for animal-related issues across Wahkiakum County. The most common reasons people reached out were for financial assistance, lost and found animals, owner surrender requests, and TNR services.
Nearly 1 in 5 calls required referral to outside agencies - including the Sheriff's Office, veterinarians, or wildlife services - reflecting both the breadth of need and the limitations of what a volunteer-run organization can take on directly.
360+ calls received
+50% vs 2024
~1 in 5 referred out
Top Reasons for Contact
Financial Assistance
Lost & Found Animals
Owner Surrender Requests
TNR Services
Abuse / Neglect Reports
Contact via phone, text, email, Facebook & in-person
Why This Matters
Wahkiakum County has no local animal control, no public animal shelter, and extremely limited veterinary access. WAAG volunteers answer every call - often after hours, on weekends, and in emergencies. Demand for animal welfare services is increasing rapidly, and WAAG is filling critical gaps that no other organization is positioned to fill in this county.
Program Highlights
Our Work in 2025
Four programs. One mission.
65
Animals Fostered
42
Cats TNR'd
2,100+ lbs
Food Distributed
43
Financial Aid Cases
Foster, Adopt & Rehome
Foster & Adoption Program
Finding temporary homes and permanent families for animals in need
In 2025, WAAG placed 65 animals into foster care - a 48% increase over the prior year's 44 placements. Dogs, cats, kittens, a rabbit, and even a pig found safety and care through our network of dedicated foster families across Wahkiakum County.
Animals spend an average of 61 days in foster care with WAAG - a reflection of the individualized attention each animal receives and the genuine matching process we undertake to find the right home. For comparison, animals spend an average of just 13 days at the Humane Society of Southwest Washington - a difference that illustrates the significant strain long-term fostering places on our volunteers and resources.
In September, WAAG secured a new partnership with the Humane Society of Southwest Washington to provide affordable medical care for animals in our care and to facilitate program transfers. We are incredibly grateful for this partnership - it allows us to get animals the medical attention they need quickly, and at substantially lower costs than we would otherwise face. We are also on the waitlist for transfer services with the Oregon Humane Society.
65 animals in care
45 adopted
+48% vs 2024
Avg. 61 days in care
How Animals Came Into Our Care
| Situation | Animals | % |
|---|---|---|
| Sheriff Confiscate | 17 | 26% |
| Feral Kitten | 15 | 23% |
| Abandoned | 14 | 22% |
| Facilitated Rehome | 8 | 12% |
| Sheriff Hold | 6 | 9% |
| Surrendered - Behavior | 4 | 6% |
| Surrendered - Medical | 3 | 5% |
Animals Adopted in 2025
LucaSnookieSunnyFrecklesDaisyMr. BubblesMr. ButtercupBlossomPretty OneIchiTootsOrionLyraVegaAstraSir RobinSquirrelPhineasFerbFrankensteinBatwomanTiny TimWednesdayCarmelChaiMagicHarrySallyDiorChanelNyxMacBelphieHopeChanceSpellaPeteyRangerScrappyBibiElbeeMindyBellaPrinceKatyJonesyReillyRykerBram
Community Partnership Spotlight
Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office
Our partnership with the Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office has become one of WAAG's most impactful - and demanding - relationships. In 2025, WAAG received 16 calls for direct assistance from the Sheriff's Office (a 33% increase from 2024) and redirected 67 additional calls to them for lost/found animals and neglect reports. WAAG acquired 28 animals through the Sheriff's Office this year, with only 6 requiring temporary holds - the rest needed full long-term foster placement and adoption services. That represents a 367% increase from 2024.
Using an estimated average foster care cost of ~$494 per animal, the approximate cost of Sheriff-related animal care in 2025 was about $14,000 - and likely higher, as the majority were dogs requiring more expensive care. For context, WAAG receives only $2,000 in funding from Wahkiakum County - leaving the significant remainder covered entirely by donor generosity.
Special thanks to Deputy Getman, Deputy Hornback and Deputy Gartski for their ongoing collaboration.
16
Calls from Sheriff
28
Animals Acquired
67
Calls Redirected to Sheriff
+367%
Increase from 2024
~$14K
Est. Care Cost
$2K
County Funding Received
Sheriff's Office Partnership · October 2025
Belphie
From an abandoned kitchen to a life well-lived
In October, WAAG partnered with the Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office to rescue a pig from a dilapidated, abandoned kitchen. Getting Belphie into the trailer took some creative negotiating - she finally agreed after being offered a PB&J sandwich and a flat Coca-Cola.
Once safe, Belphie's transformation was immediate and heartwarming. She took right away to two new piggie friends, and the three of them snuggle together every night. She now enjoys a steady diet of healthy fruits and vegetables, has a proper shelter, and lives in an environment that is exactly what a pig needs and deserves.
Belphie is one of the clearest examples of what this partnership with the Sheriff's Office makes possible - animals in crisis situations get a second chance because we are ready and able to respond.
Belphie's journey: rescued from an abandoned kitchen, guided to safety, and settling into her new home with room to roam.
Trap-Neuter-Return
TNR Program
Humanely managing community cat populations across Wahkiakum County
WAAG's TNR program fielded 30+ requests in 2025 and trapped 42 cats for spay/neuter/return through our partner clinics - the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon (FCCO) in Portland and the Humane Society of Southwest Washington. Operations covered communities across the county including Puget Island, Skamokawa, Rosburg, and Cathlamet.
This year's number dropped from 2024 as FCCO is experiencing significant strain as an overburdened nonprofit, with surgery availability drastically limited. We continue to pursue additional clinic partnerships to meet demand.
We are actively working to manage several colonies before they grow out of control - including multiple colonies on Puget Island, one in the West End, and another at the Elochoman Marina. Many of the feral kittens we have successfully socialized into tame house cats have come from these very colonies, which puts a significant strain on our foster resources.
Prevention Is the Goal
As much as we love every kitten that comes through our doors, our preference is always to spay and neuter community cats before kittens are born - not after. The Pacific Northwest is facing a real overpopulation crisis, and some cats, like black cats and tabbies, are genuinely difficult to place. Adopters rarely make the drive out to Wahkiakum County for a kitten they can find at a shelter closer to home. Trap-Neuter-Return is a far more sustainable solution for everyone involved. If you know of a feral or outdoor cat that needs to be fixed, please reach out to us before the next litter arrives.
TNR Program · October 2025
Carmel & Magic
From a feral colony to weekend adventures in Bend
Carmel and Magic came from one of the feral colonies WAAG monitors. Most cats trapped through our TNR program are returned to their outdoor home after being spayed or neutered - but when we have foster availability and kittens young enough to socialize, we take the chance to give them a different life entirely.
That's exactly what happened with Carmel and Magic. Instead of returning them to the cold outdoors, they went into foster care and were gradually transformed into confident, loving house cats. They were adopted together and now live in Portland - where they go on weekend adventures to Bend in their bubble backpack every weekend.
Their story is a reminder that TNR is not just about managing populations. Sometimes it opens a door to something more.
Carmel and Magic, settling into their new life after coming in from the cold.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid Program
Helping Wahkiakum County pet owners afford essential veterinary care
WAAG's Financial Aid Program processed 43 applications in 2025, helping over 40 pets receive care and approving over $4,800 in assistance for spay/neuter procedures and emergency medical care. Cases included everything from routine spay/neuter to urgent surgeries, life-saving medication and compassionate end-of-life care. Our double voucher was popular in the spring, and we are looking to increase the amount we can provide in 2026, as we understand costs are rising with inflation and vet care.
43 applications
40+ pets helped
36 spay/neuter
22 medical
$4,800+ approved
Partner Veterinary Clinics
Country Pet Vet
Columbia Vet Hospital (Astoria)
Animal Health Services
Humane Society of Southwest Washington
Spotlight: Wahkiakum's First Mobile Vet Clinic · April 2025
In 2025, WAAG partnered with Serenity Veterinary Care out of La Center to bring Wahkiakum County its first ever mobile vet clinic. Over 20 pets received low-cost wellness exams, vaccinations, and routine care - right here in the county. We are hoping to expand low-cost care for Wahkiakum County in 2026 through the Humane Society of Southwest Washington, so stay tuned!
Financial Aid Program · February 2025
Rollo
A full recovery, made possible by community support
When Rollo's owner called WAAG, the news was worrying. The dog was lethargic, refusing to eat, and throwing up - and his owner had no way to cover the cost of emergency veterinary care. Without intervention, Rollo's condition would only get worse.
WAAG's Financial Aid Program stepped in. With funding approved quickly, Rollo was seen by a vet and diagnosed with salmon poisoning - a serious but treatable condition common in the Pacific Northwest, caused by eating raw or undercooked salmon infected with a parasitic fluke. Caught in time, it is survivable. Left untreated, it is often fatal.
Rollo made a full recovery. He went home to his family healthy, tail wagging - because his owner knew to call, and because our donors made it possible to say yes.
Stories like Rollo's are why the Financial Aid Program exists. Not every family has access to emergency funds, but every pet deserves a fighting chance.
Rollo, happy and healthy after his recovery - clearly back to his puddle-splashing self.
Pet Food Pantry
Pet Food Pantry
Keeping pets fed so families stay together
Our Pet Food Pantry distributed 2,100+ lbs of pet food to our three local food pantries - a 7% increase from 2024. Additionally, we directly provided food to 20+ families who reached out to us directly. For many families, this program is the difference between keeping a beloved pet and giving them up.
We also provide other supplies to families in need - including leashes, bowls, crates, and more. If you or someone you know needs support caring for a pet, please reach out.
2,100+ lbs pet food
20+ families directly served
Three pet food pantries
Food Pantries We Supply
|
Wahkiakum Food Pantry
42 Elochoman Valley Road
Cathlamet, WA Open Tuesdays 2pm - 4pm 360-431-4720 |
St. Catherine Catholic Church / St. Vincent de Paul
400 Columbia Street
Cathlamet, WA Open 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 9am - 12pm 360-957-5676 |
West End Food Pantry
30 Rosburg School Road
Rosburg, WA Open Thursdays 1pm - 5pm 360-465-2344 |
More information on food assistance in Wahkiakum County can be found at co.wahkiakum.wa.us/532/Food-Assistance
A Special Thank You
While we didn't run any food drives in 2025, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Sue Zabel at the Jabber Shack for running the Cup of Sunshine fundraiser in the spring. We also deeply appreciate that the Jabber Shack serves as a brick-and-mortar donation location for WAAG - community members can drop off donations during business hours. Sue, your ongoing support of WAAG and our community’s pets means the world to us.
Financial Overview
2025 Finances
A year of extraordinary growth
Total Income
$44,320
Total Expenses
$43,930
Net Surplus
$390
Income vs. Expenses
Total Income$44,320
$44,320
Total Expenses$43,930
$43,930
Where Our Income Comes From
Individual Donations$42,320 · 95.5%
95.5%
Wahkiakum County$2,000 · 4.4%
4.4%
Where Your Dollars Go
Foster, Adopt & Rehome
73.1%
Administration
7.6%
Companion Animal Spay & Neuter
7.3%
TNR Program
4.6%
Community Medical Assistance
4.4%
Pet Food Pantry
3.0%
Our spending was significant in 2025 because of the sheer number of animals we took into our care. We made this decision based on the large donations we received throughout the year, combined with the high volume of animals coming in through the Sheriff's Office. However, we intend to be much more strict with our budget in 2026 - we cannot always rely on large special donations, and sustainable stewardship of our resources is essential to serving this community long-term.
With Gratitude
Our 2025 Donors
Every gift - of any size - makes this work possible. Thank you.
Guardian $1,000+
Peter R.
Anonymous
Joyce O.
Rosemary B.
Carla S.
David K.
Richard C.
In memory of Ruger · Carla Schoppelrey
Champion $200–$999
Nancy N.
Jim and Dawn N.
Jennifer T.
Robert C.
Brett & Sharon D.
Stacey W.
Mary S.
Julie J.
John G.
Kellie S.
Lorrie F.
Red Canoe
Supporter $100–$199
Teresa
Sandi B.
Amanda H.
Danielle B.
Lindsay J.
Norris H.
Dianna M.
Dorothy M.
E.J. W.
Greg P.
Herman M.
Jamie S.
Jose M.
Kim & Jeff T.
Kristin L. & Michael D.
Robert & Diane S.
Robin D.
Lisa C.
Donna B.
Friend Up to $99
Audrey P.
Ninni V.
Linda L.
Jennifer K.
Dawn R.
Frans E.
Terry and Janet L.
Jabber Shack
Missy C.
Cherise M.
Susan M.
Susan S.
Samantha J.
Angelina C.
Heidi B.
Joel R.
Wren H.
Lou Anne H.
Sarah R.
Amanda J.
Heather R.
Linda F.
Michele W.
Betty M.
Kathy P.
Kendrick H.
Kathy B.
Cate A.
April H.
Tiffany S. T.
Shelley Hedge's Birthday Wish · Peter & Elizabeth's First Friday Events · Amy's Birthday Fundraiser
A note on our donor list: We have done our best to accurately list all 2025 donors. If your name was omitted or misspelled, please accept our sincere apologies. Anonymous donors are listed as Anonymous per their request. Additionally, if you donated or raised money for WAAG through Facebook, please know that we do not receive donor names through that platform - but we are deeply grateful for every contribution and every fundraiser run on our behalf.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Serving the animals and community of Wahkiakum County
| Name | Position | Program Area | Status | Serving Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wendy Edwards | President | - | Resigned | 2019 |
| Amy Coleman | President & Secretary | Foster, Adopt & Rehome | Active | 2024 |
| Jenny Martin | Vice President | TNR | Active | 2019 |
| Nikkie Alt | Treasurer | - | Active | 2025 |
| Elizabeth Rose | Director At Large | Volunteers | Active | 2024 |
| Lynette Wright | Director At Large | - | Resigned | 2025 |
| Ben Ahlschwede | Director At Large | Pet Food Pantry | Active | 2025 |
| Amanda Heston | Director At Large | Financial Aid | Active | 2025 |
| Cate Antisdel | Director At Large | Foster Medical | Active | 2025 |
A Note of Gratitude: Wendy Edwards
WAAG would not exist without Wendy Edwards. She has been with this organization since its inception in 2019, and her name is synonymous with WAAG in this community. In 2025, Wendy had to step down from the board due to health concerns - a transition that was felt deeply by all of us. We are so grateful for everything she has given to this organization and to the animals of Wahkiakum County. We hope she is doing well, and we look forward to welcoming her back when the time is right. Thank you, Wendy.
Open Positions - We're Growing
Our People
2025 Volunteers
WAAG is nothing without this incredible community of caring people.
A Note of Gratitude
Rescuing animals is hard work. It is emotionally draining, physically demanding, and sometimes heartbreaking. It means answering calls at odd hours, opening your home to animals who are scared and hurting, sitting with difficult situations that don't always have happy endings, and doing it all again the next day.
To every volunteer who showed up in 2025 - who set a trap in the cold, fostered a litter of kittens, drove an animal to the vet, answered a call they didn't have to answer, or simply offered their time and heart - thank you. There are no words big enough for what you give to this work and to the animals in our community. WAAG exists because of you, and every animal that found safety, care, and a loving home this year found it because you were there.
We appreciate you more than we can ever put into words.
Christine A.
Donna B.
Sean B.
Nicci B.
Hannah B.
Megan B.
Ashley B.
Kathy B.
Ren B.
Holly C.
Carol C.
Kim C.
Abby D.
Calla E.
Macie E.
Teri E.
Lorrie F.
Cathy G.
Kelli H.
Summer H.
Brian H.
Jamey H.
Heidi H.
Debbie J.
Karl J.
Penny J.
Jourdan J.
Beth K.
Linda K.
Paige L.
Steven L.
Season L.
Sue L.
Tracey M.
Kinsey M.
Tom M.
Virginia M.
Tina M.
Michaela N.
Patrick O.
Lola P.
Garrett R.
Eric R.
Mikayla R.
Peter R.
Joe S.
Natalie S.
Nikki S.
Josh S.
Karrin S.
Charlotte T.
Nolan V.
Brenda W.
Lynette W.
Sue Z.
2026 & Beyond
Looking Ahead
Building on a strong foundation
An Honest Assessment
2025's pace of growth was not sustainable. Call volume rose sharply, foster and adoption cases increased significantly, and emergency intakes drove program costs far beyond budget - placing heavy strain and burnout on our volunteers, foster homes, and funding. While we accomplished a great deal and expanded our reach, we still aren't able to meet the full needs of the community. A shortage of foster homes, limited funding and limited regional transfer opportunities have stretched us beyond what we can support with our current capacity.
To continue serving the community responsibly, WAAG will shift toward prevention-focused programs - spay and neuter financial aid, trap-neuter-return of community cats, and community education. While we will still intake pets for foster and adoption, our goal is to reduce long-term costs, keep pets with their families whenever possible, and operate within a realistic, sustainable capacity.
Prevention-First Programs
WAAG will prioritize spay/neuter financial aid, TNR, and community education in 2026. Prevention reduces long-term animal control costs, keeps pets with their families, and produces more sustainable outcomes than emergency intake alone.
Fill Open Volunteer Positions
We are actively seeking a Secretary and Fundraising Coordinator. Strong leadership will allow WAAG to grow sustainably - and prevent burnout among the dedicated volunteers who carry our programs forward.
Expand Regional Partnerships
Our new relationship with the Humane Society of Southwest Washington allows us to have access to low cost medical care and the ability to transfer animals into their care. We are hoping to establish a similar partnership with the Oregon Humane Society in 2026.
Proposed 2026 Events
Spring 2026
Pet Food Drive
A community-wide pet food donation drive to restock our pantry and support local families in need. Drop-off locations TBD - check our social media for details.
May 2026
Dinner & Auction
An evening fundraiser featuring dinner and a live auction to benefit WAAG's programs. A wonderful opportunity to celebrate our community and support the animals we serve. Details coming soon - follow us on social media.
Fall 2026
Oktoberfest Fundraiser
A fall festival-themed fundraiser to close out the year in style. More details to be announced - stay tuned to our social media for dates, location, and how to get involved.
All events are proposed and subject to change. Check our social media and website at wahkiakumanimals.org for the latest details.
Get Involved
How You Can Support Us
Every donation and every volunteer hour makes a direct difference for the animals and families of Wahkiakum County. Here is how you can help:
Wahkiakum Animal Advocates Group
Helping vulnerable animals and supporting pets and their families in our community.