West Columbia Gorge Humane Society

West Columbia Gorge Humane Society (WCGHS) is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, animal shelter located in Washougal, Washington. 

For the last 31 years, WCGHS has been dedicated to rescuing animals, preparing them for adoption, and finding them loving homes. Though this work is rewarding, it comes with significant costs. Our most considerable operating expense is animal care, which includes veterinary services. A decade ago, we brought our medical program in-house, saving us both time and money. Three years ago, we opened a surgery clinic inside Columbia River Veterinary Specialists (CRVS), which was a game-changer for our operations and our budget.

Through our surgery clinic, we offer high-quality, low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for every animal in our care and the care of our rescue partners.

This vital procedure is essential to our mission of saving lives. By spaying and neutering animals, we help control the pet population, minimize unwanted litters, and reduce the number of pets entering shelters.  Running our clinic also helps make pet adoption more affordable, as we can keep our costs down and pass on the savings to adopters.  This is a good thing, especially at a time when sixty-four percent of Americans report that the cost of veterinary care affects their decision to adopt a pet, with spay/neuter procedures often costing between $200 and $1,000 at private veterinary clinics.

Your support has helped us save more lives every year

When we opened our clinic in CRVS in 2022, we spayed/neutered 747 animals. 

In 2023, we spayed/neutered 1,216 animals.

In 2024, we spayed/neutered 1,272 animals. 

In 2025, we are continuing to do this great work to serve our community.

All funds donated to our GiveMore24 campaign will go toward continuing to provide these much-needed, lifesaving services.

Thank you for supporting our mission to save lives and provide resources to keep pets and their people together. 

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About Us

Established in 1994, our programs and services are carried out by a small staff and over 250 volunteers who are dedicated to the welfare of animals in need from our community and beyond. Thousands of pets and people receive our compassionate care and assistance each year.

Mission

To save the lives of pets and provide resources that keep pets and their people together.

Vision

Our vision is for all pets to live healthy lives, in loving homes.

Values

WCGHS embraces and fosters a culture of kindness, respect, compassion and integrity towards all pets and people.

WCGHS is focused on bettering the lives of both pets and their people in our community.

This is why we are committed to these tenets of socially conscious animal sheltering:

1. Finding placement for every healthy or treatable animal.
2. Ensuring unwanted or homeless pets have a safe place to go for shelter and care.
3. Assessing the medical and behavioral needs of unwanted or homeless animals and ensuring these needs are thoughtfully addressed.
4. Aligning shelter policy with the needs of the community.
5. Alleviating suffering and making conscientious decisions regarding euthanasia based on the health and safety of the animal.
6. Enhancing the human-animal bond through proper matchmaking and post adoption support.