We know that sometimes life happens and people find themselves unable to properly care for their pet. Vashon Island Pet Protectors (VIPP) is here to ensure your beloved pet gets the new home they deserve.
Before you make the decision to surrender, we may be able to help you find solutions that will allow you to keep your pet as a member of the family. While we can't guarantee miracles, we do have extensive experience dealing with a multitude of issues and can certainly offer suggestions and alternatives to giving up your pet. If keeping your pet is simply not an option, VIPP will either take the pet or assist in finding it a new, loving home.
VIPP does take in cats and dogs owned by residents on Vashon Island.
For cats, VIPP asks for any health history and a written description of the cat’s history and personality traits. We meet with the owner at our cat shelter to do the intake. Cats are quarantined for 10 days to ensure their health and also the health of the current cats at the shelter. After that time, cats are moved to a common room and briefly kenneled to get them used to their new roommates. After the brief kenneling time, cats are able to roam freely in their new rooms with access to a catio for safe outdoor access.
For dogs, VIPP will do a behavior evaluation when necessary. We ask for a health history and a written description of the dog’s history and personality traits. Dogs are placed in foster homes, which are vetted to the highest standards. In the case of aggressive dogs, VIPP reserves the right to decline the intake and will suggest other options.
Our all-volunteer group works as quickly as possible to address intakes and to care for the safety and well being of your pet.
VIPP knows that surrendering your pet is a very difficult decision, but sometimes, it is the only one to make. If you choose to surrender your pet, you'll be asked to complete a surrender contract. Your signature on this contract represents a permanent decision on your part. This allows us to provide veterinary care and down the road, legally adopt out the pet to a carefully pre-screened 'forever' home. Please note: We consider adoptions through our organization to be closed, meaning that we do not reveal the identities of either the surrendering or adopting parties. This ensures your privacy, as well as the privacy of the adopter, will be protected.
