10/29/2026
Transparency matters. But numbers without context don't tell the whole story.
On Monday, Hands N Paws presented our shelter statistics at a city council meeting. Following that meeting, the Columbia Basin Herald shared our numbers, and while we appreciate the coverage, we also believe it's important that our community understands what those numbers actually represent.
Between October 2025 and September 2026, Hands N Paws recorded 508 intakes and 491 outcomes. Of those outcomes:
* 308 animals were adopted into new homes.
* 67 were transferred to partner shelters.
* 62 were reunited with their owners.
* 2 cats were released to colony caretakers.
* 26 animals were euthanized.
* 22 animals died while in our care.
* 4 animals were lost or stolen from care.
We know that the euthanasia and died-in-care numbers are difficult to read. We are animal lovers, too. Every single one of those lives matters to us. But it's important to understand the circumstances behind those numbers.
For cats, particularly kittens, medical complications and failure to thrive account for many of these losses. Many of these kittens arrive without their mothers, sometimes at ages far too young to survive independently. Even with experienced caregivers, around-the-clock attention, feeding schedules and medical intervention, some simply cannot overcome the physical challenges they're facing. Failure to thrive means their bodies are unable to sustain themselves, and despite our best efforts, their systems eventually shut down.
For dogs, euthanasia decisions are more commonly related to behavioral and public safety concerns. This can include serious aggression toward people or other animals. Bite cases can involve lengthy processes, sometimes requiring court involvement, and we have cared for dogs for up to 60 days while those cases are being addressed. We also evaluate dogs to determine whether they can safely and responsibly be placed into adoptive homes. When serious safety concerns cannot be resolved, we sometimes face incredibly difficult decisions.
There are also medical emergencies, including animals hit by vehicles and other critical injuries. We work to get these animals veterinary attention as quickly as possible, but unfortunately, not every animal survives.
We aren't sharing this to make excuses. We're sharing it because context matters.
Animal rescue isn't just about adoptions. It's about medical care, behavioral assessment, public safety, responsible placement, community education and making difficult decisions when there are no easy answers.
We believe transparency builds trust, and education is one of the most important tools we have to keep both our community and its animals safe.
If you have questions about our statistics, individual outcomes or the reasons behind these decisions, please reach out. I am more than willing to have those conversations and explain what goes into them.
We welcome questions. We welcome conversations. And we believe our community deserves honest answers.
📧 [email protected] 🌐 Visit our website for additional shelter statistics and information. 📞 509-246-1245
Thank you to everyone who supports our work, asks questions, advocates for animals and helps us make a difference. Every life matters, and every number has a story behind it.
— Hands N Paws 🐾
