It may not look like much now, but as the future site of Almost Home, a no-kill pet adoption center, it is a dream true for animal lovers in Lewis County. The two acre piece of property located at 2660 NE Kresky Ave. in Chehalis was purchased in early June. 

   Friends of the Lewis County Animal Shelter(FOLCAS) was formed to help support the Lewis County Animal Shelter and to promote responsible pet ownership in Lewis County, by educating the community on the importance of spaying and neutering their pets. The group holds many off site outreaches and adopt-a-thons to try to place as many animals as possible in homes. Nancy and Jim Carroll, who have been organizing outreaches for many years, even before FOLCAS was formed, said " We could hold adopt-a-thons every weekend and still not find homes for them all. There just isn’t enough room at the shelter. More space for the overflow will make a huge difference and give these pets a second chance” said Nancy Carroll.  "Because of the number of unwanted pets in Lewis County, our dream has been to build a no-kill facility for the overflow of the Lewis County Animal Shelter. It is also our goal to educate our community on the benefits of spaying and neutering their pets so that in addition to increased adoptions the number of pet births decreases" said Patty Kaija, President of FOLCAS. Space has always been an issue for the Lewis County Animal Shelter. Currently, there are 50-60 cages available for cats and only 16 main runs for dogs. The shelter is full year round. Amy Clark, LCAS manager works to shuffle adoptable dogs to other shelters and rescue groups to decrease euthanasia, but unfortunately there are not many programs to help the many cats and kittens that they don't have enough room for. "It’s heartbreaking to have to euthanize perfectly healthy, adoptable pets because there just isn’t enough room for them all” said Clark. "No adoptable pet should have to be euthanized for lack of space". While there is no cost estimate to build the facility yet, FOLCAS would like to get a core facility built as soon as possible and expand as money becomes available. The capital fund drive is now underway and will rely heavily on private donations and grants. 

   Donations can be made at any Security State Bank, mailed to FOLCAS, PO Box 1421, Chehalis, WA 98532 or made here online just click here.

Friends of the Lewis County Animal Shelter is a 501(c)3) non-profit corporation and all donations are tax-deductible. For more information about FOLCAS or the Twin Cities Pet Adoption Center, Please contact Patty Kaija at 360-508-0151 or pattyk@folcas.org