We’ve been busy today gearing up for tomorrow’s 22nd Polar Bear Plunge! It looks like Mother Nature has been busy too, as she’s preparing to roll out a fresh blanket of snow tonight to welcome us!
Although we love the idea of plunging in true polar bear style, we’ve been notified that there’s a chance the park may have to close if their roads are too hazardous for travel. Either way, we will post a status update no later than 8 am tomorrow morning.
Enjoy your warm slumber tonight, Polar Bears!
With 2024 coming to an end, we would like to thank everyone for their support over the last year. We are so grateful to have such a caring community who show up, time after time, for animals in need. If you've been considering making a year-end, tax-deductible gift, you still have a few hours left to do so! Watch this video to see the impact your donation has on the animals in Washington County, and then visit hswcmd.ord/donate-now before midnight to make a contribution.
We look forward to saving lives with you again in 2025!
Lee's Story
Make a tax-deductible gift before the year ends! Visit hswcmd.org/donate-now. Your support made a difference in Lee's life! Read his story below:
Late one evening in the end of March, an HSWC Field Services officer was called out to pick up a stray cat that had been caught in a trap. The 5-year-old, gray tabby was in rough shape.
The cat, who we named Lee, had green discharge leaking from his sore nose. His body was covered in scabs, fleas, and thinning hair, and his face was wet with tear stains. Despite his poor condition and the amount of handling required to examine him, Lee was never anything but sweet. He purred and sought attention from every human he met.
His recovery was not an easy one. Lee's ears required multiple treatments and cleanings to remove the dark, waxy debris that had built up over time. His eyes and nose continued to suffer the effects of a severe upper respiratory infection. Lee's breathing was heavy at times, and his nose, already sore and caked with dried mucous, dripped with a bloody discharge. He was sedated to check for polyps in his nose, but none were found. Lee's skin lesions persisted for months and were treated with injectable antibiotic. Throughout all of it, Lee remained loving and affectionate, and he was easily a staff favorite.
It took about two months and a lot of trial and error, but Lee's health eventually improved -- with one exception. Our veterinary team determined that Lee may always have a "slight case of the sniffles" -- a characteristic that only made him more endearing.
Exactly 70 days after he had arrived, Lee left the shelter for his forever home! He was looking and feeling his best, and we were thrilled for this new chapter of his life.
Lee is now a beloved member of his family! His adopter shared that Lee is "constantly cuddling," whether it be with the humans or dog in his home. He's also amassed quite the collection of mouse toys -- over 50 in total! Lee is doing great and has been staying healthy. It
This cautionary tale is 100% true! Be sure to register by the end of the day TODAY (Dec. 26) to snag a 2025 Polar Bear Plunge t-shirt! Don't be a Dave -- visit hswcmd.org/polar-bear-plunge now!
They may not have a home for the holidays, but all of the dogs in the shelter were treated to a home-cooked Christmas dinner yesterday! We hope this video of them happily gobbling down their sweet potatoes, green beans, and turkeys brings some holiday cheer to everyone.
Thank you to our dedicated staff and volunteers who go above and beyond to bring joy to the lives of the animals in our care. Your acts of kindness do not go unnoticed.
❄Visit hswcmd.org/donate-now to make a gift today! Thanks to a generous donor, all donations made in December will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $25,000! ❄
Marty was rescued from a house HSWC Field Services officers described as one of the worst they have ever seen. His body bore the signs of the neglect he had suffered, but his needs were far more than skin-deep. Marty is just one of the thousands of animals who enter HSWC each year who rely on your support. Help provide more animals like Marty with a chance to heal and the opportunity to find the comfort and joy they so deeply deserve.
Visit hswcmd.org/donate-now to make a life-saving gift today.
"Existing to improve the quality of life for all animals." EIN 52-0542025
