SPOKANE, WA – Their mission is over 125 years in the making, but it almost came to an end after the Spokane Humane Society’s insurance agency pulled their coverage.
In May of 2024, the humane society learned they would no longer have coverage, as of mid-summer. “(I thought) the pets that are here, where is everybody going to go?” said executive director, Kim Reasoner Morin, “We were being denied in the admitted lines and then being denied in the non-admitted lines. I was really starting to feel that pressure, along with the board of directors and my leadership team.”
The humane society has filed two recent bite claims with their previous insurance company. That, along with rising costs in insurance premiums nationwide, led to this decision. In October of 2023, the humane society instituted an intake process that includes a behavioral assessment for dogs and cats. In order for SHS to be able to take animals in, with the safety of their staff and volunteers in mind, the animals have to pass a behavioral assessment. Due to that assessment, there has been a reduction in behavioral cases the humane society has taken in, according to Reasoner Morin.
“All of our canines, all of our felines receive enrichment and time outside their kennel every day. Thats something we’re very proud of and we’ve made a goal, over the last 3 years to do that. But over time, the time they spend in the shelter, you’re going to have increased behaviors and we’ve been really focused on getting them set up on our board to train. Thats where we are dedicating operational funds to send these animals away for a four to six week, one on one training, outside of Spokane with a certified trainer,” explained Reasoner Morin.
With new insurance coverage, as of August 1st, the humane society is now paying eight times for insurance coverage compared to what they were paying before. It has led to some tough decisions about what stays and what has to go. Key staff have been let go in order to keep the doors open. The structure of business also had to adapt, “I’m responsible for these people and they have homes and children,” Reasoner Morin spoke on the decision to cut jobs.
With new coverage, operating hours at the general shelter have changed and appointments are required for adoption. “(Our) clinic, Petsmart, Bark have all remained the same, which we are very fortunate for. Because, we can adopt those animals out of those locations,” said Reasoner Morin.
Another key piece to the puzzle was keeping their volunteers, but that required a separate insurance policy. Reasoner Morin told us, “We had to increase their safety, so they will be doing more training, new volunteers will go through very extensive training.”
Now more than ever before, the humane society is relying on donors, volunteers and their foster families for the animals they have.
You can find out more about the Spokane Humane Society by visiting Spokane Humane Society.
