PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Peninsula Humane Society has released an open letter to the community, acknowledging past mistakes occurred during management of its Bark House, while noting that not all recent allegations are accurate.
“OPHS recognizes the impact that mismanagement and negligent oversight had on public trust,” the letter read. “In 2023 and the years immediately prior, OPHS leadership did an inadequate job advocating for the animals in their care and securing safe, appropriate shelter.”
“We fully admit that things happened that shouldn’t have happened,” board president and volunteer acting Executive Director Paul Stehr-Green said.
The mistake that led to Bark House’s temporary closure was the housing of an excessive number of dogs, at one point reaching 108 in a facility meant for only 40. Some of the dogs had been brought from out of state. However, Stehr-Green said that, to his knowledge, it was out of a desire to save dogs that were at risk of being euthanized, rather than to get more money.
“I admire them [staff] for their heart,” Stehr-Green said. “But criticize their lack of judgment.”
Staff and volunteers at OPHS also were untrained and had no oversight, Stehr-Green said, leading to more unsafe conditions and animal neglect. The overcrowding and inexperienced staff led to unhealthy conditions, disease outbreaks and deaths.
“They ignored their responsibility to give those animals the highest quality care, to keep them healthy and happy,” Stehr-Green said.
However, some of the claims that have been made against OPHS are untrue, Stehr-Green said.
No puppies died from eating staples, and although doses of Trazodone were given to dogs who hadn’t undergone surgery, it was recommended by a veterinarian due to stress induced from Fourth of July activities, Stehr-Green said.
Overall, the mistakes and the mismanagement placed such a financial strain on the system that it “ultimately resulted in the temporary closure of the Bark House for eight months, beginning in August 2024,” according to the letter.
Since then, almost all Bark House employees left or were laid off, the executive director left and OPHS’ board was almost completely replaced, with only members not involved in the mismanagement invited to stay on and facilitate the transition, according to the letter.
“It’s a new crew,” Stehr-Green said. “Don’t blame our current staff.”
While Stehr-Green joined the board around May 2024 and served for a short time during what he referred to as “the dark period,” he said the president and vice president didn’t communicate with the rest of the board about the conditions at the Bark House or any of the actions they took.
“Yes, I was on the board,” he said. “Yes, I could have done something. But I didn’t know what was being done.”
Now, OPHS has learned from its mistakes, Stehr-Green said, and even the most egregious actions that occurred now have safeguards in place to prevent them from happening again, he said.
The facility, operating procedures and staff have undergone an almost complete overhaul. Staff and volunteers receive thorough and comprehensive training on how to care for the animals, and the manager carefully supervises the environment to ensure the training is followed. The facility has been cleaned and upgraded, there are strict limits on the number of dogs OPHS will intake, and narcotics are now stored in a locked cabinet with the keys secured in Stehr-Green’s office, he said.
While pay is still lower than Stehr-Green said he would like — and staff do not have benefits other than a 401(k) — OPHS was able to give staff cost of living increases in 2025, he said. Two employees who took on heightened responsibilities after the changes also received merit increases, he added.
“We’re a nonprofit solely dependent on donations,” Stehr-Green said. “With donated funds, we just can’t afford that (benefits and higher pay). They deserve it.”
Now, Bark House has 14 dogs waiting for adoption and has adopted two since it reopened in March. By the end of the month, Stehr-Green said he is hoping to get another batch of dogs and have about 27 in the shelter.
“The truth is that OPHS is committed to offering sanctuary to the community’s most at-risk animals — and is now delivering on that commitment,” the letter read.
“We have dogs; they’re happy,” Stehr-Green said. “We have staff that are gaining confidence.”
The letter encouraged anyone who wants to learn more about OPHS to view the financial pages, shelter statistics and other relevant information posted on its website. Additionally, Stehr-Green invited the public to visit Bark House, at 1743 Old Olympic Highway, or Kitty City, at 91 Boyce Road in Sequim.
________
Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
