Thank you, Whidbey Island Farm Animal Assistance Program!

WAIF received a grant this month of over $11,000 from the Whidbey Island Farm Animal Assistance Program. The nonprofit, founded in 2013, shut down operations this year after over a decade of providing critical resources for Whidbey farm animals in need.

The Whidbey Island Farm Animal Assistance Program was launched by longtime WAIF supporter Pam Price; her daughter, Laura Price, a retired detective sergeant with Island County Sheriff’s Office; and former Island County Animal Control Officer Carol Barnes.

The trio had identified a resource gap for farm animal fosters. When Island County took custody of farm animals, such as in cases of animal neglect or cruelty or other extenuating circumstances, it placed the animals with fosters. Often, these individuals or organizations needed help covering the expenses of these animals’ care, but no such funds were available through the county.

Laura, Carol and Pam founded the Whidbey Island Farm Animal Assistance Program to raise and distribute funds for farm animal fosters to help cover the costs of veterinary care, food and supplies for farm animals taken into the custody of law enforcement. 

Laura and Carol brought their connections, insights and experience with the Island County Sheriff’s Office and animal control; Pam brought her business and nonprofit know-how from her many years as a business owner and WAIF volunteer.

Pam served as a WAIF board member for several years and was instrumental in establishing WAIF’s Oak Harbor Thrift Store. When she, Laura and Carol established the assistance program’s bylaws, they decided that any funds remaining if or when their organization disbanded would go to WAIF.

Laura said the decision to designate WAIF as the beneficiary of the program’s remaining funds was a “no-brainer.”

“There’s no other organization on the island that we would have given our money to more than WAIF,” she said.

Though Pam has since passed away, Laura said this grant to WAIF honors her mom’s legacy and commitment to helping animals in need.

After a successful run of over a decade, Laura, Carol, and other program board members decided to dissolve the nonprofit, as other resources for farm animal fosters have now become available. Thanks to the generosity of the organization’s supporters over the years, its impact will live on in the lives of WAIF shelter animals assisted by this grant.

“We appreciate all the people who have donated over the years and made this organization possible,” Laura said.

Thank you, Whidbey Island Farm Animal Assistance Program, for your many years of dedicated service to Whidbey animals and for your generous gift to WAIF!