The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor is a great place to visit in December! Join us on Saturday, December 1st for the Island Lights Festival in Friday Harbor. To get everyone warmed up, come to The Whale Museum for our annual Holiday Open House Saturday from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Fun for all ages!  Continue Reading

My name is Frodo. It looks like I’ll be without my own dysfunctional family to dine with on Thanksgiving again this year. For the record, I’m still single, I don’t have a job, I’ve been known to drink out of the toilet, and I fart at inappropriate times. If you don’t mind my saying so,  Continue Reading

Here’s a letter from Kyle Wall and the Pacific Whale Watch Association… Statement from the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA): The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) is a committed partner focused on efforts to protect the health of the Southern Resident killer whale population. We appreciate the work of our fellow members on the Governor’s  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag this morning we have this letter to you from Debbi Fincher… Hi Friends, Family and all around Supporters of J, K & L Pods,    I have to try… I can’t sit idly by when our local orca pods need our help more than ever. I want to be sure  Continue Reading

Looking for a special gift for that person on your list who is difficult to buy for? The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor has just the thing! A beautiful, one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted rocking horse has been donated to Treasure Hounds, the animal shelter’s upscale retail outlet, located next to the bowling alley. The piece is  Continue Reading

Charley Goddu, a 10-year old poodle mix, received the first dog license of 2019 at the San Juan County Auditor’s office. Charley, a former rescue dog, was adopted in 2015 by Peter Goddu and Margaret Langlie at the Skagit Humane Society. Charley is one of the friendliest dogs in town. He greets everyone with an  Continue Reading

Hello darlings. I’m Nora and just in case you’re wondering, I am in excellent shape. The last time I checked, round IS a shape. I’m a middle-aged gal in search of a living situation where I can just be “Me” and watch my Jazzercise videos and cooking shows in the comfort of my own home.  I’d  Continue Reading

Wolf Hollow is excited to introduce our new Executive Director, Chanda Stone. Chanda joined Wolf Hollow in September, assuming the helm from our previous Director, Amy Saxe-Eyler.  Chanda Stone – Contributed photo A native of southern California, Chanda has many years of experience as an arborist, wetland restoration coordinator and volunteer specialist. She earned a  Continue Reading

Hello! We’re the Three Amigos – Bowie, Baez and Elton! We’re appearing now at the animal shelter. If you hurry you might make it in time to catch one of our performances. We’re very talented – just wait until you hear us sing! We’re just 8 weeks old, and ready to start our solo careers.  Continue Reading

On Saturday, November 10th from 11am – 3pm, an Orca Recovery Day of Action will take place at Jackson Beach on San Juan Island in coordination with Conservation District events around Puget Sound. Come hear speakers Dr. Deborah Giles, Science and Research Director for Wild Orca, Resident Scientist at UW Friday Harbor Labs, and Research  Continue Reading

Well hello there. My name is Dudley. I may look like I’m a deep thinker but, 99% of the time I’m thinking of ways to outsmart the red dot. The rest of the time I’m napping. If these are things you enjoy doing, give me call. I’m here at the animal shelter. Thinking. Animal Protection  Continue Reading

Dear Safe Shippers and Orca Protectors, Governor Inslee’s Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery and Task Force has issued round 2 of the draft recommendations for actions — winnowing 63 recommendations to 36. This is our chance to comment on every one — for the orca! The Southern Residents are well-represented by this hard working Task  Continue Reading

Letter to the Editor: The clock is running out for Southern Resident Killer Whale recovery. But the question is not, ‘How much time do we have?’ rather, ‘What can we do that will reverse the current extinction trend and how quickly can protection and recovery actions be implemented?’ As members of working groups for the  Continue Reading

Hi there! My name is Scooby and I’m Friday Harbor’s newest stand-up comedian. Say, what’s it called when a kitten with a full belly meows for more food, even when their bowl is half full? FAKE MEWS! Get it? What do you get when you cross a dog with a calculator? A FRIEND YOU CAN  Continue Reading

Summer may have gone but Fall is here, which means it is time to gear down and reconnect with others interested in learning more about the Salish Sea! Everyone is welcome to come join us for two big events this weekend being put on by The Whale Museum: Saturday, October 20: Gear Down Workshop for  Continue Reading

Tamara Weaver writes about St. Francis’ Blessing of the Animals… On October 4, people all over the world celebrated the feast day of the Patron Saint of Animals, Saint Francis of Assisi. It’s customary that in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures, animals are led to churches for a special ceremony  Continue Reading

Name: Farrah Status: Single. Haven’t found my soulmate. Yet. Sign: Aries. Virgo rising. Likes: Hip Hop, Chinese food, BBC World Radio, belly rubs, chardonnay Dislikes: Plastic wine glasses, opinions that differ from mine, Tibetan throat singing, beady eyes What Intrigues Me: Dogs eating peanut butter, flatulence, I Love Lucy re-runs Favorite Movie: The Swamp Thing  Continue Reading

From Shona Aitken at Wolf Hollow… When someone mentions visitors to the islands, most of us immediately think of crowds of people streaming off the ferries in the middle of summer. But there are also wild creatures that are only here part time. Ospreys, Turkey Vultures, swallows and many hummingbirds and warblers spend the summer  Continue Reading

Hello. My name is Micky and I LOVE to party. And by party, I mean go for long walks and have my belly rubbed. Let me offer you some free advice. Never – and I mean NEVER, wake a sleeping cat. Trust me. You do not want to release the inner ninja in one of  Continue Reading

A message from the San Juan Island Grange…  The eighth annual parade of tractors, farm trucks, horses, and goats on leash is ready to roll down Argyle and Spring Streets on Saturday, October 6.  If you would like to join in, come to the fairgrounds where staging starts at 1:30. Bring good shoes, a sign  Continue Reading

Ours is an animal loving community as witnessed by the grand opening Saturday of NewHome/New Hope – Luca Center for the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor.  From the History of APSFH on the APSFH website, “We have come a long way in 36 years. Time and necessary changes require us to find a new home  Continue Reading

San Juan Island resident, Jan Murphy, will be on-hand at the San Juan Island Public Library Monday, October 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 to give a presentation on Bear Bile farming and other animal welfare issues in China and Vietnam. Jan will discuss her work with the organization, Animals Asia and show a film, “Jill  Continue Reading