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

My friends, I am Piedmont, Cat of Distinction.  I find myself temporarily without a place to call home.  I’m hoping you were able to attend the grand opening of our brand-new animal shelter Saturday.  That way, you’ll know where to find me when I move into my new suite very soon.  If you are looking  Continue Reading

Join the fun or just find a good spot to watch this year’s Farm Parade… Eric Ellison takes his ducks on a “dry” run and Lori Ann David of Aurora Farms, where the Farm Store is open daily, is ready to roll…  San Juan Island Grange is pleased to announce the 8th annual Friday Harbor Fall  Continue Reading

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor announces it will hold a Grand Opening Celebration for its new shelter facility, Saturday September 29 from 2:00-4:00 in the afternoon. Members of the community of all ages are invited to attend and tour the new animal shelter and enjoy light refreshments.  Parking will be limited, so carpooling  Continue Reading

There are so many things in this world I haven’t figured out yet.  The long green snake that spits water is just one of them.  And what about the big metal box with wheels that brought me here all the way from Texas?  What’s that all about?  And furthermore, why don’t people have tails?  My  Continue Reading

Amy Lambert, lecturer at the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, University of Washington Bothell, will be giving a Pub Night Talk: “Encountering Rarity: Restoring the Endangered Island Marble Butterfly”. Once thought to be extinct, the Island Marble butterfly is making a comeback in the San Juan Islands. Lambert, a conservation biologist, explains why saving the  Continue Reading

“The message brought by J50, and by J35 and her dead calf a few weeks ago, is that the SRKW are running out of reproductive capacity and extinction of this population is looming, while the humans convene task forces and conference calls that result in nothing, or worse than nothing, diverting attention and resources from  Continue Reading

Here’s a note from Safe Shippers… Proudly, our San Juan County Council Members recently joined their Canadian counterparts, the Islands Trust Council, in calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to abandon the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project, once and for all. As Safe Shippers well know, if approved, this project would increase tanker traffic by 700%  Continue Reading

The Whale Museum invites everyone to the first annual event, “The Dinner Party,” an elegant fundraiser and auction on Friday, September 14, 6:00 pm, at Brickworks. Proceeds benefit the museum’s mission of promoting stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research.  The evening will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a reception  Continue Reading

Buenos Dias, Amigos and Amigas.  I am Buddah, a kitten of many amazing qualities.  I love to jump, play, cuddle, pounce, wrestle, purr, nuzzle, run, hunt the red dot, climb pants, and take siestas, but not necessarily in that order.  I am looking for you….and hoping that you are looking for me!  I’m here at  Continue Reading

What types of woodpeckers might you see on the San Juan Islands?   How can you tell if they are living in your woodland? Join Shona Aitken, Education Coordinator at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehab Center to find out more about these fascinating birds and their important role in our local forests.   Refreshments are courtesy  Continue Reading

Did you know that most of the otters we see around here are river otters? It is true. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) has adapted to our salt water environment. “River otters are semi-aquatic mustelids (the weasel family), and are traditionally thought to be freshwater animals.  However, across both coasts of North America, river otters  Continue Reading

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Look at me! I’m Timbo and I’m almost 15 years old! You should see the tricks I’ve learned since I arrived here at your animal shelter! I can make toys squeak, chase other dogs in the dog yard and even retrieve the ball if the  Continue Reading