Welcome to Saving Athena

This page is dedicated to the advocacy of an innocent soul, Athena. She was stuck at the Spokane Humane Society, SHS, for 917 days. She was sentenced to either life at the shelter or death. Athena's record is clean, most of her life in the shelter and not a single bite on her record.

Now, after public pressure, SHS's director transferred Athena to SCRAPs--not so Athena would have her best chance, but so the other shelter could take the fall for Athena's euthanasia.

Kim Morin, the Spokane Humane Society director, repeatedly blocked attempts to adopt, foster, provide care and training, and other life-saving steps that SHS's local community expects a humane shelter to fulfill. She had the option to transfer Athena to a rescue that had a foster home lined up with a trainer, and instead sent Athena to face her death in an unfamiliar shelter with people she does not know. 

 

A house with a fenced yard and constant access to love and affection, and a qualified trainer to manage behaviors--or a shelter infamous for euthanizing dogs that have done nothing wrong. Which would you have chosen? 

We would love to trust our local shelters with the vulnerable population of homeless dogs and cats, we would love to assume that any decision that is made is based on what is best for each situation. Unfortunately, what is happening is a result of an inexperienced director and inside drama and politics. SHS will try to spin this situation to fool you, rest assured this movement is made up of people who personally know Athena, the shelter, and the situation. 

 

Kim Morin is hoping that we the public will not notice. That you won't blame the death of Athena on her if another shelter does the dirty work, that you will just accept whatever excuse she gives as the reason for transfer. We the public are capable of seeing through this, it is our duty to hold our local shelters accountable when they fail the population they have promised to save and care for. Please, the lives of the remaining dogs at SHS rely on you! Add your voice by sharing Athena's story, and by signing our petition below to demand transparency and accountability. 

Action Items

Petition to Save Future Lives

This petition is to save the rest of the dogs at the Spokane Humane Society. Have you ever spoke with too much anger or reacted without thinking? Current policy does not leave room for forgiveness or understanding for a pup having one bad moment or day. This one is for all the dogs that have already been needlessly killed since SHS's policy change, and for all the dogs currently at risk in their care. 

Petition to Free Athena

While Athena is no longer in Spokane Humane Society's care, we are hoping enough signatures advocating for her release will show SCRAPs that this dog is worth saving. It's not too late!

Frequently Asked Questions

If the shelter has made this decision, shouldn't we trust it?

When it comes to behavioral euthanasia, a humane shelter should only take its course when the dog is beyond rehabilitation, or after an attack that results in serious and irreperable damage. Athena has not bitten anyone and has not gone through training programs to address unwanted behaviors. 

While SHS has avoided the responsibility of killing Athena themselves, they have chosen action that will result in her death anyway.

Where was Athena supposed to go?

There is a 501(c)3 rescue that already has a foster lined up and ready to take her in, and she is set up to go through a training program while there. This means Athena would get to live in a house, with a fenced yard and consistent access to love and affection, for the first time in a very long time

Why won't SHS release Athena?

SHS is saying the rescue who wanted to pull Athena did not have the insurance needed to take her on. This is untrue, Athena only displays manageable behaviors and has never bitten anyone. She has also been deemed potentially dangerous based on personal perception made by unqualified individuals, not based on actual behavioral assessments. 

The reason given to advocates before that has been that SHS's insurance would not let them release her, that Athena is a dangerous dog and any potential bites would fall back on SHS and result in them being sued. 

Multiple rescues have offered to sign a waiver to release SHS of all liability. Any rescue or shelter organization risks being sued when they adopt out a dog, as any dog has the potential to bite depending on the situation. This is part of the job, and part of the responsibility SHS accepted when they organized and became a shelter to adopt out homeless dogs and cats.

Athena does not have a bite record. After 917 days, Athena has only ever given out warnings--a testament to her good nature and willingness to avoid causing harm, including situations where she's feeling threatened, scared, or unsure.

What can I do?

Add your voice! Under "Action Steps" you can find a petition to sign to hold SHS accountable. Put pressure on the shelter and the board to take action. We may be too late to save Athena, but we can try to save all the other dogs that would face her same fate.

The Spokane Humane Society is a nonprofit organization and relies on donations and public support. Those who donate to the shelter do so under the assumption the shelter is operating using humane methods and fulfilling their duty to do everything needed to find homes for this vulnerable population. The more voices added to advocate for Athena, the harder it will be for SHS to operate without full transparency.

Should I still adopt from SHS?

YES PLEASE!! Our goal is to hold the shelter's director and boards accountable so they operate with more transparency, and to save Athena from her sentencing. The dogs and cats in SHS's care are blameless and are still very much in need of loving homes. 

 

Contact us

Have a question or need assistance? Fill out the form below to get in touch with our team. We are here to help!

About us

Saving Athena is a group of advocates who were trying to petition for the release of the innocent dog, Athena, from the shelter Spokane Humane Society. SHS is located in Spokane, Washington, and has housed Athena for more than 900 days. An established 501(3)c rescue organization has a foster home lined up already, as well as a trainer ready to work with her, but SHS refused to release to her best chance, and instead sent her to face her death in a shelter completely different to the one that has been her home. It is time to hold this shelter accountable for their actions in order to save future lives.