Bainbridge Island Nonprofits and Charities

My experience with West Sound Wildlife Shelter was appalling. We called to report a 4 week old racoon dying from heat exhaustion. The intake person was dismissive and unhelpful as she just assumed the racoon had distemper (it didn't) and put us through an hours worth of frustrating hoops to send her pictures and videos (as we were standing on the side of the road in 90 degree heat with poor cell reception unsure of what to do while this baby was suffering). She gave us no direction and no information and stopped responding altogether other than 'well I guess you could take it home for the night.'<br>It was a rescue group from another state that we connected with who coached me on how and what to bottle feed the kit, which I did, all night long. The next day that same out-of-state rescue group connected me with a rehabber and we drove hours to get her to someone who wouldn't automatically assume distemper and euthanize her.<br>That's when I received a call from the Executive Director of West Sound Wildlife Shelter and while I was thanking her for reaching out she interrupted me to ask me where the animal was. When I told her we just dropped her off to a rehabber she interrupted me again to ask who and since she was speaking to me with a hostile tone, and considering how dismissive the intake person was the day before I told her I wasn't sure I felt comfortable sharing that information. She then told me the raccoon probably has distemper (in other words guaranteed euthanization) and said her good bye and hung up on me!!<br>When I called her back to ask why she hung up on me she said I had 'been nothing but rude to her, she has no time for this and no time for me' and hung up on me again!! (Note: my only words to her was to thank her for her call, we dropped off the kit and I wasn't comfortable sharing where. That's it). We were beyond shocked. My friend in the car heard the whole thing and thought I was speaking to a teenager.<br>This is the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR! I was mind blowing. Truly.<br><br>Since then we have spoken to several other people who had a similar experience with this shelter and in particular that they are dismissive and quick to euthanize 'low-value' animals (it's the eagles and other high profile saves that get them the big donations). My issue with that is they masquerade as a shelter that will save ALL wild animals.<br>By the way, I have kept in touch with the rehabber and the racoon is thriving. She did not have distemper, and had I let West Sound have her they would most definitely have ended her life.<br>This Executive Director is doing a disservice to wildlife and to the general public with her hostile nature and dismissive attitude. And considering her background doesn't even have anything to do with animals it is clear she is in the wrong profession.<br>

SeaShare does an amazing job securing donations of seafood and distributing to food banks to feed needy Americans. The company I work for is proud to be a part of the growing network of donors and service providers that make this program so successful. The staff at SeaShare are remarkably effective at what they do, making their overhead about as low as any non-profit can be, which means a large percentage of seafood, monetary or service donations go towards feeding people, not administrative overhead. By donating seafood, SeaShare also helps to promote consumption of the healthiest protein possible. I highly recommend to anyone that they consider helping out with this great cause.

Bainbridge Island Land Trust is an accredited land trust. Accreditation means Bainbridge Island Land Trust meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Bainbridge Island Land Trust has demonstrated to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission its commitment to excellence. Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. These land trusts demonstrate their commitment to excellence by adopting Land Trust Standards and Practices, the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust, and meeting the accreditation requirements drawn from them. Learn More: http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/about.

Peacock Family Center is by far the BEST facility for learning and growing. My son is always excited to go to school to see his friends and his teachers! The class sizes are awesome. We arent just a number or face there. All of the staff took the time to get to know me and my son. I really feel like they all care about my sons developmental learning. Some other great things are that it's completely green, non toxically cleaned, neat and organized, and all of the food served is in-house made. I really don't think any other facility can even compare. I recommend them to all of my mommy friends. Awesome awesome awesome!