Founded in 1990, WAIF (Whidbey Animals' Improvement Foundation) is a non-profit organization on Whidbey Island, in the state of Washington, that helps pets and their people.

WAIF's Mission: To help all companion animals in need find loving homes.

WAIF's Vision: These are basic to the organization:

• Compassion — All companion animals deserve a home where they will be treated with kindness and compassion.
• Respect — Animals possess inherent dignity, nobility, and innocence and deserve respect.
• Responsibility — In gratitude for the many ways companion animals enrich human life, we all share responsibility for their welfare.
• Community — WAIF's greatest strength is the community's passion, commitment, and generosity. People working together for the animals is the heart and soul of WAIF.
• Sound Business Practices — To sustain WAIF's long-term viability, it must utilize core business competencies with integrity in innovative ways.

WAIF manages animal shelters in Coupeville and Oak Harbor. Island County provides 5 days of funding for dogs and no funding for cats. Through donations of time and money, WAIF operates a minimal-kill facility for healthy, adoptable pets until they are placed into permanent, suitable homes. No animals are euthanized because of shelter population. WAIF only euthanizes animals with aggressive behavioral problems and/or animals that are suffering.

In 1995, WAIF opened a thrift store on Whidbey Island, in Freeland, and in 2000 opened another thrift store in Oak Harbor. These stores help raise funds, but donations are vital to maintaining the current level of care. There are many ways to donate and your help is always appreciated.

Please e-mail any questions or comments to waifcom@whidbey.net