Okandogs: Rescuing dogs — and now, feeding starving cattle

Tom and Jan Short have a wonderful home in Cashmere, right on the Wenatchee River.

- JAANA HATTON

It’s grand enough to be a resort. In a way, it is — for dogs.

The Shorts are the founders of the Okandogs dog rescue. It all started in 2014.

“After my retirement we started walking the dogs at the Humane Society (in Wenatchee),” Tom, a former Air Force and commercial pilot, said.

While volunteering, they learned that the Okanogan area has no humane societies or animal rescues of any kind. The Shorts became that much-needed entity.

“Wenatchee has been very helpful,” Tom said, referring both to individuals and businesses.

Okandogs is a non-profit organization, relying on donations to keep going. Their mission is to “help dogs in the Okanogan region of Washington State… to rescue, spay/neuter, provide emergency veterinary care, and adopt out or transfer dogs to West-side rescue organizations.”

“The money situation is okay right now,” Tom explained. “We need volunteers, such as admin help and dog walkers.”

The adoption, which costs $150, is a bit more than just a cash-and-carry scenario.

“We are picky,” Tom pointed out. “The adoption form is five pages long. We do our best to make it a good match and find a good home.”