The Millie Project · Whatcom County
Build the path
from rescue
to home.
Every rescue dog deserves a safe place to land. Help us create a new Rescue & Adoption Center, where vulnerable dogs can find safety, care, and a new beginning.
More room for care.
More paths to a family.
Why this matters
The missing piece
is a safe
next step.
Across the rescue system, the ability to save a dog is often determined by available space. When foster homes are full, there may be nowhere safe for an incoming dog to go.
Dogs leaving overcrowded shelters may need medical care, quarantine, recovery, and time to decompress before they’re ready for a foster home or public adoption.
The Millie Project’s proposed Rescue & Adoption Center will add that dependable space here in Whatcom County, strengthening the work of shelters, foster-based rescues, and community partners.
The pathway we’re building
Safety. Care. Connection.
Then, home.
A dedicated center, connected to an established community-centered adoption experience.
- 01 / ARRIVE
A safe landing
Intake and appropriate medical processing, with dedicated quarantine when needed.
- 02 / RECOVER
Room to exhale
Rest, recovery, enrichment, and time to understand each dog’s needs.
- 03 / CONNECT
Meet their people
Socialization and real connections through Are You My Human? and other adoption pathways.
- 04 / BELONG
A home that fits
Thoughtful adoption preparation and opportunities for meaningful matching.
The center is a proposed project. Are You My Human? Rescue Dog Lounge is the existing public-facing adoption space.
Riley’s journey
This is what
a new beginning
can look like.
Rescued from the streets of California’s Central Valley, Riley arrived severely matted, underweight, and deeply fearful of people. His story shows what care, patience, and connection can make possible.
Our rescue partner provided veterinary care, parasite and infection treatment, neutering, vaccinations, and a much-needed groom. At Are You My Human?, Riley spent four days a week building trust. After a few weeks, a wonderful couple adopted him.
Building on what’s already working
A place where dogs
and people find
each other.
Are You My Human? Rescue Dog Lounge gives adoptable dogs from partner rescues a place to socialize, build confidence, and meet potential adopters. The Millie Project is building the intake and care infrastructure that can support dogs before they reach that stage.
Figures reported in The Millie Project’s case for support.
Where your support can take us
A responsible plan.
A lasting difference.
We’re approaching this work in phases, so growth is responsible, measurable, and tied to increased capacity and impact.
Year One
Build & launch
$250,000Fundraising goal
- Facility + kennels$85,000
- Safe care infrastructure$75,000
- Rescue operations$20,000
- People + programs$45,000
- Responsible start$25,000
Year Two
Expand
$350,000Fundraising goal
- Rescue care$90,000
- Veterinary care$65,000
- Staffing$85,000
- Transport + programs$65,000
- Facility + reserve$45,000
Year Three
Strengthen & scale
$400,000Fundraising goal
- Rescue care$100,000
- Veterinary care$75,000
- Team capacity$105,000
- Adoption + partnerships$70,000
- Sustainability$50,000
These are campaign goals and planned allocations, not funds already raised. Together, the three phases make up our $1,000,000 vision.
What this
makes possible
- More rescue capacity
- Better disease control
- More consistent care
- Stronger adoption preparation
A resource for the whole community
More ways to
be part of
something good.
As programming grows, The Millie Project will prioritize accessible opportunities for youth, families, volunteers, and community members who face barriers to traditional animal-welfare programs.
Through local partnerships, the center can create opportunities for education, volunteerism, pet-resource support, community events, and low- or no-cost engagement with rescue animals.
Help build what comes next
Every new beginning
starts with someone
making space.
Space to recover. Space to feel safe. Space in a community. And ultimately, space in someone’s home. Help us build more of that space here in Whatcom County.
Give securely using the donation form below.
There’s more than one way to help
- Make a leadership gift or fund a campaign priority
- Explore a corporate or foundation partnership
- Contribute equipment or in-kind support
- Introduce us to others who may want to help
To talk about a gift or partnership, email john@millieproject.org.
Owners, Are You My Human?
Support The Millie Project
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