About Us
About Friends of JAS
Friends of JAS is a nonprofit organization created by Joint Animal Services volunteers who wanted to do more to support the shelter, its staff, and the animals in its care.
We became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in June 2024 and work in partnership with Joint Animal Services to provide additional resources, raise awareness, and support projects that benefit the shelter and the community it serves.
Who We Are
Friends of JAS was founded by shelter volunteers who saw firsthand both the remarkable work being done at Joint Animal Services and the additional needs that a community nonprofit could help address.
Joint Animal Services is the public animal shelter serving Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and unincorporated Thurston County. Friends of JAS focuses specifically on supporting JAS and helping expand the resources available to the shelter, its staff, and the animals in its care.
Today, Friends of JAS has more than 300 members. You do not need to volunteer or foster for Joint Animal Services to become a member—just an interest in supporting the shelter and its mission.
How We Help
Friends of JAS works directly with Joint Animal Services management and staff to identify needs, establish priorities, and support projects that can make a meaningful difference.
Our work has included:
Improvements to the veterinary clinic
Dog play and enrichment areas
The dog adoption room
Shelter grounds and outdoor spaces
Landscaping, cleanup, gardening, and painting projects
Community outreach and public awareness
Support for these efforts comes from individual donations, fundraising activities, in-kind donations from local residents and businesses, and charitable grants.
What We’ve Accomplished
Community Support Makes It Possible
Friends of JAS has been fortunate to receive generous support from individuals, businesses, and community organizations.
Grant support has included funding from the Nisqually Indian Tribe, Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, Squaxin Island Tribe, The Ruth Foundation, and VCA Charities.
Together with individual donations and volunteer labor, this support has helped Friends of JAS fund equipment, improve shelter spaces, and complete projects that directly benefit animals and the people who care for them.
Our work continues as new needs and opportunities arise.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors brings direct experience with Joint Animal Services, including shelter volunteering, fostering animals, fundraising, community outreach, and hands-on shelter projects.
That experience gives board members firsthand insight into the work being done every day by JAS staff and volunteers, as well as the areas where Friends of JAS can provide additional support.
The board works closely with Joint Animal Services leadership to help ensure FoJAS projects and funding are directed toward meaningful shelter needs.
How We’re Organized
Friends of JAS is led by a seven-member Board of Directors and supported by three standing committees.
The board and committees meet regularly to plan projects, coordinate fundraising and communications, and work with Joint Animal Services on shelter priorities.
Our committees provide opportunities for members to become more involved in areas such as communications, finance, and shelter projects. Members also help with community events and hands-on projects at the shelter.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
Friends of JAS exists because people in our community care deeply about the animals and people served by Joint Animal Services.
Whether you donate, volunteer, attend an event, join a committee, or simply help spread the word, your support helps us continue this work.
Join Us Donate Contact Us
Candace Mattson
President
Beth Garcia Norris
Vice President
Kathlyn Lawrence
Member
Jerry Barney
Member
Nicole Bisping
Treasurer
Laura Chancellor
Member
Sondra Iverson
Secretary