The “Help the Animals Fund” was created in 1977 to pay for life-saving veterinary care for sick, injured and abused animals at the Shelter. As the Shelter’s veterinary needs grew, volunteers started the Furry 5K in 1999 to raise money for the Fund and to raise awareness about responsible pet ownership. Last year, the Fund covered nearly $150,000 in veterinary bills.

“The Furry 5K has been a wonderful event for the orphaned animals of the Seattle Animal Shelter. Because of the generous Furry 5K participants, we have been able to provide veterinary care to thousands of orphaned animals and have been able to guarantee that all adoptable animals will find loving new homes,” said Shelter Director Don Jordan.

Shelter staff anticipates that this year’s Furry 5K will draw more than 3,000 people and 1,500 furry canines. The race will begin at 10 a.m. and will be followed by Pet-a-Palooza, a partnership with CBS Radio to feature entertainment, festive music, awards and an interactive vendor area. The Furry 5K is one of the few races in the Puget Sound area that encourages participants to run or walk with their dogs.

The Seattle Animal Shelter cares for approximately 6,000 stray and owner-surrendered animals each year. Many of these animals arrive sick and injured from living on the streets; others are seized from abusive or neglectful owners.

The Shelter is located at 2061 15^th Ave. W., about a mile south of the Ballard Bridge. It is open Wednesday – Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions and licensing. For more information call (206)386-7387, or visit the Web site at www.seattleanimalshelter.org

The Shelter needs volunteers for a variety of important tasks, including: dog walking, 9-lives, Furry 5K event planning, adoption assistants, pet therapy and more. To learn more about the variety of volunteer opportunities, go to http://www.seattle.gov/animalshelter/in-shelter.htm.

“Spaying and neutering are safe, routine surgeries that prevent animals from breeding,” says Seattle Animal Shelter Director Don Jordan. “This annual effort helps end the suffering of unwanted and homeless animals in our community by preventing unplanned litters.”

These surgeries usually cost between $120-$155 for dogs, $85-$90 for cats and $75 for rabbits. While there is no residency requirement to take advantage of this special offer, pets of Seattle residents must be currently licensed or a license can be purchased on the day of the appointment. For altered animals, a one-year license is $20 for cats/$27 for dogs, or a two-year license is $27 for cats/$37 for dogs. Vaccinations, if necessary, are $10 each.

Dr. Mary Ellen Zoulas, Director of the shelter’s Spay and Neuter Clinic, also recommends having your pet – dog, cat or rabbit – microchipped while it is at the clinic for surgery. The one-time $30 fee is a minor expense for the invaluable peace of mind provided by this permanent means of identification should your pet ever become lost or stolen.

“Spaying and neutering allows your pet to have a longer, healthier, happier life,” adds Dr. Zoulas. “It can reduce the risk of serious health problems, eliminate undesirable behaviors such as fighting and spraying, and reduce inter-dog aggression.”

Dogs and cats can be spayed or neutered at five months of age or older; rabbits can be spayed or neutered at four months of age or older. Clinic staff have been providing spay and neuter services to the rabbits adopted from the shelter for nearly 15 years, but just this year opened up their practice to any rabbit in need of spay or neuter surgery. Dr. Zoulas and her team are really excited to extend their World Spay Day promotion to include rabbits, Seattle’s third most-popular pet.

This year’s special offer of FREE spay/neuter packages is made possible by the city’s “Pet Population Control Fund,” which provides financial assistance year-round to pet owners who cannot afford the cost of spaying and neutering.

“Spay Day” is an international campaign of The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International. During the month of February, animal shelters and animal welfare agencies throughout the world join forces to promote the spaying and neutering of pets as the most effective and humane way to decrease the euthanasia of homeless animals in shelters throughout the world.

There are several ways you can celebrate Spay Day in February and throughout the year:

• Donate to the “Pet Population Control Fund” at the Seattle Animal Shelter.
• Enter the Spay Day Online Pet Photo Contest. For more information about the contest and about other Spay Day activities, go to the HSUS website: https://spaydayportal.humanesociety.org/.
• Ask friends and family to vote for your pet’s photo at the HSUS site above. You can even add a vote button for your pet on your Facebook page. Each vote costs $1, which can be donated to the Seattle Animal Shelter Spay/Neuter Clinic.
• Turn in a litter. As part of an ongoing Seattle Animal Shelter program, anyone who turns in a litter of puppies or kittens to the shelter, is eligible for a free spay or neuter for the parent animal(s). In return, the shelter guarantees the adoption of these kittens and puppies, if they are adoptable.
• Talk to your friends, neighbors and family about getting their pets spayed or neutered. Year-round the Seattle Animal Shelter’s Spay and Neuter Clinic is able to help those in need with discounted or free spay/neuter surgeries.

To learn about other clinics providing discounted or free services in King, Snohomish, Island and Skagit counties, visit http://www.paws.org/spay-day.html. Not in the area? Visit the Humane Society of the United States’ World Spay Day page at https://spaydayportal.humanesociety.org/.

For more information about Spay Day Seattle, to make a donation to the Pet Population Control Fund, or to learn more about other Seattle Animal Shelter services, call (206) 386- 7387 (PETS), or visit www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

“Each fall and winter season, thousands of pets are left out in the cold with little or no refuge,” says Seattle Animal Shelter Director Don Jordan. “Pet owners need to take extra precautions during cold weather to prevent a potential tragedy from befalling their beloved pets.”

 Jordan offers the following advice this winter:

• Dogs and cats can get frostbitten ears, noses and feet if left outside. Bring pets indoors during cold weather and take them out only when necessary.
• Pets love the smell and taste of antifreeze and even a small amount can kill them. Clean up spills at once and be alert for antifreeze on the ground or left out in open containers that have not been properly stored or disposed of.
• If your dog must remain outside for a period of time, provide an elevated dog house with clean, dry bedding and a flap over the opening to keep drafts out. The door should face away from the west or north to avoid cold winds. Consider installing a “doggie” door so your pet can seek protection from cold weather in your garage. Check water bowls to make sure they are not frozen and avoid using metal bowls as your pet’s tongue could stick to the frozen metal.
• Gently towel or blow-dry your dog or cat if he or she gets wet from rain or snow. It is important to dry and clean paws as well. This helps avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads. Remember that chemicals used to melt snow and ice on driveways and sidewalks can burn your pet, so check the paws, mouth and belly after a walk.
• Make sure your pet has a current Seattle pet license and always use a leash. When walking on snow, dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. A pet license is your best insurance your pet will be returned to you.
• Cats and kittens often nap on warm car engines and hoods. If your car was recently used, knock on the hood or honk the car horn before starting the engine.
• Help your elderly or arthritic pets when they need to go outside.
• Consider a sweater for short-coated breeds, such as Greyhounds and Chihuahuas, before taking them outside but choose wisely. Sweaters made from certain fibers don’t insulate when they get wet and can actually remove heat from an animal’s body. Avoid sweaters made of cotton; wool and some synthetics provide insulation, even when wet.
• Do not leave your pet alone in a car. It gets too cold and can quickly become a freezer, causing hypothermia and possibly death.
• Be careful of fireplaces and portable heaters; keep fireplaces screened and heaters out of reach as a pet may chew the cord or knock it over and cause a fire.
• Like people, dogs and cats are more susceptible to illnesses in the winter. Take your pet to your veterinarian if symptoms occur.

The Seattle Animal Shelter is open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions, donations and licensing. It is located at 2061 – 15th Ave. W. The phone number is (206) 386-7387 (PETS). More information at http://www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

Meet marvelous dogs, available for adoption from Seattle Animal Shelter and Old Dog Haven.  Adopt during the event and receive a dozen cupcakes from Trophy plus 10% off from Wally Pets.  Bring your own pooch for a free sample of Trophy’s dog-friendly PupCakes.  Paws 4 Training will host a dog conditioning station for dog play.  Also, great prizes are available from Paws 4 Training, Molly Moon and Trophy Cupcakes.

Adoptable dogs Bobby, Gizzie, and Jasmine will be in attendance!  See you there!

Community focused, the Interbay Urban Center’s goal is to host different events that the surrounding neighborhoods can enjoy. “We want to be known as a place where the community can get together and have a good time, which is why events like the adoptathon are so fun and important,” says Elizabeth Peck, Community Marketing Manager for the IUC.

These three organizations wish to continue to spread the word about the joys and value of adopting shelter pets and saving lives. So, if you have ever considered owning a pet or want to make room for another furry friend and companion, this is a wonderful opportunity to come out to the IUC and see these wonderful pets that are available for adoption.

Special adoption prices available at this event and at the Seattle Animal Shelter!  (Sponsored by the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation)

• Cats over 6 months: FREE*
• Two Kittens: Adopt two for the price of one*

*Licensing fees may apply.

Single kittens, dogs, puppies and critters are all regular price with adoption fees found here.

Adoption packages include:

• Initial vaccinations
• Deworming
• Feline Leukemia testing (for cats)
• Certificate for free health exam at local veterinarians
• Spay or neuter
• Microchip
• Seattle Pet License (if applicable)

SEATTLE – Pit bull owners are urged to call now to schedule appointments for August to spay/neuter their animals for a special rate of only $20. During the month of August, the Seattle Animal Shelter is offering a “Primp Your Pit” package for the first 100 pit bull terriers or pit bull mixes to make an appointment. The package includes spay/neuter surgery and a free nail trim. Owners must mention the “primp your pit” promotion when scheduling their appointments.

To schedule an appointment, call 206-386-4260.

“Spaying/neutering a pet is the most effective thing a pet parent can do to prevent unwanted litters and ensure their pet lives a long, happy life,” says Dr. MaryEllen Zoulas, the Shelter’s Spay/Neuter Clinic medical director. “Our ‘Primp Your Pit’ promotion is a fun way to educate the community and prevent unwanted litters. Plus, it’s an excellent value. We have a limited number of openings, so call now to schedule your pet’s surgery.”

Today, 35 percent of dogs and cats in U.S. households are not spayed or neutered yet the procedure is one of the most effective ways to reduce the homeless pet population. Pit bulls, in particular, end up in shelters in large numbers because of myths and negative media that impact public perceptions associated with the breed. In hopes of reducing the number of homeless pit bulls, this special promotion is sponsored by PetSmart Charities, the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation and the Seattle Animal Shelter’s Pet Population Control Fund.

About Seattle Animal Shelter’s Spay/Neuter Clinic
Established in 1982, the Seattle Animal Shelter’s Spay/Neuter Clinic is open to all pet owners regardless of income or place of residence. It is a “pit-friendly” practice and together the staff have more than 100 years of experience providing high-quality, low-cost spay/neuter procedures. The clinic performs more than 3,000 surgeries every year for dogs and cats.  The clinic is located at 2061 15th Ave. W. Surgeries are performed Monday through Friday.

About Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation
The Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation is a 501C(3) charitable organization founded in 2010 to raise funds and galvanize community support for the programs and initiatives of the Seattle Animal Shelter.

About PetSmart Charities
Established in 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates and supports programs that save the lives of homeless pets, raise awareness of companion animal welfare issues and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. The largest funder of animal-welfare efforts in North America, PetSmart Charities has provided $134 million in grants and programs benefiting animal-welfare organizations and has helped save the lives of nearly five million pets through its in-store adoption program. To learn more about PetSmart Charities, visit petsmartcharities.org or call 1-800-423-PETS (7387).

The Seattle Animal Shelter is located at 2061 15th Ave. W., one mile south of the Ballard Bridge. The shelter is open for adoptions and licensing Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. For more information, call (206)386-PETS (7387) or visit www.seattleanimalshelter.org

“Dog bites can cause serious injury to human victims, who are often children or elderly people,” says Shelter Director Don Jordan. “Dogs who bite often lose their homes and sometimes their lives. Every family who accepts the commitment that comes with bringing a dog into the home has a responsibility to neighbors, friends and children to prevent dog bites. And remember; don’t make assumptions about dogs based on their breed. Any size or kind of dog can bite.”

Shelter staff urge parents to teach their children the following tips for avoiding dog bites:

• Don’t disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.
• Stay away from dogs in cars, behind fences or on chains.
• Never pet a dog without the owner’s permission and don’t pet any dog without letting the dog see and smell you first.
• Don’t assume a dog you know is any less likely to bite than a stray or unknown dog. Most dog bites are inflicted by dogs known to the victim.
• If attacked by a dog, don’t run or scream. Stand still with your arms at your sides. Don’t make eye contact or speak to the dog. If you are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball and put your hands over your ears.

For more information on dog bite prevention, go to the following Humane Society of the United States Web site: www.nodogbites.org For more information about Seattle’s dog bite prevention efforts, or to inquire about animal adoptions and volunteer programs at the Seattle Animal Shelter, please call 386-PETS (7387).