“During the winter season, thousands of dogs are left out in the cold and rain with little or no refuge,” says Animal Shelter Director Don Jordan. “Although we do not advocate leaving dogs to live outside, the reality is some dog owners do not allow their dogs inside their homes. We hope to gather as many doghouses and dog igloos as possible, prevent them from ending up in landfills as part of a homeowner’s fall clean-up, and provide more needy pet owners with protection for their dogs from Seattle’s rain and cold.”

New and used doghouses and dog igloos will be accepted through the winter months. The shelter will not accept any item that is either badly soiled or in a state of disrepair. Doghouses and igloos will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis to anyone in need. The Shelter will also accept airline animal carriers/crates of various sizes, if they are in outstanding condition.

The shelter will also accept monetary donations that can be designated for buying doghouses. Make checks out to the shelter’s “Help the Animals Fund” and be sure to write “doghouse fund” in the memo section. Last year, $1,000 was raised to buy doghouses for those in need.

The shelter is located at 2061 – 15th Ave. W., one mile south of the Ballard Bridge. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for licensing. For more information, call (206)386-PETS (7387) or visit the website at www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

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During this week, the Seattle shelter will distribute free cat and dog food to pet owners in need. With a limit of two bags per household, the food will be distributed at the shelter on a first-come-first-served basis, while supplies last. The food was donated by Whole Foods as part of its community giving program.

“We are proud to provide Seattle with a variety of services and community programs,” says Shelter Director Don Jordan. “We invite anyone interested in animal welfare to visit the shelter during the week of Nov. 1. (Remember we’re closed on Mondays.) Take this opportunity to visit with the animals, meet the staff and volunteers, and learn how you can help the animals. Your involvement will go a long way in saving animals’ lives.”

Jordan noted there are good reasons for adopting from shelters. “First, you give a homeless animal a second chance in life and you can choose from an amazing variety, from mixed breeds to purebreds. Second, if you’re adopting an adult animal, you already know the animal’s size, looks and temperament. Finally, by adopting from a shelter, you help reduce the suffering caused by the country’s tremendous pet overpopulation problem.”

Seattle’s shelter also appreciates its volunteers. “Volunteers perform many important tasks, including fostering cats and dogs, dog walking and training, promoting off-site adoptions, fundraising and marketing the animal shelter,” Jordan says. “Without our tireless volunteers, we would not be able to provide the many services we offer the community. Our volunteers are indispensable.”

The Seattle Animal Shelter provides services for animals and people alike: controlling dogs running at large, rescuing injured animals, returning lost pets to their owners, and adopting animals into new, loving homes. Shelter staff also offers personal guidance with animal-related issues or concerns.

Here are ways Seattleites can help the Seattle Animal Shelter:

· Donate pet supplies, such as new toys, treats, and blankets for animals at the shelter or in foster care.

· Spread the word about the importance of responsible pet ownership, including spaying and neutering.

· Become a part of the shelter’s volunteer program.

· Report animal abuse.

· Choose your next pet from among the many animals being cared for at the Seattle Animal Shelter.

For more information about the Seattle Animal Shelter or to inquire about volunteer opportunities go to www.seattleanimalshelter.org or call (206) 386-PETS (7387). The Shelter is open Tuesday thru Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for licensing, and noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions. It is located at 2061 – 15th Ave. W.

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The Furry 5K is volunteer-driven and is the shelter’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Last year’s event raised $122,000 for the Help the Animals Fund with more than 2,800 runners/walkers, 1,500 dogs and one cat participating.

The fund provides for the veterinary care of the shelter’s sick and injured animals to rehabilitate them for adoption. The shelter takes in more than 6,500 strays and owner-surrendered animals each year. For the last decade the shelter has saved almost every adoptable pet coming through its doors. Last year the shelter’s veterinary costs totaled nearly $100,000. The fund also helps low-income and elderly pet owners pay for spaying and neutering their pets.

Edgar was a shelter dog and was adopted by the Nickels family in 2007.

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
(Run/walk begins promptly at 10 a.m.)

Date: Sunday, June 7, 2009

Place: Seward Park
5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S.
(Start line is inside the park north of the park entrance)

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Register online at www.Furry5K.com by midnight, June 4. Race fees are $25 plus processing fee. Day of race registration fee is $30. Participants can register on the day of the race between 8:15 and 9:45 a.m. at the park. Timed runners must be registered by 9:30 a.m.

“Community support is critical to our efforts to rehabilitate sick and injured animals,” said Shelter Director Don Jordan. “The Furry 5K is a great opportunity to make a big difference in the lives of needy animals in our city, and it’s a fun outdoor activity for the whole family, including your family pet.”

Shelter staff anticipates this year’s Furry 5K run/walk will draw more than 3,000 people and 1,500 pets – mostly dogs, but last year one cat participated. Following the race, there will be festive music, awards and a chance to visit the pet expo vendor area.

The Help the Animals Fund was created in 1977 to pay for life-saving veterinary care for sick, injured and abused animals at the Seattle shelter. Many of these animals would have otherwise been euthanized. 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 $100,000 in veterinary bills. The Seattle Animal Shelter cares for approximately 7,000 stray and owner-surrendered animals each year.

The Shelter is located at 2061 15th Ave. W., about a mile south of the Ballard Bridge. It is open seven days a week from noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions, and from 9 a.m. for licensing. For more information call (206)386-PETS (7387), or visit the Web site at www.seattleanimalshelter.org

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“All of us at the shelter are so grateful for the outpouring of generosity from the community. People responded to our request for donations of blankets, towels, and dog and cat toys, most of which were destroyed in the fire. With these generous donations, we can continue providing quality care to all of our animals,” said Jordan.

Jordan singled out Animal Critical Care and Emergency Services and KOMO TV’s “Problem Solvers” for going the extra mile. Animal Critical Care responded immediately and took in the small critters that had been housed near the clothes dryer as a precautionary measure and to monitor their condition. They are all healthy and are now in foster care. The clinic is donating all of its veterinary services and also made a donation of dog food to the shelter’s foster dog program.

KOMO TV’s “Problem Solvers” brought in donations of blankets and is working with the shelter in hopes of finding a donor for a new commercial dryer.

Fire broke out in the clothes dryer in the shelter’s food preparation area on Sunday afternoon. No personnel or animals were injured, but the dryer was destroyed as well as most of the supplies stored in the area. The shelter was closed for adoptions on Monday while the shelter was being cleaned. The shelter resumed normal hours on Tuesday.

The Seattle Animal Shelter is open every day, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for licensing, and noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions. It is located at 2061 – 15th Ave. W. The phone number is (206)386-PETS(7387). Animals available for adoption can be viewed online at http://www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

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“We’re fortunate that there were no injuries. We did, however, lose our commercial dryer and all of the supplies in the laundry room and would greatly appreciate donations of blankets, towels and cat and dog toys,” said Shelter Director Don Jordan.

The shelter will be closed for adoptions and licensing today, while the shelter is being cleaned. People retrieving their pets or dropping off donations may come to the shelter between noon and 6 p.m. Just use the phone at the front door. Shelter telephones and administrative offices are all open for business. Also, enforcement officers will be out in the field on their usual patrols.

The Seattle Animal Shelter’s usual hours are every day, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for licensing, and noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions. It is located at 2061 – 15th Ave. W. The phone number is (206)386-PETS(7387). Animals available for adoption can be viewed online at http://www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

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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. Many of these animals would have otherwise been euthanized..   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 $100,000 in veterinary bills.

“The Furry 5K has been a wonderful event for the orphaned animals of the Seattle Animal Shelter. Because of the Furry 5K, we have been able to provide veterinary care to thousands of orphaned animals and have increased animal adoptions by 68 percent over the last three years,” said Shelter Director Don Jordan.

Shelter staff anticipates that this year’s Furry 5K run/walk 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 festive music, awards and the chance for participants to visit the Pet Expo 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 7,000 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 seven days a week from noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions, and from 9 a.m. for licensing. For more information call (206)386-7387, or visit the Web site at www.seattleanimalshelter.org

“Working with dogs is the most fulfilling job I have ever had. My clients are among the most caring and giving people I know, and I wanted to see if I could leverage our shared love of dogs into a way of helping more animals in need,” said Rick Beaubelle, owner of the Seattle Canine Club.

The event is run entirely by volunteers and donations, and the evening includes heartfelt stories, refreshments, and a silent auction of products from local businesses. Last year’s auction raised more than $7,000 for the “Help the Animals Fund.” Admission is by suggested donation of $10. Donations are tax deductible. 

“We are so grateful that Rick has chosen to support the ‘Help the Animals Fund.’  Last year was great fun bidding on items and socializing with fellow animal lovers.  Rick and his team at Seattle Canine Club are deeply committed to the animals of Seattle,” said Don Jordan, Seattle Animal Shelter executive director.

The “Help the Animals Fund” was created in 1977 to provide veterinary care for sick, injured and abused animals at the Seattle Animal Shelter. Last year alone, the Fund paid for more than $98,000 worth of veterinary bills. The Shelter cares for approximately 7,000 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.  

Animals are available for adoption seven days a week from noon to 6 p.m. For more information about the Seattle Animal Shelter, call (206)386-PETS (7387), visit the shelter’s Web site at www.seattleanimalshelter.org or visit the shelter at 2061 – 15th Ave. W., one mile south of the Ballard Bridge.

Each year the Seattle Animal Shelter participates in this national observance as part of its aggressive outreach campaign to educate the community about animal cruelty and to encourage the public to report animal abuse.

A good samaritan found Santi with matted fur, a limp and sores.  After examining Santi, the veterinarian had to shave off large mats of fur only to find that the sores were actually gaping wounds needing immediate attention. Santi received life-saving medical care and healed quickly, all covered by the “Help the Animals Fund.” Shelter volunteers taught her how to walk on a leash and she was adopted into a loving forever home.

“The Seattle Animal Shelter has always taken animal abuse and welfare very seriously,” says Shelter Director Don Jordan. “Educating the public about preventing and reporting abuse is a high priority for our staff and volunteers. The more knowledge the community has, the better chance we have to improve the lives of animals in our community.”

Cruelty can range from simple neglect — failure to provide food, water, shelter or necessary medical care, to intentional abuse, torture or death. Violence against animals may also be part of a pattern of violence against people.

“We realize that a large number of cruelty cases go unreported” says Jordan. “We offer the following advice to make life more humane for the animals in our community:”

·        If you witness or hear about a possible case of animal cruelty, report it to your local humane organization, animal control agency or call your local police.

·        Learn about animal-friendly legislation pending in the state of Washington. You can actively help in passing laws by writing letters of support to your lawmakers. The advocacy center at www.aspca.org allows you to automatically send personal letters to state or federal officials.

·        Teach future generations to respect animal life. Make sure schools in your area include humane education as part of their curriculum or lesson plans. Contact the Seattle Animal Shelter to arrange for a staff representative to speak to your class or contact the ASPCA at education@aspca.org for classroom resources.

·        Adopt a pet from your local animal shelter. You can view pictures of available animals at www.petfinder.com. Local shelter listings can also be found under “Humane Societies” or “Animal Shelters” in the Yellow Pages.

To report animal abuse, please call (206)386-PETS (7387).  Callers can request confidentiality when filing a complaint.

To volunteer with the Seattle Animal Shelter or be involved in its anti-cruelty campaign, call (206) 615-0820 for more information.

To make a donation to the “Help the Animals Fund” to save animals like Santi, please make your check payable to HTAF and send to Seattle Animal Shelter, 2061 15^th Ave W., Seattle, WA  98119 or make a donation on-line at www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

“This is the time of year when many people are spring cleaning and clearing out unused items from their garages and basements. If you have a dog igloo that you no longer need, we hope you’ll consider donating to ‘Habitat for Hounds.’ With the rainy season upon us, we would like to prevent dog igloos from ending up in the landfill and provide as many dog shelters as possible to needy pet owners so they will be able to provide protection for their dogs all year,” says Seattle Animal Shelter Director Don Jordan.

The Seattle Animal Shelter will accept new and used dog igloos through April 30, 2009. The shelter reserves the right to refuse any item that is either badly soiled or in a state of disrepair. Dog igloos will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis to anyone who is in need.

“Although we do not advocate leaving dogs to live outside, the reality is that people are losing their homes and ending up in housing situations which now force them to keep their dogs outside.  Dog igloos are useful year-round, providing shade from the sun and protection from the rain,” adds Jordan.

The shelter is located at 2061 – 15^th Ave. W., one mile south of the Ballard Bridge. It’s open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for licensing, and noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions. For more information, call (206)386-PETS (7386) or visit the website at www.seattleanimalshelter.org.