“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.” 

This is a good opportunity to remind to all dog owners that dogs must be on a leash when not on their property or in a designated off-leash dog park. Leashing your dog is not only the law, it also adds a measure of safety for your pet, other pets, people and wildlife. Off-leash dog fines start at $54 and go up to $168 for the fourth violation.

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 website: 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 206-386-7387 (PETS) or visit www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

“Lilies, including the Easter lily, tiger lily, rubrum lily, Japanese show lily and some species of the day lily can cause kidney failure in cats,” says Don Jordan, director of the Seattle Animal Shelter. “Be aware that all parts of the lily plant are considered toxic to cats and consuming even small amounts can be life threatening.”

Within only a few hours of ingesting toxic plant material, a cat may vomit, become lethargic or lose its appetite. These signs continue and worsen as kidney damage progresses. Without prompt and proper treatment by a veterinarian, a cat may develop kidney failure in approximately 36 to 72 hours. Cat owners should remove toxic plants from their cat’s access and are encouraged to consider safer alternatives to Easter lilies such as Easter orchids, Easter lily cactus, Easter daisy or violets.

To help educate cat owners and veterinarians about the dangers of lilies and other plants, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and Cat Fanciers’ Association have developed online materials including photos of common types of dangerous lilies and a list of non-toxic plants. To download the materials, visit http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/ or http://www.cfa.org/CatCare/HouseholdHazards/ToxicPlants.aspx.

The Seattle Animal Shelter, located at 2061 – 15^th Ave. W., is open for adoptions Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.  Please call 206-386-7387 (PETS) for more information. To view animals available for adoption, visit http://www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

Some things to think about:

• Every year, thousands of baby chicks and rabbits are sold as Easter presents.
• A few months after Easter, many of these pets are surrendered or abandoned and end up looking for a new home.
• Seattle Animal Shelter always has rabbits available for adoption, and we often have chickens too!
• Really want a baby bunny? Consider becoming a foster parent! Seattle Animal Shelter places baby bunnies in foster homes until they are old enough to be spayed or neutered and find their forever family.
• Rabbits live an average of 7 to 10 years.
• When your adorable baby bunny suddenly turns into a terrible teen they may show aggression, become territorial, and develop bad litter box habits – most of these issues can be fixed by spaying and neutering your pet rabbit.
• Seattle Animal Shelter offers low-cost spay and neuter services for rabbits.
• Is anyone in your family allergic to animals with fur or have seasonal allergies/hay fever? If so, a rabbit may not be the best pet for you. Rabbits need to eat hay on a daily basis, which can trigger allergies in some people.
• Chickens live an average of 10 to 15 years.
• Hens only lay eggs regularly until they are 2-3 years old, after that it tapers off.
• Did you know roosters are not permitted to be kept within Seattle city limits? Half of all the chicks sold at Easter will grow up to be roosters.
• The number of adoptive homes for roosters is very, very low since many cities do not allow roosters. Please consider this when buying unsexed chicks.

“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.

On Saturday, May 12, an emaciated dog was found in the 9400 block of 26th Avenue Southwest. The badly emaciated dog was immediately rushed to a veterinary clinic but did not survive.

Details of where the dog had been for the last 30 days are unknown. If you recognize the dog and have seen him or know where he has been over the past several weeks please call Seattle Animal Shelter Enforcement Supervisor Ann Graves at (206)386-4288. The case number is 5319. Any information about the dog’s whereabouts is vital to helping determine the circumstances around the dog’s condition.

“To intentionally starve an animal that relies solely on you for its care is a truly heinous act,” said Dan Paul, Washington state director for The Humane Society of the United States. “Americans have no tolerance for this type of abuse against the creatures who share our world.”

Animal cruelty is a Class C felony punishable by 5 years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both.

The Seattle Animal Shelter is available for field operations seven days per week, 9:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The phone number is (206) 386-PETS(7387).

PHOTO AVAILABLE HERE
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“This week we have already had to rescue a pet from a potentially dangerous heat-related situation. Even when we have temperatures in the 70s, the inside of a car left in the sun can reach a fatal 130 degrees in a matter of minutes. When temperatures get up in the 80s or higher, it’s advisable to just avoid leaving your pets in a car if at all possible. It’s not worth the risk,” says Shelter Director Don Jordan.

He reminds pet owners that with the movement of the sun, cars originally left in the shade can soon be in direct sunlight. If you must travel with your pet, Jordan advises carrying water for your pet, and avoiding trips where you have to leave the pet in the car.

Jordan offers the following tips for protecting pets during hot weather:

• Never leave your animal chained or penned up directly in sunlight. Provide a shady area for retreat, such as a dog house, porch or shady tree, and always provide cool water.
• If you leave animals indoors, open the windows, keep a fan running, provide plenty of water, and if possible, leave them in a cool location.
• Never leave dogs or cats unattended in a closed, locked car. Animals do not perspire like humans; they cool themselves by panting and vinyl seats in vehicles can prevent them from perspiring through their paws.
• Avoid overexerting your animal in hot weather. Moderate exercise is fine, but other factors such as obesity or old age, can predispose an animal to the condition.

Pet owners can be held criminally liable for committing cruelty to animals if a pet dies, or is found suffering from heat prostration. If you see an animal that may be in need of assistance, or if you have questions, contact Seattle Animal Shelter at (206) 386-7387, seven days a week, 9:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

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

There is still time for pet owners to have their female cats spayed before kitten season gets into full swing. Spring is the season when shelters traditionally are overwhelmed with unwanted litters of kittens. In hopes of reducing the number of homeless cats, the shelter is extending this special promotion sponsored by PetSmart Charities and the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation.

Spaying and neutering are the most effective ways to reduce the homeless pet population. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, spaying a female cat before her first heat cycle is actually beneficial, rather than waiting until she’s gone through one heat cycle. Spaying and neutering is safe for kittens as young as eight weeks old. The procedure is known to improve the health of the pet, including reducing the risk of certain reproductive cancers and infections.

“Female cats can have as many as three litters a year and kittens can breed as young as four months old. Our goal is to bring in female cats before they go into heat and become pregnant. There is still time for pet owners to have their female cats spayed at this special reduced rate,” says Dr. MaryEllen Zoulas, the Shelter’s Spay/Neuter Clinic medical director. “

Established in 1982, the Seattle Animal Shelter’s Spay/Neuter Clinic is open to all pet owners regardless of income or place of residence. The clinic performs 3,000 low-cost, high-quality surgeries every year for dogs and cats. The clinic is located at 2061 15th Ave. W. Surgeries are performed Monday through Friday. For more information, call (206)386-PETS (7387) or visit www.seattleanimalshelter.org
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Seattle Animal Shelter
Offers “Beat the Heat” Reduced Rate for Spaying Female Cats

If you have an unspayed female cat, now is the time to schedule her surgery at the Seattle Animal Shelter Spay/Neuter Clinic. Through March 9, the Animal Shelter is offering a “Beat the Heat” package for female cats – or kittens as young as eight weeks old.*

The package includes spay surgery, rabies vaccination, FvRCP vaccination and a microchip (if desired), for a special rate of $20.

Pass the word to friends, family, neighbors – you don’t have to live in Seattle to take advantage of this special offer. Schedule your appointment TODAY, call (206)386-4260.

Made possible by grants from the PetSmart Charities and the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation, the goal is to spay female cats before they go into heat and to prevent the birth of unwanted litters of kittens in the spring.

*Spaying and neutering is safe for kittens as young as eight weeks old, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Spaying a female cat before her first cycle is actually beneficial and is known to improve the health of the pet, including reducing the risk of certain reproductive cancers and infections.