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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Those who attend an orientation session are under no obligation to foster a dog. The orientation is just the first step in the process.  Each foster parent is provided with a foster-care manual and a “consultant” who provides advice and answers questions. The Seattle Animal Shelter pays for all pre-approved veterinary care for dogs in foster care.

“The foster-care program is a proven life-saving program,” says Seattle Animal Shelter Director Don Jordan. “Last year more than 1,000 dogs and cats were saved because individuals opened their hearts and homes to these animals. The community plays a key role in our efforts to get these animals ready for adoption,” Jordan adds. “We really rely on our volunteers and appreciate their efforts. We couldn’t do it without them.”

Jordan says the foster dog program is quite simple. Foster parents provide food and a temporary home; the Seattle Animal Shelter provides any necessary veterinary care (subsidized by the shelter’s “Help The Animals Fund”). This is another effort by the Seattle Animal Shelter to increase the number of adoptions and reduce the number of animals that are needlessly euthanized each year.

“Volunteers have told us this is a perfect project for the whole family and gives families an opportunity to teach their children about the responsibilities of having an animal without making a long-term commitment,” Jordan says. “The rewards and satisfaction are high.”

For more information, please call (206) 386-PETS (7387) or visit the shelter’s Web site at www.seattleanimalshelter.org

Those who attend an orientation session are under no obligation to foster a dog. The orientation is just the first step in the process.  Each foster parent is provided with a foster-care manual and a “consultant” who provides advice and answers questions. The Seattle Animal Shelter pays for all pre-approved veterinary care for dogs in foster care.

“The foster-care program is a proven life-saving program,” says Seattle Animal Shelter Director Don Jordan. “Last year more than 1,000 dogs and cats were saved because individuals opened their hearts and homes to these animals. The community plays a key role in our efforts to get these animals ready for adoption,” Jordan adds. “We really rely on our volunteers and appreciate their efforts. We couldn’t do it without them.”

Jordan says the foster dog program is quite simple. Foster parents provide food and a temporary home; the Seattle Animal Shelter provides any necessary veterinary care (subsidized by the shelter’s “Help The Animals Fund”). This is another effort by the Seattle Animal Shelter to increase the number of adoptions and reduce the number of animals that are needlessly euthanized each year.

“Volunteers have told us this is a perfect project for the whole family and gives families an opportunity to teach their children about the responsibilities of having an animal without making a long-term commitment,” Jordan says. “The rewards and satisfaction are high.”

For more information, please call (206) 386-PETS (7387) or visit the shelter’s Web site at www.seattleanimalshelter.org

Watch the video here.

“The shelter could not fulfill its life-saving mission without the hard work, dedication and passion of our volunteers. Our staff is so thankful to have them here, and we hope the broader community will take this week to recognize these everyday heroes,” said Shelter Executive Director Don Jordan.

The Shelter’s volunteers are responsible for saving lives everyday at the city’s only municipal animal shelter. Volunteers walk dogs, cuddle cats and socialize rabbits 365 days a year. Many volunteers even braved this past winter’s storms to make it to the shelter to fulfill their commitments. This week the Shelter will honor its volunteers with special pins that say “We Love Our Volunteers.”

Here are some of the ways volunteers saved lives in 2008:

o        Matched more than 2,700 rehabilitated pets with forever families.
o        Raised $122,000 at the Furry 5K Fun Run and Walk to benefit the “Help the Animals Fund.”
o        Cuddled cats 15,900 times.
o        Walked the dogs 27,798 miles – that’s equivalent to walking around the world plus some!
o        Played with rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters 5,000 times.
o        Took more than 8,000 photos of adoptable pets.
o        Ran dogs 14,800 miles – that’s three round trips from Seattle to New York.
o        Supported more than 50 people after the loss of a pet.
o        Hiked Tiger Mountain 20 times with Shelter dogs.
o        Saved more than 800 lives by opening their homes to foster animals.
o        Helped one dog get adopted after he spent 14 months at the shelter.

You can see volunteers in action at the Seattle Animal Shelter from noon to 6 p.m. seven days a week, 365 days a year. You may also see them running/walking dogs at Green Lake on Sunday mornings or taking Shelter dogs for runs to the Olympic Sculpture Park on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. And there are hundreds of volunteers you won’t see as they foster pets in their homes, rehabilitating and socializing them for adoption.

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.