The Scoop Blog Seattle Animal Shelter

The Scoop

Seattle Animal Shelter news and events

March is “Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month”

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March is Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month, and the Seattle Animal Shelter would like to help you get to know these cool little critters!

Guinea pigs are adorable; what can we say? They are also full of personality and require proper care to keep them healthy and happy. Is a guinea pig the right fit for your family?

The average lifespan for guinea pig is six to eight years, but many have been known to live well past that range. They need a spacious, flat-bottomed enclosure, with appropriate bedding to keep them active, clean and happy. Guinea pigs are not as flexible or acrobatic as a hamster and cannot roll in a ball or exercise on a wheel, so they need plenty of playtime outside of their enclosure to keep them fit. Guinea pigs are often wiggly, so they make great pets for older children who have mastered proper handling techniques.

Guinea pigs love their fruits and vegetables, and if you enjoy making salads, guinea pigs will be glad to share with you! (Just make sure to do your research on piggy-appropriate foods.) As with dogs and cats, guinea pigs need to see a vet yearly for a check-up. Catching any health issues early is important! Do your research first, however, as not all veterinarians see “pocket pets.”

Friends make life better, and in the guinea pig world this is no exception. Guinea pigs are gregarious creatures and do best having a friend or two living with them. A guinea pig buddy keeps them active, busy and healthy. Plus, what is cuter than one guinea pig?  Two guinea pigs!

Owning a guinea pig requires a longtime commitment, but they will pay you back with their love, antics, “wheeks” and snuggles. Make sure to do your research before bringing home any new pet.

Last year the Seattle Animal Shelter adopted 83 guinea pigs to new, loving, forever homes. We applaud these families for adopting a rescued guinea pig! Thank you!

Some guinea pig tidbits!

  • Guinea pigs are also known as “cavies.”
  • They are vocal animals. They will “wheek,” chatter and whistle, especially at meal time!
  • Hay and water always need to be available to guinea pigs. Munching on hay keeps their digestive system moving and helps keep their teeth trimmed.
  • A very happy guinea pig might spring into the air. This is called “popcorning.”

Pet license fee changes in January 2019

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Fee changes enacted by the City of Seattle went into effect on Jan. 1, 2019.

License fees:

Type One-Year Two-Year
Cat–Altered* $26 $52
Cat–Unaltered $79 $158
Dog–Altered* $37 $74
Dog–Unaltered $105 $210
Goat* $21 $42
Pig, initial one-year $126 N/A
Pig, renewal $32 N/A
Late fee penalty $30 N/A

*Gold/FLASH cardholders receive 50 percent off the license fee for altered animals only.

A pet license is the best way to ensure that, should your pet become lost, you are reunited as quickly as possible. A license is also required for dogs, cats, miniature goats and potbellied pigs in the Seattle city limits. Not having a pet license could lead to a fine of $125 per unlicensed pet.

To purchase or renew your pet’s license, go to http://www.seattle.gov/animal-shelter/license or call 206-386-4262.

Seattle Animal Shelter offers 10 tips for Thanksgiving pet safety

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How to keep the feast on the table and off the floor and more

Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for feasts and gatherings with family and friends, but it can also be a stressful time for family pets. The Seattle Animal Shelter is sharing its top 10 tips to remind pet owners to take proper precautions and make sure they are considering their animals’ safety when getting ready for and enjoying the holiday.

  1. No table scraps. Don’t give your pets table scraps, either intentionally or by accident. This means making sure your friends and family know they should not “share” their meal with your dog or cat.
  2. Keep the brine away from your pet. Dogs and cats will smell and be interested in the salty solution left behind when you remove the turkey from the brine. If they lap it up, they risk salt toxicosis, which can result in serious issues like brain swelling.
  3. Some foods are absolutely off-limits for your dog or cat. While it’s okay for your dog or cat to have a small bite of cooked turkey or mashed potato, or even a lick of pumpkin, it’s best to stick to their normal food. Never give these common Thanksgiving ingredients to your pet:
    • Turkey bones, turkey skin or raw turkey.
    • Bread dough.
    • Raw batter (cake or cookie).
    • Onions (raw or cooked).
    • Garlic.
    • Chocolate.
    • Walnuts and macadamia nuts.
    • Mushrooms.
    • Nutmeg.
    • Sage or other herbs that contain essential oils. Cats are especially sensitive.
  4. Throw bones, corn cobs and other hazardous food items in outdoor compost/trash bins. You might think throwing that turkey carcass in the cabinet trash bin is enough to keep it away from your pet, but dogs and cats can find their way in with enough motivation. Take away the temptation by disposing of those harmful items in outdoor bins.
  5. Supervise your pets around holiday decorations. Never leave your pet alone in an area with a lit candle. Also, ingestion of certain types of flowers can cause stomach upset in dogs and cats, and decorations like pine cones and needles could cause intestinal blockage.
  6. Give pets a safe space to retreat to. Some pets get nervous or overexcited around strangers or crowds, and Thanksgiving might mean higher-than-normal noises and activity for your pet. Consider putting your pet in another room or in his or her crate with a favorite toy to help alleviate potential stress.
  7. Keep an eye on exits and make sure gates are latched. With guests coming and going, and people pausing at the door for greetings and goodbyes, opportunity is created for your pet to dart out. Make sure to watch your pets when doors are opened, and remind guests not to let your pets out.
  8. Make sure your pet’s license and microchip information are up to date. Despite best intentions, sometimes pets do get lost. Before Thanksgiving, ensure your pet’s license and microchip information are up to date so you can be reunited if someone finds your lost pet. (Seattle residents can manage their pet license information at http://www.seattle.gov/animal-shelter/license.)
  9. Don’t leave your pet alone in a vehicle. Just like during hot summer weather, you should not leave an animal in a car during cold fall and winter weather. If you are going to a Thanksgiving gathering where you pet is not welcome, leave your pet at home.
  10. Have emergency phone numbers available. Just in case your pet eats something it shouldn’t or an accident occurs, have emergency phone numbers handy. Know where the closest emergency veterinarian is located. If you pet experiences signs of distress, such as change in behavior, pain, vomiting or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian immediately.

“Our pets are a big part of our lives, and we want to celebrate the holidays with them,” said Seattle Animal Shelter Director Ann Graves. “We hope these tips help pet owners keep their animals close but safe during the Thanksgiving holiday. Ultimately, we want everyone – and their pets – to enjoy the day.”

The Seattle Animal Shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W., is open from 1-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday for adoptions and licensing. The shelter will be closed on Thursday and Friday (Thanksgiving and the day after) for city-observed holidays. For more information, call 206-386-PETS (7387) or visit http://www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

Creeptacular returns to Seattle Animal Shelter Oct. 6

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Meet and greet furry, scaly and feathered critters, photo booth and more

Creeptacular returns to Seattle Animal Shelter on Saturday, Oct. 6, as the shelter dons spooky decorations and invites the public to meet and greet furry, scaly and feathered critters. From 1-4 p.m., visitors to this free, kid- and adult-friendly experience can pet and feed guinea pigs, come to face to face with lizards and delight in the antics of turtles and mice.

“We’re thrilled to host Creeptacular for a second year to bring attention to adoptable animals beyond cats and dogs,” said Ann Graves, Seattle Animal Shelter executive director. “Critters come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, with different personalities and characteristics and requiring specific care. We would love to introduce you to our critters – they may be the perfect animal for your family.”

Shelter staff and volunteers, as well as representatives from the Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society, All Parrot Rescue and Washington Ferret Rescue, will be on hand to share information about critter care. Attendees can also capture the day’s festivities in the Creeptacular photo booth.

Critters – as well as cats and dogs – will be available for adoption all day.

The Seattle Animal Shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W., is open from 1-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday for adoptions and licensing. For more information, call 206-386-PETS (7387) or visit http://www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

Full cat services resume at Seattle Animal Shelter

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A big thank you goes out to our customers and the community for their patience while we got our cat wards back to normal. We’re back to full services for all cats but could use your help!

  • Come and adopt! We have cats of all shapes, sizes and ages available for adoption. Visit our website or come down to meet them.
  • Have you found a cat? If you’re a Seattle resident and you found a roaming cat, we recommend leaving that cat alone if they are healthy. Since there is no leash law for cats, most friendly roaming altered cats are simply owned indoor/outdoor cats. If you find a cat that is injured or sick, we encourage you to call us at 206-386-7387 to file a found report and determine if the cat should go directly to a veterinarian.

The Seattle Animal Shelter is located at 2061 15th Ave. W., Seattle, We’re open 1-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. More information is available online at http://www.seattleanimalshelter.org or by calling 206-386-PETS (7387).

Seattle City Hall becomes “Kitty Hall” … and “Bunny Hall” for the day

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Three baby bunnies “crash” the feline-focused event

While the kittens were the main attraction at Kitty Hall, this year’s event brought party crashers – in the form of three adorable baby bunnies. For the fifth straight year, Seattle City Hall became “Kitty Hall” for the day, renamed in a proclamation by Mayor Jenny Durkan. The Kitty Hall event highlighted the Seattle Animal Shelter’s adoptable cats and its foster program, with eight kittens on hand rotating through a tent for the public to meet and play with. This year, the shelter surprised eventgoers with a second tent and the opportunity to also cuddle bunnies.

“While Kitty Hall will always be first and foremost about the cats and kittens, we happened to have these bunnies in our care and thought this was a great opportunity to introduce the Kitty Hall audience to our critter program,” said Ann Graves, Seattle Animal Shelter executive director. “When people think of adoptable animals, dogs and cats are usually the animals that come to mind. We also want the community to be aware of the bunnies, guinea pigs, birds, mice, reptiles and other critters that we place in forever homes, too.”

During the Kitty Hall event, three kittens visited Mayor Durkan in her office before she arrived to tour Kitty Hall, read the Kitty Hall proclamation and great attendees. Shelter staff accepted seven adoption applications for kittens at the event, hosted a photo booth for eager kitten cuddlers and offered attendees information about pet licensing, shelter programs and services and other adoptable animals.

Attendees were also invited to vote in the Kitty Council election, which featured three adult cats campaigning to be the “Kitty Council president.” Some of the cats’ “platforms” included advocating for spaying and neutering, pet licenses for cats and “adopt, don’t shop.” Although votes are still coming in through the online election platform, with almost 57 percent of the votes so far, Samantha, a 15-year-old domestic shorthair mix, is emerging as the new Kitty Council president.

The Mayor’s Kitty Hall proclamation is available here: http://bit.ly/kittyhall2018proclamation

Photos of the event are available here: http://bit.ly/kittyhall2018photos

If you’re looking for your photo booth images, you can download them here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/seattleanimal/5kaU5i

The Seattle Animal Shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W., is open 1-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday for adoptions and licensing. For more information, call 206-386-PETS (7387) or visit http://www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

Limited cat services at Seattle Animal Shelter

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Update 9/12/18: We’re back to full cat services! See this blog post for an update.

Yikes! We have had some unexpected issues in our cat wards, so we have moved as many of our cats to foster as possible. While this means that you won’t be able to meet adoptable cats at the shelter right now, there are many cats and kittens in foster homes waiting to be adopted! This also means we are temporarily limited in our services for cats. Check out what this means for you:

  • All currently adoptable cats are in foster homes. Visit our website to learn about our foster cats and call 206-684-0685 to schedule a meet.
  • Have you found a cat? If you’re a Seattle resident and you found a roaming cat, we recommend leaving that cat alone if it is healthy. Since there is no leash law for cats, most friendly, roaming, altered cats are simply owned indoor/outdoor cats. If you find a cat that is injured or sick, we encourage you to call us at 206-386-7387 to file a found report and determine if the cat should go directly to a veterinarian.
  • Do you need to surrender an animal to us? Unfortunately, we’re not able to accept owner-surrendered cats currently. Seattle residents wishing to surrender cats are asked to keep them until we can begin accepting surrenders by appointment.

Until we can accept surrendered cats, several partner agencies in the area may be able to help, on a space-available basis. Before bringing a cat to any of these agencies, please call or email to ensure they will be able to accept your surrender.

As we have more information, we’ll update it here, so please check back.

Information about the Seattle Animal Shelter is available online at http://www.seattleanimalshelter.org or by calling 206-386-PETS (7387).

Want to cuddle a kitten? Come to “Kitty Hall” on Thursday, Aug. 30

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City Hall to become “Kitty Hall” for the day

Fifth annual Kitty Hall event return to raise awareness and encourage cat adoptions

CORRECTED: This post originally listed the event ending at 1:30 p.m. This has been updated to 1 p.m.

The kittens are back! The fifth annual Kitty Hall returns to Seattle on Thursday, Aug. 30. Mayor Jenny Durkan will issue a proclamation renaming City Hall as “Kitty Hall” for the day, and the public is invited to meet, greet and, of course, cuddle kittens.

WHAT: Seattle Animal Shelter’s Fifth Annual Kitty Hall
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 30, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
WHERE: Seattle Kitty Hall’s Bertha Knight Landes Room, 600 Fourth Ave.

Seattle Animal Shelter, which hosts the Kitty Hall event, will provide at least two tents where the public can spend a couple of minutes with roaming kittens. Also returning this year is the “Kitty Council,” which features adoptable adult cats vying to be named the “Kitty Council president.” The event will include a kitten photo booth and educational displays about the Seattle Animal Shelter and its programs, and Seattle residents will be able to purchase pet licenses for their cats and dogs.

“The Seattle Animal Shelter provides some amazing services for both the people of Seattle and all of their furry friends,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan. “Whether you’re looking to find your lost pet, purchase or renew a pet license or adopt a new pet for your family, the Seattle Animal Shelter is there for you. We are always looking for ways to make sure people are aware of the great work the shelter is doing in Seattle, and Kitty Hall is the PURR-fect opportunity to bring our pet-loving community together – and hopefully find good homes for some adorable kittens.”

Kitty Hall highlights the shelter’s foster care program and promotes shelter cat adoptions. Most of the kittens and the cats at Monday’s event will be available for adoption, and potential adopters at Kitty Hall can place “first choice” holds on their favorite kitten or cat.

“Kitty Hall is an amazing way for the Seattle Animal Shelter to highlight our adoptable kittens and cats and raise awareness about the lifesaving work that we do,” said Ann Graves, Seattle Animal Shelter executive director. “But we also love this event because of the joy it creates. It’s a family-friendly place where you can cuddle kittens – what’s not to love?”

For cat-lovers who are unable to attend Kitty Hall in person, online voting is available for the Kitty Council President election. Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/kittyhall2018 to cast an online ballot. The Seattle Animal Shelter will also be live streaming parts of the event on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SeattleAnimalShelter/.

Seattle Animal Shelter created the first Kitty Hall in 2014. At least nine other cities and rescue organizations across the United States have since adopted the idea for their own Kitty Hall events.

The Seattle Animal Shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W., is open 1-6 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday for adoptions and licensing. For more information, call 206-386-PETS (7387) or visit http://www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

Air quality alert! Remember to protect your pets.

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One of the ways to protect your pet when air quality is bad: Keep your windows closed.

With the poor air quality we are experiencing in our region, it is important to take steps to protect ourselves and our families—including our pets. Just as extreme temperatures and other weather or environmental conditions impact people, our pets are impacted, too. The risk is even greater for animals with respiratory or cardiovascular disease, animals with flat faces (brachycephalic), like pugs, bulldogs and Persian cats, and animals that are very old or very young. Birds (e.g., parrots, cockatiels, parakeets) are particularly susceptible.

Here are some tips to help you protect your pets:

  • Keep them inside with doors and windows closed.
  • Let dogs and cats outside only for potty breaks.
  • Avoid intense outdoor exercise—there are lots of indoor activities for dogs when they can’t go for normal walks or play time outside.
  • For homes without air conditioning, utilize other cooling methods for animals.
    • Make sure fresh water is available at all times.
    • Provide fresh fruits and vegetables for pets such as birds, rabbits and guinea pigs.
    • Utilize ceiling or portable fans.
    • Offer your pet frozen treats like DIY popsicles.
    • When possible, keep animals in the cooler areas of the home.
  • If you have chickens and/or miniature goats:
    • If possible, use feed and bedding that produce less dust.
    • Make sure their water is fresh and clean at all times.
    • Be extra diligent in keeping pens and coops clean—this will help reduce dust and other irritant.s

Signs of respiratory distress include:

  • Unusual coughing, sneezing, gagging.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Unusual discharge or watering from eyes or nose.
  • Open mouthed breathing.
  • Lethargy or weakness.
  • Reduced appetite.

If you think your pet(s) may be suffering from the effects of poor air quality, they should be seen by a veterinarian right away. Take care of yourself and your pets—they count on you!

SAS X-ray suite dedicated to retired K-9 Ziva

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Dr. Jennifer Bennett, SAS medical director, discusses the positive impacts the X-ray equipment will make on animal care.
Photo: Flore Yuan

Each year, the Seattle Animal Shelter cares for thousands of animals who come to us in need for everything from spay and neuter surgery to prevent unplanned litters to those who are most in need of help, compassion, hope and a new forever family. Thanks to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation and its generous donors, we have a new tool in our belt to more quickly diagnose and treat animals that come under our care.

Retired K-9 Ziva with her partner, Officer Mark Wong, and SPD Chief Carmen Best.
Photo: Flore Yuan

In 2017, through generous donations at its annual fundraising gala, SASF granted over $76,000 for new X-ray equipment to be installed and used at SAS. For the first time in our 46-year history, we are able to X-ray animals that are sick, injured and victims of animal cruelty – on-site and with less stress on them. As a result, we can more quickly diagnose issues and provide treatment.

On July 16, 2018, SASF hosted an event to unveil the new equipment, which is dedicated to retired Seattle Police Department K-9 Ziva for her outstanding service to SAS, SASF and our community. In addition to her years of service to our community, Ziva and her partner officer Mark Wong have raised tens of thousands of dollars in support of SASF and our work at SAS. It is with sincere gratitude that this equipment that will help so many animals is dedicated to Seattle’s own amazing K-9 Ziva. Among our honored guests at the unveiling event were many of our generous donors, volunteers, staff from SPD and its K-9 unit and, to our delight, SPD Chief Carmen Best.

K-9 Ziva
Photo: Flore Yuan

In 2011, the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation was formed to further support the mission and work of SAS. Since then, SASF has been raising money and providing grants for everything from building improvements to equipment and supplies for animals in our shelter and in our community and so much more.

The Seattle Animal Shelter has a history of being a progressive municipal agency thanks to the dedication of our staff, volunteers and the support of our community. With the additional support of and in partnership with SASF, we are able to continue to strive for the very best of care for our animals.

For more information about the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation, visit https://seattleanimalshelterfoundation.org.

For more information about the SPD K-9 unit and Ziva, visit https://www.seattle.gov/police/about-us/about-policing/k9.

For more information about Seattle retired K-9s, visit http://www.retiredpolicedogs.com.

And always remember your purchase of a Seattle pet license is how you can protect your pet while supporting SAS’ lifesaving work. Learn more at http://www.seattle.gov/animal-shelter/license.