Category: Events

Furry 5K 2023 Raises Over $118,000 for Animals in Need

Posted on by JenniferW JuliaL

The 24th annual Furry 5K is in the books! The weather cooperated and was perfect for running, walking, strolling, and petting dogs. Over 1,300 amazing humans registered for the race and Seward Park was a sea of teal with the adorable face of Ezzie everywhere. 

Seattle Furry 5K 20236

Tracy Taylor-Turner, Vice President of the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation, served once again as the event’s MC and knocked it out of the park. The Seattle Animal Shelter Director Esteban Rodriguez gave a heartfelt thanks to the participants as they gathered at the start line. Former Seahawk Walter Jones hyped the crowd up. Then, Mayor (and Seattle Animal Shelter fan) Bruce Harrell counted down the start of the race as the crowd of participants, both two- and four-legged, were raring and ready to run.

RACERS TO WATCH

There were plenty of speedy people and pups on hand, with some truly impressive finishing times.

The fastest runners in each category were:

Seattle Furry 5K 202316

Male:

  1. Michael Stewart (20:50)
  2. John O’Hearn (21:04) + Dog
  3. Taylor Kesler (21:18)

Female:

  1. Julie Vieselmeyer (20:51) + Dog
  2. Cleo Baernstein (20:57)
  3. Ran Huo (22:15)

Non-Binary:

  1. MJ Jenkins (23:13) + Dog
  2. Vyas Savanur (25:54)
  3. Katie Lyle-Beshai (30:33)

TOP FUNDRAISERS

In the weeks leading up to the Furry 5K Fun Run and Walk, individuals and teams worked diligently to fundraise to great success! Through generous donations, they raised nearly $14,000. Commercial Industrial Ruffing was the top fundraising team, raising over $1,000. The top fundraising doggo Hector (and his human Frank Massaro!) was presented a medal at the Pet-a-Palooza celebration.

BY THE NUMBERS

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Over 4,100 miles walked or run

Over 30 vendors and sponsors

587 Runners 

737 Walkers

Countless dogs!

And perhaps most importantly of all:

$118,949 raised to help the animals of Seattle!

THANK YOU TO ALL INVOLVED 

None of this would have been possible without the support of donors, volunteers, sponsors, and vendors. 

The Furry 5K has always been run by volunteers dedicated to raising funds to cover the Seattle Animal Shelter’s veterinary needs. This year’s race was put on by more than 100 volunteers – the glue of this beloved event! Whether you ran, walked, donated, led a team, shared a post on social media, or anything in between — thank you. Your support helps the Seattle Animal Shelter keep doing amazing work. 

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It takes a village to put on a race like the Furry 5K, and a huge part of that community are our sponsors. These sponsors provide the shelter with invaluable resources to create a fun, impactful event that truly matters to the animals in need of the care that the shelter provides. Thank you to: 

A special shout out to our presenting sponsor, Mud Bay, for also donating $1 for each mile ran at the Furry 5K, for a total of $4,108! 

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Please join us at our Furevermore Auction & Gala on October 21st at Fremont Studios for a night full of fun and love for our community’s animals. Tickets are on sale now!

Check out more event day photos in our 2023 Furry 5K photo album.

See highlights of Tracy’s takeover of the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation’s Instagram on Furry 5K day here.

Furry 5K turns fun into funds that make a difference 

Posted on by Tom

Sign up for this year’s Furry 5K here!  

The best part of the Furry 5K Fun Run and Walk varies depending on who you ask. For many of us it’s simple: the dogs and their people. For others, it’s seeing the strength of the animal welfare community coming together to support such an important cause.  
 
But for some, the best part is that it saved their life. Although they wouldn’t be able to tell you that.  
 
In 2022, the Furry 5K made possible 226 veterinary visits for 135 animals, and many more lab tests and prescriptions in support of that.  

The event raised $115,000, which goes specifically to the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) “Help the Animals” fund. 

“As opposed to grant funding for behavior or foster programs, this fund goes into the ‘Help the Animals’ fund, so it is more nimble for the SAS,” said Seattle Animal Shelter Deputy Director Jocelyn Bouchard. “That’s one way it’s different, and that’s a positive thing. If we have a large impound or an urgent medical need, we can access it right away,” she said. 

In 2022, most of the funds were used for vet costs, because the shelter was without a veterinarian so needed more external support. Some money went back into the foster program for reimbursements to foster homes for supplies, and toward the purchase of leashes and collars, and cardboard carriers to send cats to their forever homes. It also helped support the Canine Corral, where the shelter dogs are exercised.  

“This fund was invaluable this past year. There was one surgery in particular, an orthopedic surgery for Styx, who needed both his front legs splinted,” Jocelyn said. 

Styx was rescued when he was injured but thanks to multiple treatments funded by the Help the Animals Fund and the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation he was adopted and is well on his way to a full recovery. 
 
For Styx and all the other animals helped by past Furry 5Ks, there’s a lot to love about the event. And for attendees, no matter what your favorite part, you’ll find it this year. 
 
“The thing that always stands out … is everybody and their dogs. It’s just the best,” she said. “And it’s an opportunity to get together with like-minded people, support a great cause and see a bunch of cute animals.” 

Sign up for this year’s Furry 5K here!  

Face of the Furry 5K 2023

Posted on by Tom

On June 11, Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) is holding the 24th annual Furry 5K at Seward Park. A chance to get outside, gather with our furry family members, and support animals in need. What’s more, 100% of funds raised on this fun day go to the Help the Animals Fund at the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS). 

Every fall, SASF hosts an auction and gala called Furevermore to raise funds for SAS. Last fall, Heather and Pete made a generous donation to win the Face of Furry 5K for their dog, Ezzie. We had a chat with the two about their history with animal welfare and how Ezzie brought new energy and joy to their day-to-day lives.  

OUR CONVERSATION WITH HEATHER AND PETE 

SASF: LET’S START WITH THE MOST IMPORTANT PART… CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT EZZIE? 

Heather: We got Ezzie in 2021 at a rescue in Eastern Washington, because he fit exactly what we were looking for and there are so many dogs over there needing adoption. Someone found him on the side of the road with an eye hanging out. Our last dog had both eyes removed so when I saw Ezzie with just one eye, that caught my attention. He has some stranger danger but once he gets to know you, he is the sweetest, most empathetic little guy. 

WHY WERE YOU INTERESTED IN HAVING YOUR DOG BE THE FACE OF THE FURRY 5K? 

Pete: I’m on the Board of the Seattle Humane Society, we’re long-time supporters of the Seattle Animal Shelter, and we’ve been going to Furevermore for many years. Heather was also involved in the very first auctions for a number of years. We loved the idea of giving Ezzie a platform to show that one-eyed stray dogs can be amazing dogs. 

HOW DOES EZZIE AFFECT YOUR LIFE? HOW IS HE A PART OF YOUR DAY-TO-DAY? 

Heather: In the morning he likes to climb on me and we’ll have a little chat. He gets me to walk every day, we play ball, and he’s next to me all work day long. He always wants to be with us, and he’s a great traveler, he goes with us down to Palm Springs.  

Pete: He wants to be part of our lives and we want to be part of his. He’s very joyful, very athletic, and he has this way of running that is purely for fun. He doesn’t care about how fast he is, he just wants to have fun. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WITH EZZIE SO FAR? 

Pete: Our first two dogs were older and quieter dogs, and the first day we brought Ezzie home, he was about a year and a half old, he went puppy crazy and played in our backyard for hours. But of course, he was nervous being in a new situation. So first day was wild and new. We were worried about what we got ourselves into, but it’s all been awesome. He sat on the console the whole ride home, so he was comfortable with us from the get-go.  

Heather: He also has this ball he likes to play soccer with. He pushes it around with his front paws, then he jumps over it to stop it, and then pushes it back with his head.  

OKAY, LAST QUESTION. IF SOMEONE WAS INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE FURRY 5K THIS SUMMER, WHAT IS ONE THING YOU’D TELL THEM? 

Heather: It’s an amazing way to support animal welfare and any support goes a long way! 

HOW TO JOIN IN ON THE FUN 

There’s still plenty of time to sign up for this June’s Furry 5K! Check out the Furry 5K website to learn more about participating. 

And if you’d like to see your pet be the Face of Furry 5K at a future event, stay tuned for more news about the Furevermore Auction & Gala this October. 

Tips to get you and your dog ready for the Furry 5K 

Posted on by Tom

Sunday, June 11, 2023 marks the 24th annual Furry 5K Fun Run and Walk. 100% of funds raised go to the Help the Animals Fund at the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS). The 2020 and 2021 Furry 5Ks were entirely virtual, but in 2022 and again for 2023 we are back to in-person! Our goal: Support pets in need while enjoying a fun and playful day outside with friends and animals. 

The Help the Animals Fund is where all of the Furry 5K profits are deposited for SAS to use where most needed to help the animals in their care. In 2022 the fund helped cover the cost of a lot of external veterinary exams and diagnostics while SAS recruited for their amazing new veterinary team who are now in place. This external veterinary care included: lab tests and veterinary visits. 

Below are our best tips for getting you and your dog ready for the event!

Before the race: 

-Check with your dog’s vet that a 5K is suitable for them 

-Slowly build up your dog’s miles 

-Don’t feed your dog before a run, to prevent bloat 

-Make sure you have the right collar/harness and leash (see the rules below) 

-Register at www.Furry5K.com beforehand  

-Make sure your dog is ready to socialize with others 

-Invite your friends/family/coworkers to join you and register at Furry5K.com too! 

On the day of the Furry 5K: 

-Bring water for your dog 

-Bring extra poop bags 

-Bring a comfortable harness/leash 

-Bring treats/snacks 

-Watch for fatigue 

-Don’t be afraid to ask for help! 

Dog Safety Rules:

– No retractable leashes.
– Leashes must be no longer than 8 feet (Seattle Municipal Code).
– No dogs under 6 months of age.
– No female dogs in heat.
– No aggressive dogs.
– Dogs must be on leashes at all times.
– All dogs must be current on vaccinations.

 

Get ready for the 2023 Furry 5K

Posted on by JenniferW JuliaL

On your mark, get set… go sign up for the 2023 Furry 5K Fun Run & Walk! Join us Sunday, June 11th at Seward Park, Seattle for a fun-filled event for dogs and humans hosted by the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF).  Sign up for the Furry 5K and get ready to raise some funds for pets in need at the Seattle Animal Shelter. 

Each registration includes a Furry 5K T-shirt featuring scruffy cover dog Ezzie, your race bib, and a bag filled with sponsor goodies. Advance packet pickup location and time will be announced on SASF’s social media Facebook and Instagram so be sure to follow us. We’ll email the details to all registrants too. Sign up for the Furry 5K now so you’ll get that email! 

On Sunday, June 11th, day-of registration and packet pick up starts at 10am. Take your photo in the photo booth, then head over to the start line. The Furry 5K Fun Run & Walk will begin with a staggered start: Runners line up and the gun will fire at 11:30am. Walkers start 10 minutes later at 11:40am.  

After you cross the finish line, treat your pup to a dip in the kiddie pool — a fantastic photo op, be sure to tag #furry5kseattle and #furry5k if you share your photos on social. Next, wind your way through the Pet-A-Palooza vendor booths full of fun pet products. Check out the list of sponsors below for some of the vendors that will be there for learning about products, and deals for shopping. Look for the corral at the far end next to the stage to watch talented athletic dogs race the agility course. Then turn to the stage for the Furry 5K awards and Pet Costume Contest. Awards will be given to the top 5K finishers, top individual fundraiser, top team fundraiser, and the best costumes – both human and dog costumes, of course. 

100% of the Furry 5K Fun Run and Walk profits go to the Seattle Animal Shelter’s Help The Animals Fund, which supports medical care for pets in need. The Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) does so much to improve and save pet lives in our community. In 2022 alone, the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation supported SAS to…   

  • Get 403 dogs, 544 cats, and 126 critters adopted    
  • Provide 747 spay and neuter surgeries    
  • Investigate 807 animal cruelty cases    
  • Hold 1,831 animal behavior sessions for shelter animals   
  • Reunite 429 lost animals with their owners    
  • Rescue 316 wild animals    
  • Perform 2,200 vet exams    
  • Serve 628 animals via the pet food bank   


You can help us help even more shelter pets in the coming year — our goal is for the 2023 Furry 5K to get to 1,800 runner and walker registrations before June 11th. Invite your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, cat sitters, or dog-walking buddies to sign up at www.Furry5K.com and share why you’re racing on social media, tagging #furry5kseattle and #furry5k to join the fun!  

…

Many thanks to our sponsors, especially our Presenting Sponsor, Mud Bay, who helps make the Furry 5K event possible with their support.  

Furevermore 2022 raises record-breaking $230,000!

Posted on by Tom

The Furevermore Auction & Gala returned to the National Nordic Museum in Ballard with over 250 supporters thrilled to be having fun for a good cause. 

Beautifully dressed attendees caught up with each other, shared stories of their pets, and enjoyed a lively cocktail hour. After a two-year hiatus of hosting Furevermore in person, people were ready to party. They flocked to new event features: an animal watercolor portrait, a magician, and raffle tickets offering one winner a weekend getaway. 

Meanwhile, bidders looked down lines of tables at all of the silent auction items, like cat and dog care packages, an electric boat sailing excursion, and Seattle sports tickets. Best of all, adoptable kittens and bunnies from the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) greeted attendees. 

Dinner and the live auction began with tremendous fanfare when supporters received a visit from surprise guests – adoptable shelter puppies! The auctioneer introduced a new live auction experience – puppy playtime. It wasn’t long before these floppy pups brought in over a $1,000 donation! And the bidding didn’t ease up there. Vacation getaways, Seattle dining and entertainment, and the chance to feature your pet in Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) event materials all went to the highest bidders. 

All this fun was in support of raising money to improve the lives of dogs, cats, and critters at the shelter Since the pandemic, the shelter has leaned on its incredible foster program to care for pets. However, the foster program has reached its limit of what volunteers alone could sustain. 

In addition to supporting existing programs like the behavior team, this year SASF needed to raise enough money to fund a full-time foster coordinator to improve the foster experience for people and pets alike. 

During the Fund a Need portion of the evening, guests could pledge donations that would specifically be ear-marked for this foster need. A few donors went above and beyond, pledging $5,000 during Fund a Need! Many generous donors pledged $100, $200, or $500 after hearing from existing volunteers and foster parents about the current limitations of the program and how a loving foster home benefits shelter pets. 

SASF Fund-A-Need (captions) 

Even with all the cocktail hour activities, 100+ items to bid on, and a delicious dinner, Furevermore supporters were quick to raise their paddles and donate to fund the foster program to expand and stabilize the foster parent network, improve coordinated care for foster pets, and save the lives of more pets. 

And wow did our supporters show up to help. We are thrilled to share that Furevermore raised a record fundraising total of $232,352! 

With this money, SAS will begin hiring for the foster coordinator position at the end of this year. Plus, a portion will go toward the shelter’s general grants fund to cover a range of programs, including veterinary services, medical equipment at the shelter’s in-house clinic, and the behavioral therapy program. 

Many thanks to everyone who attended, donated, got wonderfully competitive in the exciting live and silent auctions, all the volunteers, and shelter staff who made such a fantastic event possible. We couldn’t have done this without you! 

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, subscribe to our email newsletter, and return to this website for updates on how the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation is improving the lives of our most vulnerable pets in our community. 
 

Meet at Furevermore, Love Forevermore 2022

Posted on by Tom

At Furevermore this year, we are excited to announce that there will be real, live animals. While we do our best to anticipate what animals will be there, these adorable future friends may be adopted by the time October 29th rolls around, but we will do our best to keep everything updated.

Make sure to get your tickets to meet some of the adorable animals in the critter tent!

Tiny, adorable baby rabbits

We are so incredibly excited to bring these itty bitty bunnies to the event, provided they don’t get adopted first.

There are five of these tiny, adorable fluff balls. That is 10 floppy ears, for anyone keeping count. They do not have formal names, or we would list them out with profile pictures, so for now just enjoy them in their sleepy pile.

As of the time of this posting they were just 3 weeks old. By the time we get to the event, they should be a bit less sleepy and more active. All the better to play.

Their mother is an equally adorable (though less tiny) rabbit named Lily. Lily came to us on August 11th, and gave birth to these babies on August 22nd. She is a sweet Holland Lop, so we assume that’s what her babies are too (good luck googling that and not falling in love).

Come meet the hoppity 5 at the critter tent at Furevermore, and if you haven’t already, get your tickets today!

Furevermore 2022 Sneak Peak!

Posted on by Tom

In the lead-up to the event, we will be featuring some of our donated items that will be available. Check back for updates and more of what you could win at Furevermore on October 29th, 2022. And if you haven’t already, get your tickets before we run out!

A couple quick notes:

  • We now have a raffle going where you can win further prizes like a wine tasting!
  • We are excited to reveal the signature cocktail at the event: The Paws-mo! We don’t want to give too many spoilers out, so come try this cocktail!

XOBC Wine Tasting

XOBC Cellars bottled the goodness that comes out of sharing a meal with a friend or stranger. The winery was founded in 2019 by multi-Grammy winning artist Brandi Carlile, her wife Catherine, and their friends, Jeri and Amy Andrews. These women fused music and wine with a common goal of making a difference by donating proceeds from XOBC Cellars to Brandi’s Looking Out Foundation (LOF).

A true outlier, showcasing female & LGBTQ+ leadership, this team of women in wine has raised the bar for the entire industry. Now you and up to 12 of your friends can sip on this wine. Let Team XOBC treat you and your guests to a tailored private experience.

During the tasting (typically 60-90 minutes) we share the story of how XOBC Cellars began, why our Walla Walla vineyards make such fantastic wine, our sustainable farming practices, and the ways in which your support gives back to LOF, all interspersed with questions from your group and plenty of tasting.

6-nights on an African Safari

Zulu Nyala Private Game Reserve provides a unique bush experience in the heart of one of South Africa’s most diverse conservation regions. Nestled between the wilderness reserves of Mkuze, Hluhluwe, St Lucia and Sodwana Bay, this lush stretch of paradise is home to a wide variety of game, from the majestic elephant to rhino, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, the secretive leopard and cheetah and the shy Nyala antelope that are endemic to the region.


The privately owned reserve is home to over 40 different species of animal and magnificent birdlife. A large variety of game reserve activities and excursions are available to all guests of Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge and Hemingway Tented Camp.

Read more in this document about the trip!

2 Seahawks tickets and a signed football

Claim 2 tickets to see the Seahawks play at Lumen Field and sit amongst the fans in section 126. Specific games are TBD at Furevermore.

Winners of this prize will also receive a signed football from NFL Hall of Famer Walter Jones! Jones played with the Seahawks of 180 games and was selected into the Hall of Fame on his first year of eligibility.

Guided Truffle Hunting

Join us on a truffle hunt with an exclusive Guided Truffle Hunting Experience. Our guide will take you to a known truffle patch and show you the fascinating world of truffle hunting with dogs. We promise you will not be disappointed when you see the dog and handler work in tandem to locate the underground treasures. Please no dogs as it can be very distracting to the dog who is working.

We recommend you budget about 1/2 day for this experience. The truffle hunt itself will last about 1.5 to 2 hrs from the moment you set boots and paws in the woods until the time you return to vehicles. Travel time to location varies and is generally 1.5 to 3 hours round trip from the nearest major city (see locations in the scheduling form below).

Guests provide their own transportation and bring proper attire and any food/ water. You get to keep everything that is found. We’ll show you how to clean and care for them, as well as provide some recipe ideas, and we’ll sample some delicious truffle-infused goodies back at the vehicles! It’ll be a magical day in the woods. Read more!

2 tasting menus with wine parings and a night at the willows inn

The beautiful Willows Inn is located on Lummi Island and is widely known for its world-class restaurant. Booked months in advance, this is an excellent chance to try to food for yourself, then retire to your room on the premises.

Lummi Island’s quiet atmosphere is great for relaxing and taking in the beautiful views. During the day there are art communities, farms, and other small attractions. For outdoorsy folks, there are some hikes and kayaking options available as well. Get away from the city and enjoy the beauty Lummi and an outstanding evening of food.

Custom Dog house from Backspace Sheds

The winner of this awesome item will get a custom dog house, courtesy of our friends at bAckspace Sheds. After a hard day of chasing squirrels, protecting your yard from airplanes, and generally zooming about, your dog deserves to relax in luxury. Perfect for all dogs, these houses will keep your furry friend out of ruff conditions.

If you want to check out some of the designs by bAckspace Sheds, check out their Instagram!

2022 Furevermore Auction & Gala

Posted on by Tom

*** For tickets to Furevermore 2023, please visit this page! ***

___________________________________________

Here is our 2022 event information:

fundraising for animal shelter programs

It’s time to auction like it’s 2019! We are returning back in-person to the National Nordic Museum in Ballard on October 29th, 2022. Join us for a fun evening of catching up and bidding on a wide selection of items from our generous donors. Proceeds from this event go towards supporting crucial programs at Seattle Animal Shelter.

Sports tickets, local restaurant tastings, pet gear, and one-of-a-kind travel opportunities are just some of the items ready to go to the highest bidder. Plus, there’s the chance to feature your pet on the next SASF calendar or make them the star of next year’s Furry 5K and Furevermore! 

Space is limited to 350, so get your tickets today to win cool stuff, play games, and help animals all over the city get the care they need.

More than just an auction

Furevermore includes all kinds of fun events for animal lovers. Here just a few of the planned activities for the evening in addition to the 100+ items in live and silent auction:

  • Meet and greet with adoptable puppies, kittens, or bunnies 
  • A full course meal 
  • Cocktail hour 
  • “You as an animal” portraits 
  • Photo booths 
  • Other exciting raffles and entertainment 
2022 TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT

Save the Date: Furevermore Returns October 29, 2022 

Posted on by Tom

Posted August 8, 2022

UPDATE: Registration is now closed, thank you!

The Furevermore Auction & Gala is back on October 29th, 2022! 

After going virtual in 2020 and cancelling in 2021, the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation is thrilled to announce Furevermore is back in person this year. 

We’ll welcome 350 of our top supporters to the National Nordic Museum to enjoy: 

  • Cocktail hour 
  • Meet and greet with adoptable puppies, kittens, or bunnies 
  • “You as an animal” portraits 
  • Photo booths 
  • Other exciting raffles and entertainment 
  • A full course meal 
  • Bidding on 100+ items in a live and silent auction 

Sports tickets, local restaurant tastings, pet gear, and one-of-a-kind travel opportunities are just some of the items ready to go to the highest bidder. Plus, there’s the chance to feature your pet on the 2023 SASF calendar or make them the star of next year’s Furry 5K and Furevermore! 

Have fun and donate to a good cause as we look to raise over $200,000 and to help fund life-saving programs at the Seattle Animal Shelter. 

With the money raised from this event, we’re looking to fund a full-time foster care coordinator to increase the number of dogs, cats, and critters that are placed in foster homes and provide direct support to foster parents and animals. Your donations in support of this foster care coordinator position will make a difference for so many neglected dogs, cats, and critters looking for a second chance. 

Seating is limited, so check back on our website or follow us on Facebook,  Instagram, or LinkedIn to see when tickets become available. 

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you in October!