Category: Featured

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.  

Furry 5K 2022: Over $115,000 Raised for the Seattle Animal Shelter!

Posted on by Leah Traxel
Two dogs in bandanas at Furry 5K

We did it! This past year’s Furry 5K was bigger than ever before, thanks to generous donations, volunteers, our sponsors, and the hundreds of humans and pets who joined us on June 12 at Seward Park (and even those who participated virtually). The event was packed to the brim with opportunities to connect as a community and support the Seattle Animal Shelter.  

Dogs and walkers at Furry 5K

Fun on the day 

Upon arriving at Seward Park, runners and walkers (two-legged and four-legged alike) were invited to get in on the fun early. There were photo booths and vendors to explore, and presenting sponsor Mud Bay was handing out bandanas to eager pups. It was a joy to see so many furry family members sporting their new gear as they made the 5-kilometer loop next to Lake Washington. Even Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrel joined in, chatting with race participants and giving head scratches to animals as they headed out on the course. 

Mayor Harrell, Kara Main-Hester, and Esteban Rodriguez at Furry 5K

Once runners and walkers rounded the last corner and came in sight of the finish line, excited barking filled the park as humans and pets raced towards the finish line. There was the classic rehydration station and also a little something extra for the pups (tennis balls) that greeted finishers as they passed through the final arch — exciting many dogs who could have kept on going. 

The fun didn’t stop there. The various booths, food trucks and activities kept runners and walkers entertained long after their 3-mile loop. The dog agility course was a crowd favorite and showcased the talents of plenty of pups. 

Dogs, humans, and vendors at Furry 5K
Rainier Agility Team dog and handler at Furry 5K
Dogs lounging in kiddy pools at Furry 5K

Check out more event day photos in our 2022 Furry 5K photo album. 

We beat our fundraising goal!

The impact of the Furry 5K 

Beyond the joy of the actual race, this year’s Furry 5K helped provide the Seattle Animal Shelter with much needed funds and support. Every dollar raised through donations will help the pets at the shelter receive the medical attention, behavioral support, and loving care they need and deserve. 

We’re proud to say that we surpassed our fundraising goal of $100,000! This year’s Furry 5K event raised $115,145 for the Seattle Animal Shelter. This money will be used to support so many animals in the shelter and allow the facilities and people working within the shelter to continue their vital work.  

Thank you to all involved 

None of this would have been possible without the support of donors, volunteers, and sponsors. This year’s race was put on by more than 100 volunteers, and we all know it wouldn’t be the same without the dedication of that group. Volunteers actually created the first Furry 5K back in 1999 to raise funds for the Seattle Animal Shelter’s veterinary needs and they still organize the event to this day. 

The Furry 5K wouldn’t be what it is without the donors and participants that come out, rain or shine, to help support the shelter animals they care about. 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. 

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 $3,252! 

Looking ahead 

While this year was a smashing success, there are always more opportunities to support the shelter. Keep an ear out on future fundraising and community-building events by subscribing to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation newsletter. You can also donate today to help support the shelter’s ongoing needs.  

Mud Bay Delivers Donations and Sponsorship to Help Make Furry 5K a Success

Posted on by Leah Traxel
Thank you Furry 5K image

Mud Bay is delighted to be a longtime partner supporting the work of Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation, and a recurring Presenting Sponsor of one of SASF’s signature events—the Furry 5K. Last year, in addition to sponsorship, Mud Bay was also able to donate 1,600 pounds of high-quality food to the shelter. Since 2017, Mud Bay has donated over $1.3 million dollars supporting exemplary nonprofit organizations such as SASF.

This year, Mud Bay Delivery is pleased to be participating in several ways, including the bandana sponsorship, and will have members of our Delivery Team on-site to hand out bandanas—as well as pet treats—to folks at Furry 5K.

Also, Mud Bay Delivery has pledged to donate $1 for each and every mile walked/ran during the Furry 5K event on June 12th.

“We love working with Seattle Animal Shelter, and Furry 5K is always one of our favorite events,” said Justin Anderson, Marketing Program Manager for Mud Bay. “Between the adorable bandanas Mud Bay Delivery team members are handing out, and the $1 match for every mile, we hope this will be the best Furry 5K yet!”

So, grab your friends and family and register for the Furry 5K today, which benefits the Help the Animals Fund at Seattle Animal Shelter, supporting medical care for pets in need. And when you’re there, look for the Mud Bay Delivery crew to say hi and get a bandana and a treat for your pet!

From Helpless to Happy: How Rue Found Her Courage

Posted on by Leah Traxel

When Rue came to the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) in October 2021, she could barely look at anyone. For weeks, the four-year-old American pitbull terrier mix remained curled up in the corner, averting eye contact, and avoiding all human interactions. The more staff and volunteers tried to engage with her, the tighter she curled up against the wall, even staying in that position overnight.

One of the shelter’s more difficult cases, Rue was rescued by the Seattle Police Department from a hotel room, where she was found penned in her own waste alongside several other dogs. Her companions were covered in scars consistent with dog fighting. While SAS’s medical examination showed Rue to be physically well, her emotional scars ran deep.

Rue scared
Shortly after arriving to SAS, Rue curled up in fear.

“If you looked at her, moved towards her—even to just place a food bowl down—she would curl up tighter or push herself even further against the wall,” said SAS’s lead behaviorist Kimberlee Spicer. “We would attempt to take her out on walks, but she did not want to move. If we needed to get her out to clean her kennel, she would walk with a tense body—tail tucked, ears back, closed tight mouth, and pupils dilated.”

Kimberlee explained that Rue was exhibiting behaviors consistent with a condition known as learned helplessness, which can develop when a dog is repeatedly frightened or abused and learns to shut down, believing they have no control.

SAS’s behavior team immediately stepped in to help, starting by moving Rue out of her kennel and into a quieter shared office space. Typically, a behavior training session consists of walks, treats, and lively positive reinforcement. For Rue, the trainer would come into the office, sit down at a comfortable distance, read to her for several minutes, drop a tasty treat on the floor, and then slip back out.

Rue and Kimberlee at the shelter
Kimberlee sits with Rue in a non-threatening manner.

Progress was slow and steady. Rue would not eat in front of anyone (a significant show of trust for a dog) or move from her corner, even to go to the bathroom. But around a month into the behavior program after constant and consistent support, Rue began improving, moving about the office space, taking a treat from an outstretched palm, and allowing the staff and volunteers to take her on brief walks around the parking lot.

Rue dog getting pets
After a brief walk with Kimberlee, Rue allows a shelter volunteer to pet her.

Finally, Rue was taken in by an amazing foster family. Her foster parents, Krista and Andrew, were endlessly patient with her, allowing her the time, space, and praise to learn to be a normal dog again. They worked with Rue on house training, leash training, being around people, exploring the yard. They also exposed her to different people and rooms in the home, sounds and textures.

Rue especially benefited from being around her foster brothers and sisters. While she was hesitant to seek out interactions with them, she was observant, watching how the other dogs behaved and slowly mirroring their behaviors.

Rue
Rue takes cues on how to relax from watching other dogs.

After two and a half months in foster, Rue was adopted on February 9, 2022. Some animals will backtrack when they are adopted, but Rue leaped forward. Less than a week after her adoption, she was eating in the kitchen (not in her crate), sleeping on a dog bed in an open room, and spending time with her new family in the open living spaces. Like her namesake, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, she was courageous.

Her new favorite activities are performing zoomies and leaping over the small stream in her backyard; taking car rides with her little head out the back window; and eating vanilla ice cream from Salt & Straw with her big brother, Spike, another SAS rescue.

“Our goal was to get Rue’s little tail to wag, even just once, by her 1-year ‘Gotcha Day’ (adoption) anniversary,” said Shannon Ryan, her adoptive mom. “I am happy to report that Rue’s little tail now wags daily, and it makes my heart so happy every time I see it.”

Successes like this would not be possible without the continued generosity of SASF donors, who provide support for programs such as dog behavior training and the vet clinic. If you are interested in supporting the important work SAS does in getting animals to their forever homes, consider joining the annual Furry 5K. Held at Seward Park on June 12, 2022, the proceeds from this fun walk/run go directly to the Help the Animals Fund at the Seattle Animal Shelter, which supports medical care for pets in need.

Rue dog snuggles
Roo is comfortable in her forever home and loves snuggling with her new mom.
Rue dog snuggles

Faces of the Furry 5K 2022 – Lemon and Walter

Posted on by Leah Traxel

This year’s Furry 5K is just around the corner. On June 12, hundreds of King County animal lovers will gather at Seward Park alongside their four-legged companions to walk or run in the name of helping pets. A good event needs a good ambassador, or maybe even two. This year’s face(s) of the Furry 5K are Lemon and Walter: two very good dogs.

How did these two pups become such an important part of this race? Each fall, the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) hosts an auction and gala to raise funds for the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS). While the pandemic caused a few changes in plans over the last two years, it did not stop Lemon and Walter’s owner, Chris Priest, from making a generous donation to secure his pups as the Face of the Furry 5K. We had the privilege of sitting down with Chris to learn more about his beloved dogs, his history with the Furry 5K, and who is really in charge of their household.

Lemon and Walter (two dogs) posing nicely
Lemon (left) and Walter, this year’s Faces of the Furry 5K, sit pretty for their headshot.

Our conversation with Chris

SASF: First thing’s first… – Can you tell us a little bit about Walter and Lemon?

Chris: Lemon is a border collie/terrier mutt we adopted from a shelter in Sun Valley, Idaho. We had lost a wonder dog (Daisy Mae, who was from the Seattle Animal Shelter), and there was something about adorable, crazy Lemon that reminded us of her.

Lemon is a gregarious herder who loves people (especially kids) and certain other dog pals. She is the fastest thing, crazy agile, and very smart. It’s hard for us to keep up with her quite often.

Little Walter is a little terrier mix who was found wandering the streets; some kids took him to a vet, and they cared for him for a month before relinquishing him to the shelter. We fell in love immediately, and so did Lemon. Walter is a smarty pants and the boss. He rules the roost, and Lemon loves him more than she might [love] us. They are the best of friends and bring us delight every day.

Why were you interested in having your dogs be the Face of the Furry 5K?

We love the Seattle Animal Shelter and the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation, and a highlight of our year is the annual auction. We’ve had our dogs on the side of buses (twice), in the calendar (three times), and all sorts of other prizes. It just made sense to do the Furry 5K — that, and Lemon is crazy fast. We wanted to support the Seattle Animal Shelter and do something fun and different!

Two dogs (Lemon and Walter) playing
The two dogs discovered they were perfect playmates right away. Here, Lemon (left) and Walter display their polite playing technique.

How do Lemon and Walter affect your life? Do they help you maintain any sort of daily routines or bring a new appreciation to your daily activities?

Lemon and Walter ARE our daily lives. Besides work and food, everything we do centers around our pack. We go on lots of walks every day, go on runs, and play fetch and all sorts of games.

They have both gone to more training and more classes than either of their humans have. They love to be challenged and to play, so we spend a lot of time training, doing exercises, and having fun. We go down to Yelm a few times a month so Lemon can herd sheep and Walter can bark. They love it!

[Because we work] from home, they are very rarely alone. We have morning walks, afternoon walks, and night walks. We go to a lot of places that allow dogs, too, so they go out to eat with us or meet friends with us all the time.

These two make every day extra special. From crazy play episodes that take over the entire house to all the people in our neighborhood who greet them, every day is more fun and more interesting because of these two.

What are you looking forward to about this year’s Furry 5K?

Both Lemon and Walter love to go on runs. I used to run to and from work with Lemon, and her and I have participated in the Furry 5K three times. It’s such a fun, entertaining, and healthy event — we love to participate.

Lemon loves people, so I think her getting attention and being recognized as the Face of the Furry 5K will make her very happy. We plan to arrive early and take photos and do whatever helps the Foundation increase participation and the fun factor. Come meet Lemon and Walter!

Okay, last question. If someone was interested in potentially participating in the Furry 5K this summer, what is one thing you’d tell them?

It’s all about the animals. The work the Seattle Animal Shelter and Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation do for dogs, cats, critters, and friends is remarkable. This is a chance to run or walk, have a fun time, support each other, and raise money for the shelter. There are lots of teams, so there’s lots of support. It’s fun, and it is so important to show how much our community supports the animals!

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.

If you’re interested in your pet being the Face of the Furry 5K at a future event, keep an eye out for the Furevermore Auction & Gala coming this October. Who knows – maybe your best friend will be the star of next year’s race!

The 2022 Furry 5K is Back In-Person June 12!

Posted on by Leah Traxel
Furry 5K Promo June 12, 2022 at Seward Park
Two pugs in a stroller

The dogs are barking! The cats are meowing! The critters are… crittering? We’re all so excited to announce the Furry 5K is back in-person in 2022!

Dog and humans are welcome to join the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) on Sunday, June 12th as we make a triumphant return to Seward Park to host the in-person Furry 5K Fun Run & Walk.

Sign up for the Furry 5K now to take advantage of early-bird pricing and reserve your race bib, goody bag, and 2022 Furry 5K t-shirt.

On Sunday, June 12th, the Furry 5K will begin at 11 AM with a staggered start for runners and walkers. After you cross the finish line, make your way through our booths to check out some fun pet products, explore the dog agility course, treat your pup to a dip in the kiddie pool, or hook them up with a treat from Puddles Barkery.

dog in a tutu surrounded by run participants

You’ll then hear awards given to the top three 5K finishers, top individual fundraiser, top team fundraiser, and the best costumes (both human and dog costumes, of course).

We hope to see over 1,000 people at the race, and 100% of proceeds will go toward the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS). So spread the word and get a group of friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, cat sitters, or dog-walking buddies to race with you.

SAS has done so much to support pets over the years. In 2021 alone, the shelter helped:

  • Get 226 dogs, 363 cats, and 122 critters adopted.
  • Provide 898 spay and neuter surgeries.
  • Investigate 741 animal cruelty cases.
  • Reunite 454 lost animals with their owners.
  • Rescue 351 wild animals.
  • Perform 7,000 vet exams.
  • Serve 366 animals via the pet food bank.

We are so grateful for everyone who has supported the shelter after all these years (even when the Furry 5K was virtual in both 2020 and 2021). Let’s give back to SAS once more and raise $100,000 at the 2022 Furry 5K!

Two dogs and three runners finishing the race

Sign up to race the Furry 5K!

Share why you’re excited to race by tagging SASF on Instagram and Facebook and using #furry5kseattle and #furry5k to connect with our pet-loving community.

Many thanks to our sponsors, especially our Presenting Sponsor, Mud Bay, who help make this event possible with their amazing support for the Seattle Animal Shelter. A huge thank you to:

Behavioral Training Program funding saves lives

Posted on by Carol Eicher


Watch and share video here.

Published 2018/09/19

From Ann Graves, SAS Director:

Because we are an open admission shelter and the City’s only municipal animal control agency animals come to SAS for many reasons. While we are grateful we to be the safety net for those animals who need us most, we also know that being in the shelter is an incredibly stressful time. Whatever their background or length of stay, the staff and volunteers at SAS care for them and determine whether they can be adopted. As an artificial and stressful environment the shelter can exacerbate or even create behavior that might make an animal seem challenging or unadoptable. Previously many of these animals were euthanized. A grant from the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation allowed SAS to bring in a behaviorist to evaluate animals and work one on one with them. In addition, the behaviorist works with shelter staff and volunteers so that everyone handling animals has the skills to help make their shelter experience less traumatic and help guide animals to their forever homes.

This vital program has already saved lives and it is time to scale it up by creating a sustainable program including a full-time behaviorist position. This will expand the training of staff and volunteers and the capacity to work with every dog that needs it with consistency from the day they arrive at SAS. With this program SAS will continue its long history of being a progressive municipal agency. Like SAS’s lifesaving programs that have come before, we can also look forward to our successes leading to it being emulated elsewhere as shelters across the country recognize this is as vital as providing medical care.

A tribute to Daisy—A rescue dog from Seattle Animal Shelter

Posted on by Carol Eicher

In memory of Daisy, who died from cancer recently, we are honoring her positive spirit which brought joy and love to her family for almost 18 years. The following article was written by Christopher Priest, and initially published in Bark Magazine:

All dogs go to heaven. They all represent unconditional love and an incomparable companionship. They are our family.

We always had a joke though about Daisy Mae—a blackish, grayish, brownish terrier mutt who passed away in April at 18 (the vet says 19). We always joked that Daisy Pants would never make it to heaven. She was that kind of dog. She was naughty, she connived, she ruled, she ran away, she judged.

We always joked that Daisy Bottom would go to the other place and quickly be running it within a week. She was that kind dog–she outsmarted everyone and everything. She caught backyard birds–we’d find their massacred little bodies. She figured out how to open her dog food container and we found her stomach bloated, unable to get up, with no more water in the house. We bought her toys you had to figure out to get treats and she’d be munching on them in seconds–another supposedly difficult puzzle solved too quickly.

Daisy Pants was adopted from the Seattle Animal Shelter in about 2000. She was found wandering the streets of Seattle without a collar, filthy, in good shape, content. She was a street dog. She remained a feral spirit until her final days. She would sneak out and go wreak havoc and be back before we got home from work. She did this for weeks–until a neighbor said, “you know… your dog gets out every day.” She would get out, we’d spend hours searching for her, and then we’d see her strolling home, as if she’d done what she wanted, accomplished her purpose, and knew it was about dinner time.

Daisy Mae was home in the mountains, on old logging trails, running through the underbrush, diving into snow banks, chasing fun smells, searching–there was not a hole she would not stuff her head into. Daisy Bottom was home in the city, on long walks, smelling fire hydrants and garbage cans, swimming in urban fountains, chasing squirrels, searching–she had a knack for always getting into things when you weren’t looking.

For all her trickery, Daisy was a good canine citizen. She spent hours at nursing homes and children’s hospitals letting the elderly pet her and showing off for children. She had more education than most college grads. She could do more tricks than most good magicians. She knew her right from left, could spin both ways, drop down, pop up, beg, bow, say her prayers, shake hands and give high fives or high tens, jump through arms, close doors behind her, and grab a tissue if you sneezed. When she went up to a bed, she would sit down and put her paw up on the mattress and let the child or the old woman pet her as long as they wanted.

Daisy had chandelier ears we called chandelears. She brought joy to people who saw her with her dark brown human eyes and speckled neck and ever-changing hairstyles–she could look like a scruffy wolf, the Tramp (from Lady and the Tramp), a schnauzer, or some unknown, wild canine cousin just visiting.

She was good at expressing herself. She had a vocal range like no other–she could plead, she could sigh, she could howl, she could moan, she could sing, she could whine, and she could bark. But she had a funny bark, a bark not quite a bark for a dog her size, and you could kind of tell she knew it.

Daisy Mae was an adventure. She loved to run, to chase, to be chased, to sprint along the ocean’s edge with the waves rolling in, to swim–if there was water, she was in it. She loved road trips. When she saw the bags come out, she would weave around them and pant. She would stand by the door and run to the car.

Our house was Daisy’s territory. She patrolled the grounds and made sure nothing was amiss. No living thing was allowed in its boundaries. Two or three times a night, she would get out of bed and make her way through the house, out into the yard, and around the perimeter. We once watched her herd children like they were sheep. In fact, when we took Daisy to try to herd sheep, it was like she’d been doing it her entire life–within seconds, she had them corralled, the minder baffled and impressed.

My wife rescued Daisy 18 years ago. She went to the Seattle Animal Shelter, took one look at Daisy and they were a family. When she was young, it was just the two of them. Daisy went to work all over the state with her every day. She ate what Lolly ate. She went where Lolly went.

I very strongly believe Daisy saw it differently. I very strongly believe Daisy was annoyed with herself for getting caught by some crafty animal control officer, that she had an intricate, fool-proof plan to escape, but then…she met Lolly, decided to give her a chance, and fell in love. She was never un-wild, she just chose to let herself wear a collar, do some tricks for treats, tolerate a half-brother named Linus, sleep in a big comfy bed between two people, and keep them safe, keep them warm, make them happy.

Daisy got old. She slowed down. She needed more help. She needed special food. When she wanted to smell something she would drop down onto all fours and refuse to move. She still loved the outside. She wanted to go on walks–we bought her a pet carriage and took her all over the city.

She got cancer.

All dogs go to heaven. Daisy left on a bright, warm, sunny day after a weekend filled with her favorite things, and a final day with her favorite person. It doesn’t feel like anything will ever be the same around here. Daisy was too important, too unique, too special. We like to believe in reincarnation. We like to believe when Daisy gets asked what she’d like to go back as, she decides on a rescue dog.

 

Paolino Makes a Year End Appeal

Posted on by Carol Eicher

You can help a homeless animal unwrap health, happiness and a new start this holiday season. As we head toward the holidays, we hope you’ll remember the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation on your gift giving list, to help animals like little Paolino. Despite a heartbreaking odyssey, Paolino has a lot of living left to do.

After his longtime guardian suddenly passed away, Paolino stayed with a family friend while they searched for a permanent home for him. But one day the little great escape artist slipped from his temporary guardian’s home and was struck by a car and greatly injured. Fortunately, a Good Samaritan rushed him to the nearest vet where he was stabilized, given pain relief, and transferred to Seattle Animal Shelter. His temporary family was reached but they knew they couldn’t cover his bills and surrendered him.

But there was hope. Seattle Animal Shelter’s in-house medical team provided Paolino the care he needed. His back leg required amputation and after surgery, Paolino was immediately sent home with a loving and experienced foster home to rest and rehabilitate. He was lucky too as his forever family would find him soon.

Laura had been following Paolino’s journey since the first day she saw his picture online – the day of the car accident. Her family was looking for a new companion for their elderly dog Kiyoto, and waited to meet Paolino while he recovered. Now, Paolino and Kiyoto are doggie BFFs. Laura said “Paolino has overcome so much, and every day he reveals a little more of himself,” Laura explains fondly. “His attitude tells us that he knows his painful days are in the past, and he has a lot of living to do.”

Please give a gift today online at https://www.seattleanimalshelterfoundation.org/how-to-help/donate/ and give an animal like Paolino lasting happiness. Thousands of animals like Paolino find their way to Seattle Animal Shelter every year, and each one needs care and support. With your help, Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation funds new and innovative programs to provide more comprehensive and compassionate care to animals in need.