Trish and Stephen are longtime volunteers of Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS). Their story with SAS began in 2004 when they adopted their dog, Titus, from the shelter. About a month later, they became official volunteers. As they were working to get Titus (a husky-lab mix) acclimated to their Lower Queen Anne condo, a dog named Timber went into the foster care of Trish and Stephen after a short stay at the shelter. Staff noticed that Timber was resource guarding his food and exhibiting very stressed behavior; they thought it would be best that he went to a foster home, instead of staying at the shelter, until he found his forever home. While Trish and Stephen were a little wary at first because they weren’t sure how Titus would react, they agreed. Thankfully, Titus calmed down immediately once Timber was in the home; Timber also enjoyed having a play buddy in Titus. Over the first couple of weeks, they fed Timber by hand every day, gradually moving to the bowl until Timber’s resource guarding disappeared. Seeing the strong connection Titus and Timber had with each other (Trish and Stephen lovingly called the two buddies “TNT”), they decided to adopt Timber, as well — making Timber’s journey to his forever home a short and sweet one.
About a year or two after Timber was officially theirs, Trish and Stephen brought in another foster, Noodle. The shelter’s kennels were going though renovation, and foster dog volunteers were asked to take care of some of the dogs while the kennels were getting fixed. Enter: Noodle, a 3 to –6-month-old greyhound mix. While Trish and Stephen were a little worried about bringing in a third male into their one-bedroom condo, Noodle joined the group. Thankfully, the experience went very well. Noodle settled in and was the quietest and best behaved out of all three. During their foster care, Trish and Stephen brought Noodle over to Stephen’s sister’s house. She fell in love with Noodle and adopted him a month later.
Trish and Stephen continued to walk dogs every week at the shelter and took in about ten additional foster dogs. During this time, they moved from their Lower Queen Anne condo to a house, which made fostering more manageable and easier. Diamond, another foster dog of Trish and Stephen, also found her forever home with them. Unfortunately, Titus was having health issues; they became worried about Timber, too, since the duo had become so close. After some time fostering Diamond, they could see the connection she had with TNT and decided to make her a permanent member of the household, as well.
Diamond and puppy Leo. TOP left to right: Timber, Diamond, Titus
After a few years, Titus and Timber passed away. While Diamond was enjoying all the love, dog food, and attention from Trish and Stephen, they thought it would be good for her to have a buddy. They decided to foster a puppy. After about three days, Diamond decided Leo (the foster puppy) was an acceptable addition to the household. Four-and-a-half years later, Leo weighs 75 pounds and is still a puppy at heart.
Today, Trish and Stephen continue to walk dogs at SAS, though their frequency has gone down a bit due to the pandemic. While they have stopped fostering dogs, Trish and Stephen decided to foster four guinea pigs from SAS, after the organization seized more than 200 animals in a suspected animal cruelty case. They’ve had fun with all their foster animals throughout the years and appreciated the many people they have met along the way. They’ve enjoyed the learning opportunities they’ve had and, of course, appreciated all of the animals they’ve encountered along the way. They are also grateful for the community support the shelter receives, which help make their volunteering possible.
2012 Furry 5k
Events like Furry 5K support the valuable work volunteers like Trish and Stephen do. “The Furry 5K has been a wonderful opportunity to bring dogs and their owners together in one place to benefit all of the furry beings passing through SAS. So many people consider their pets regular members of their families, and Furry 5K celebrates that. It’s also a reminder that there are pets-to-be at the shelter, awaiting their forever homes,” says Trish. “To our donors, please know that what you have given has not only saved lives but has allowed dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles, and others to flourish in foster care and new homes.”
Support and celebrate the work done by wonderful SAS volunteers like Trish and Stephen by registering for Furry 5K or donating to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation.
Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) is part of a network of animal welfare organizations that are dedicated to the well-being of animals in Washington state. SAS often partners with other organizations to help meet the needs of animals in its care and on special projects.
When an animal has needs that cannot be met by SAS, the shelter looks to peer organizations to transfer an animal to a group that is more equipped to meet the animal’s needs. For example, when there is a behavioral need for a specific breed, such as a German Shepherd, SAS will reach out to an organization like Washington German Shepherd Rescue — which may be better equipped to rehabilitate and responsibly rehome the animal. Similarly, if SAS is at capacity and cannot take on more animals, the shelter will work with partners such as Seattle Humane and Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) to find a place for the animals.
A group of 220 neglected animals was recently brought into SAS, which limited its ability to take on more animals from owner relinquishments. Fortunately, the shelter s to Seattle Humane and RASKC. SAS has also worked to transfer animals to other organizations both in and out of Washington state.
SAS has also worked closely with organizations to meet fostering needs. With the intake of the 220 neglected animals, SAS was unable to find foster homes for all the animals who needed it. Thankfully, the shelter was able to “borrow” established foster parents from other organizations. By utilizing the foster parent resources from partner organizations, SAS was able to get animals into foster homes quicker than if it relied solely on trying to expand its own foster parent base by training a new set of foster parents.
Another example of cross-organization collaboration is the mobile pet food banks that were held in 2020 by SAS and other groups. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many pet owners have faced economic difficulties and have been unable to provide for pets in their care. SAS, Seattle Humane, RASKC, Auburn Valley Humane Society, and Pasado’s Safe Haven came together to offer pet food and supplies to community members in need through mobile pet food banks. The food banks were staffed with team members and volunteers across different groups within SAS. Pet owners could drive or walk up and grab food and supplies for their pets.
A mobile pet food bank held in 2020. Top photo: SAS participates in “Wings of Rescue” to help alleviate overcrowding at Los Angeles County shelters.A friendly visitor and beneficiary of a 2020 mobile pet food bank held by SAS and other organizations.
SAS is exploring other ways to help pet owners beyond mobile pet food banks, including potentially partnering on Seattle Humane’s a Pets for Life program — which is focused on providing resources to pet owners so they don’t have to give their pet away or surrender them to a shelter. Resources of this program range from providing low or no-cost medical and behavioral support, fixing fences, grooming assistance, providing proper leashes, and even providing financial assistance for a pet deposit in an apartment rental.
To help support SAS’s community efforts, Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) has provided funding for distribution of more resources and supplies to the community. For World Rabies Day (September 28), SAS partnered with The Doney Coe Pet Clinc to administer vaccines and provide other supplies to pet owners. Funds from SASF allowed SAS to purchase the vaccines and other supplies needed for this special event.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has made a large impact on many lives and organizations, the dedication, passion and fierce advocacy for animal well-being has not wavered among these groups. Thanks to the collaborative efforts and strong partnerships between SAS, Seattle Humane and more, animals in the region and Washington state continue to receive the care they deserve.
If you’re interested in supporting the work and special projects of Seattle Animal Shelter, consider donating to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation.
In a year defined by many challenges, Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) continues to find reasons to celebrate.
Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS), like many animal shelters across the country, had to make adjustments at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to prioritize the health and care of the animals, as well as the health of the shelter staff. Thankfully, SAS’s volunteer team of foster parents were ready to help. These volunteers stepped up to provide safe spaces for the shelter’s animals to recover and thrive as they made their journey to their forever homes. Foster parents have enabled the shelter to continue to take in animals (including most recently, a group of 220 neglected animals in a single day), despite continued access and space limitations as a result of COVID-19 precautions.
Kari and a former critter foster
SAS is extremely fortunate to have foster parents like Kari Pelaez, who has been fostering since 2018 and has fostered many of the shelter’s critters. Kari continued to work closely with SAS to provide the animals she was caring for with additional medical assistance as needed. She brought in a few of the guinea pigs she was fostering to get the medical attention they needed.
“I had two boys, Jeremiah and Jeremy, who had had some medical issues. They were very sweet despite being neglected in their earlier life. The vets at SAS fixed them up, and they were adopted,” shares Kari. “SAS is exceptionally thorough with their pet care. Every critter is cared for in the best possible way.”
Jeremiah and Jeremy
Other guinea pigs under Kari’s care have ranged from babies to pregnant mothers who required extra monitoring. While caring for Daphne and Beatrice, Kari charted their weight frequently and provided them with calcium-rich hay which is good for expectant guinea pig moms and pups. “There came a point where Daphne was so big, she laid down a lot. I watched her closely and often. I also kept their habitat as clean as possible because I knew once the pups came, I wouldn’t want to disturb them too much.”
Daphne (left) and Beatrice (right), both expectant mothers that were cared for by Kari.
In addition to working closely with the vet team at SAS, Kari has also worked closely with the shelter’s Animal Care Officers to help facilitate potential adopter visits. “A few weeks ago, I took Beatrice the guinea pig to meet potential adopters. We were facilitating a supervised visit between Beatrice and the adopters’ current pig. An Animal Care Officer came in to help facilitate the visit and interaction. We chatted, and he shared his appreciation for the foster team. It’s always nice to be appreciated.”
SAS foster parents are also very close with one another and are always willing to offer a helping hand to their fellow volunteers. “The Critter foster team is great – we work with each other by sharing photos, asking questions, offering advice and helping with vacations,” shares Kari. SAS’s 63 critter foster homes have cared for 159 critters so far in 2020.
The support foster parents have provided SAS goes beyond just enabling them to continue taking in animals. Their care helps prepare the animals that go through SAS in their future forever homes. “I think it’s helpful for critters to live in a home, with people, with both the quiet and activity that comes in a family environment,” says Kari. “I think we also get crucial information about the animals themselves when we live with them and observe them in a home environment. By getting to know the animals’ individual personalities, we have a better chance at placing them in the best possible forever home. And that is ultimately the goal.”
Some baby guinea pigs Kari helps feed, weigh, and clean up after.
If you are interested in celebrating the important work that SAS and volunteers like Kari have done this year and continue to do, consider donating to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation. “Donations to SASF help fund all the things most people don’t see,” Kari says. SASF helps fund things like education, operational costs, and veterinary expenses for SAS.
“The work done by SAS and SASF matters: it matters to our community, to potential adopters, and most importantly, it matters to the animals.”
On November 7, 2019, Brandi Homeier was recognized by the Seattle City Attorney’s Office with the Domestic Violence in Policing Award. These awards are given out by the Attorney’s office to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond and/or performed outstanding service in their work as it relates to domestic violence. Brandi was recognized both as a representative of the Seattle Animal Shelter and as an individual, in recognition of her passion and dedication to her job.
Brandi began her work in animal welfare as a Licensed Veterinary Technician for 8 years before seeing a job posting for an Animal Control Officer at the Seattle Animal Shelter. She quickly jumped on the opportunity, realizing she could get paid to work at a shelter. Brandi worked in the Animal Control Officer position for 8 years before taking on her role as supervisor.
As a Field Services Supervisor, Brandi handles the logistical and administrative tasks such as scheduling, assisting customers and handling complaints for her team. Brandi also audits completed calls to the team, secures and serves search/seizure warrants, works with the Services office prosecution team, and last but not least — lets dogs hang out in her office. In addition, Brandi assists in and oversees in investigations for criminal-level offenses by:
Speaking to officers about angles to take and things to ask and look for in their cases
Speaking to suspects, explaining processes, and attending appeal meetings (if their animal has been seized)
Assisting veterinarians during exams and taking photos/collecting evidence
Working with filing prosecutor to ensure that there is enough evidence found to proceed with the case
Working with trial prosecutors with regards to evidence and prepping involved agency members before testifying
Keeping the animal care team abreast of the status of ‘case hold’ animals
Although there is a lot of work and a lot of steps involved in handling cases, Brandi finds the work extremely rewarding. “The feeling of being able to directly intervene and improve quality of life is amazing,” notes Brandi.
Left to right: Kelly Harris (Chief of Criminal Division of City Attorney’s Office), Catherine Riedo, Brandi Homeier, Alyssa Shaw
Brandi and her team aim to not only protect the well-being of pets, but of humans as well. 52% of defendants in Seattle that have been charged with animal cruelty in the last 5-10 years have been found to have a domestic violence history. Because of this link (and their love of animals), three women within the Domestic Violence unit of the City Attorney’s Office have become the dedicated Animal Cruelty prosecution team for Brandi and her team. Alyssa Shaw, a Victim Advocate in this team, says the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty has been getting more and more attention through research done with survivors of domestic violence. In one study, 71% of women surveyed in a domestic violence shelter reported their partners had actually hurt or threatened their companion animal. It has also been shown that the welfare of animals is a contributing factor for survivors trying to flee their abusive homes. In addition to working with Alyssa, Brandi also works with Victoria VanNocken, who is responsible for filing cases as they come through to this unit through Seattle Animal Shelter and the Seattle Police Department. Catherine Riedo is the third member of the Animal Cruelty team, and is responsible for handling the case once it is filed through negotiations and trial.
Alyssa, Victoria and Catherine were the ones who nominated Brandi for the Domestic Violence in Policing Award. When asked why they submitted the nomination, Alyssa said, “It was because of her absolute dedication to her work as well as her commitment to make sure Seattle is a safe place for humans and animals.”
Alyssa cited one specific case when Brandi helped with a search warrant to allow for a dog to be temporarily taken by Seattle Animal Shelter because of cruelty allegations. Although Brandi was off-duty, she observed something that aided the case and contacted the police to execute the search warrant.
“This is just a small example of the endless list of things that Brandi does for us and her team, and that also shows how invested she is in her cases and to keeping the community safe,” Alyssa says.
The work of Brandi, her team, and the partners in the City Attorney’s Office is important and integral to the animal welfare of the community. We are grateful for the work that they do day in and day out to protect the well-being of animals in Seattle.
If you are able, consider donating to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation to support this collaborative program between Seattle Animal Shelter and the City Attorney’s office.
Don’t forget to join us for our biggest fundraising event of the year, Furevermore Auction & Gala, for a free, virtual event starting November 9th and continuing with a real time auction on November 14th.
The Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation is recruiting for new Board Members to start in 2021! We currently have openings for Development and Fundraising, Governance and Legal, Community Events (Furry 5K), and Finance Committee Lead. If interested, please reach out directly to EricaF@seattleanimalshelterfoundation.org with your resume and a note regarding which role you’re inquiring about.
Development and Fundraising: Assists the organization’s fundraising initiatives and helps develop strategies for the cultivation of SASF’s donor base.
Governance and Legal: Oversees compliance of the Foundation, as well as manages all Foundation agreements and contracts
Community Events and Furry 5K: Manages and plans all community events in addition to one of our largest annual fundraisers, the Furry 5K
Finance Committee Lead: Maintains SASF’s accounts, and assists in all financial transactions and tax filings.
More details and full volunteer descriptions can be found on our volunteer page. To learn more about the current Board Members, please visit our website.
Kimberlee Spicer is the Animal Behaviorist Lead at Seattle Animal Shelter. She started at SAS in January 2020. We recently had the chance to chat with her about what she does as an animal behaviorist and why it’s important.
What is your background? Have you worked for other shelters/rescues before?
I started volunteering with cats when I was 13 years old at my local pet store. At the ages of 15-18, I spent a lot of my free time just visiting shelters in southern California and sitting outside kennels, talking and petting the dogs. I was that kid that when I was over at my friend’s house — I usually was spending time with their pets vs. playing or hanging out with my friends.
Growing up, we always had cats. But it wasn’t until I was 8 years old when we adopted my first dog at a local adoption event. Ironically, I picked the shutdown, terrified-of-the-world 1-year old shepherd mix. It wasn’t until I started working with animals professionally that I realized my first dog was a “behavior case.” He was under socialized, fearful of strangers (especially men), sound sensitive, and had a lot of body-handling sensitivities.
I started working with animals professionally about 9.5 years ago when I was hired as an adoption counselor at Homeward Pet Adoption Center in Woodinville, WA. I very quickly realized that working with animals is exactly where I needed and wanted to be. At that time, we did not have a behavior department and animals were not being trained. About a year into working there, leadership announced they were going to work with a veterinary behaviorist on a dog that came into the shelter and they wanted to know if we knew volunteers that may be interested in implementing the training. That piqued my interest, and I responded asking if staff could also participate in the training. With the training, I got to work with one of the 72 veterinary behaviorists in the country, Dr. Wailani Sung, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB. Being able to work with Dr. Sung, get her feedback, and seeing a dog progress with the use of evidenced-based positive reinforcement training just lit a fire in me and the rest is history.
Since then, I have become a certified canine behavior consultant (CBCC-KA), certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and Fear Free Certified Professional. I have attended countless workshops given by top veterinary behaviorists like Dr. Sung.
I literally spend my downtime reading behavior books and watching webinars… there is so much information out there! While it can be overwhelming sometimes, I am just grateful that the animal training world is evolving and people are really considering how our learners are feeling.
Why do you work in the animal behavior field?
I work in the animal field because it is part of who I am. My passion truly is working with behavior case animals in a shelter environment, and I am humbled to do what I love every day. I enjoy having a better understanding why animals, humans included, do what they do. It is having that understanding and asking ourselves, “What is going on in the environment that is making the learner respond in that way, and how can I change that for them?” is just so fascinating to me. I also thoroughly enjoy the education component. Despite what people may think, working in the animal behavior field requires working with people A LOT! I enjoy that piece and find it crucial because I am just one person; I can’t do behavior modification with every animal in every shelter, but I can share my knowledge with others so they can implement strategies with their own pets or animals in shelters.
What is your favorite part about your job at SAS?
Gosh, just one?! I enjoy almost all aspects of my job. I am grateful to be working with such an amazing group of staff members that work day and night and are dedicated to the betterment of animals and people. I am grateful to work with such a dedicated group of volunteers that devote so much of their time, resources and love to help our animals.
I thrive when working with the animals and feel so humbled to be a chapter in their lives… but if I truly had to pick just one favorite part of my job, it would be getting that post-adoption email that the animal you worked so hard on training, enrichment, foster support, adoption counseling, etc., found their forever home and is thriving. Knowing that an animal may have been euthanized elsewhere, if weren’t for the behavior programs I am lucky to be a part of, is one of the most rewarding parts of the job — I would call it my favorite part.
What is a behavior success story that you were a part of recently?
Each story has an element of success, as there is always something I can take from each animal and learn and grow from. Recently, I worked with an adoptable dog named Tippi. She has fear-based aggression towards people; I am sure you can imagine a dog who is uncomfortable with people, then put in a shelter with nothing but strangers, can be a scary picture. We gave her a few days to decompress, and I began working with her through a baby gate. After a couple of sessions, I was able to take her on walks — and within a week, she was walking with all staff. The week after, she was working with our entire dog behavior team. It turns out Tippi is incredibly smart and so affectionate with her people. She has flourished in a foster home, and they are teaching her tricks every day. While it takes her a little time to warm up to new people, once you are in, you are in and she loves you for life! Tippi is another dog that if she ended up elsewhere, she may not have had the same chance or opportunities as she has had at SAS.
Why is behavior training important?
I believe the most important thing someone could do for their pets is just take the time to learn about animal body language. A lot of the time we hear from people, “it came out of nowhere,” when in reality our animals are communicating to us all the time — but most people just don’t have the knowledge or training to understand what our animals are saying to us and miss the signals they are sharing with us.
A lot of negative situations and outcomes can be avoided if more people had more education about animal body language. Training is so important on many levels: it helps create a bond between the person and their learner; it helps our learners understand what we may want from them; and most importantly, it is a great form of mental enrichment for our animals. It is not just enough to put a roof over our animals’ heads and feed them — we should be engaging our animals with daily mental and physical enrichment. A handful of behavior challenges are present because our animals are bored and frustrated; if we take the time to understand what they are communicating to us and implement that daily mental and physical enrichment, you will see a decrease in most unwanted behaviors.
The SAS Animal Behavior team and training program is financially supported by donors of the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation. Visit the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation‘s website to donate.
The 2020 Furry 5K is fast approaching on August 16, and our Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation Board and volunteers have been hard at work making sure this year’s first-ever virtual event is a success. Learn more about what this annual FUNdraiser means to them and how YOU can help raise funds for Seattle Animal Shelter animals.
How have you participated in Furry 5K in years past, and what does the event mean to you?
I’ve fostered over a dozen cats in the past 4 years. Fundraising events like the Furry 5K afford my foster cats to get the medical care they needed. Thanks to Furry 5K participants, I know pets in need of help will keep getting the care they need until they find their forever homes.
— Katy Thweatt, Marketing Co-Chair
Emily and her dog, Mila
Running in the Furry 5K has been a family tradition for 5 years! I am excited to participate in a whole new way this year, walking with my 10-year-old lab and newly adopted 10-year-old dachshund mix on the Burke-Gilman Trail. Go #Furry5K!
— Emily Rondestvedt, Auction Co-Chair
I was fairly new to Seattle when a friend invited me to the Furry 5K a few years ago. It was my first introduction to all of the really important work that the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) does in the area… Little did I know that SAS and the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation were about to be a huge part of my life over the following years! I loved the idea of being part of an animal-loving community, and started volunteering for the foundation shortly after. I’m now on my second year of the Board.
— Krystle Gomez, Governance Co-Chair
This is my first Furry 5K! With us moving virtual, it’s been an opportunity to think about ways we can get those who are not runners — and even not in Seattle — supporting this important fundraising initiative.
— Sarah Yacoub, Marketing Co-Chair
After learning about SAS and the foundation, I became a volunteer for the Furry 5K in June 2017. Fast forward to October… I saw a volunteer board member position was open for the foundation. I applied, interviewed and now I’m in my third year of my 3-year term as a Board member. It means a lot each year to see people from all walks of life coming out to support animals by walking, running or even riding (strollers, wheel chairs) to the finish line. Everyone having a good time while supporting a cause they believe in is just really awesome to witness.
—Tiffany Daily, Secretary & Governance Co-Chair
I’ve participated in the Furry 5K since 2017, after I first became involved with SAS through a capstone project in grad school. The event is a fun day where you get to be surrounded by hundreds of dogs and their owners who are supporting the shelter through their participation. It’s always wonderful to see the sheer number of people who sign up, because I know we’re all coming together to help save Seattle’s animals.
— Cassie Ballering, Development Committee
I have participated in seven Furry 5K runs: twice as a runner/walker, and five times as an SASF Board member — which means volunteering before, during and after the Furry 5K.
— Sue Boivin, Board President
This is my first year! I’m excited to participate.
— Sarah Coppock, Auction Co-Chair
I’ve volunteered for the last three years — every year since I moved to Seattle. I’ve never been involved in an event that brings such joy to participants, runners and walkers, as well as the incredible causes that the Furry 5K supports. When I first saw the runners, walkers, dogs and cats (!) all having such a great time, I was hooked!
— Richard Todd, Development Committee
Now that the Furry 5K is going virtual this year, how do you plan to participate? Will your pet(s) be joining you?
Richard’s cat, Ellum, participates in the Furry 5K by napping.
I’m going to be walking the 5K with a foster dog from Seattle Animal Shelter! My cat is getting to an advanced age and HATES her harness, so I might chase her in circles at home for 5K… or I might just give her treats. I’m also running a fundraising team at my work.
— Richard
I will take a long hike with my pups and make sure that I have my mask on and practice social distancing. We are thinking of a lake hike so that we can pack a lunch and the dogs can get to cool off. My cat might not be in the mood for a hike, but the dogs will be so happy!
— Sue
I’m finding a neighborhood I don’t regularly walk in and exploring some new sites! I’ve tried putting Mimi, my current foster cat, in a cat leash. It hasn’t gone well so far so she’ll most likely be cheering me on from home.
— Katy
I’m planning on running 5k or more with my dog Daphne (we’ve been training!) and raising money for SASF through my personal fundraising page. I told my friends and family I would running an extra 1k for every $20 donated above $100.
— Sarah C-P.
I will be social distance running with a friend and her dog in our neighborhood during the week of the event.
— Cassie
Steve, my rescue mix and I will walk, probably slowly for 5K; Steve is nine so he’s not much of a runner. I’ll be lucky to get him off the couch for the walk!
— Sarah Y.
Ginger (my adopted pup) and I will enjoy a leisurely 5K around Green Lake! She likes to stop and smell all the spots and we may stop for a puppuccino from Starbucks en route. Ginger may be tiny, but she loves her walks!
— Krystle
Krystle and her dog, Ginger.
Ginger (my adopted pup) and I will enjoy a leisurely 5K around Green Lake! She likes to stop and smell all the spots and we may stop for a puppuccino from Starbucks en route. Ginger may be tiny, but she loves her walks!
— Krystle
What tips do you have for reaching out to networks, friends and family for team fundraising?
Every dollar helps, so when I reach out to friends and family, I let them know that any amount is appreciated. I’ve found most people are happy to give for a great cause!
— Krystle
Share your support for the Furry 5K on social media — and like, comment on and share what SASF is posting on their pages. The more awareness we can bring to the event, the more money we can raise to help dogs, cats and critters.
— Sarah Y.
Provide them with a personal story of why you support SAS/SASF and why it would mean so much for them to contribute funds to your team.
— Cassie
Katy and her SAS foster cat, Barley
I share how the Seattle Animal Shelter has helped my pets personally. One of my foster cats, Barley, needed two radioactive iodine treatments for hyperthyroidism. He was able to get the care he needed without the shelter having to consider cost.
— Katy
Don’t be shy. Know that every dollar raised helps save homeless and abandoned animals in Seattle. There are so many that need our support right now. Let them know that you are part of a community of passionate folks that want to make a difference in the lives of Seattle homeless animals. Together we can give deserving animals a second chance at happiness, love and finding their forever home! Everyone is welcome, and we want everyone to be a part of this life changing work.
— Sue
I like to email family and friends individually, and personalize my outreach to each person based on my relationship with them.
— Sarah C-P.
Reach out! Ask! Show them the work of the Foundation and the shelter. It’s a great event — people will thank you for getting them involved.
— Richard
Why is supporting the Furry 5K so important for SASF?
The Furry 5K is one of our two big fundraisers each year. With all that’s gone on in 2020, we expect the shelter to support more pets and pet owners than ever in upcoming months. With money raised from this event, we ensure that cats, dogs and critters have a safe space to heal and await their forever families.
— Katy
Sarah and her dog, Daphne
Supporting Furry 5K is important because it’s a great opportunity to raise crucial funds for dogs, cats and critters in our community. It’s also an opportunity for more people to learn about SASF and the amazing work the organization does.
— Sarah C-P.
Furry 5K is really all about bringing the community together to help animals in need. This year, I think we can all use a little positivity and (socially distanced) togetherness… and exercise! That’s a win, win, win — all in support of animals who really need our help.
— Krystle
With so much uncertainty and challenges in today’s current environment, this is one way we can demonstrate what remains important to many of us. Non-profit organizations face completely new challenges in 2020, so supporting events like Furry 5K help ensure continuity of service to Seattle’s animals.
— Sarah Y.
This event is important for raising funds to save the lives of animals in Seattle, and also a great way to show your community support. The Furry 5k is an annual event and it not only allows us to share stories about ways that SASF has helped animals in the community, but showcases our sponsors and gives them the opportunity to promote their local businesses.
— Cassie
It raises vital funds for animals in our community who need help. It brings Seattle animal lovers together (virtually or otherwise). It’s an excuse to get outside in the summer and work off that ice cream!
— Richard
Furry 5K is such a beloved community event for such a noble cause. It is one of three major fundraising events that SASF puts on every year to ensure that the Seattle Animal Shelter has enough funds to continue to do their good work — which is to save as many lives as possible. This event ensures every animal that enters SAS is treated as an individual and has everything it needs for a chance at lasting happiness — including medical care, training, a soft place to land, protection from abusive and cruel situations, and of course love, understanding and patience.
— Sue
There’s still time to join other animal lovers in the Seattle area to raise money for the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation. Register your team today for this year’s virtual Furry 5K on August 16.
To protect the health and safety of our community by mitigating the impact of COVID-19, the public-facing customer service counters of the Seattle Animal Shelter closed on Monday, March 16. Shelter staff will evaluate a timeline for reopening as the outbreak evolves. You can expect more information to come your way related to potential impacts to SAS and its programs, including lost and found services and adoptions.
Throughout the closure, Seattle Animal Shelter is available to help you over the phone or online during the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and can be reached in the following ways:
Seattle Animal Shelter staff and volunteers are prioritizing the health and well-being of the animals under their care. As of right now, the CDC reports there is no evidence that companion animals including pets can spread COVID-19. We recommend you follow the CDC or the World Organisation for Animal Health for up-to-date insights on animals and COVID-19.
Due to the risks posed by COVID-19, the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation has postponed our Urban Family Brewing fundraising event. We hope to share rescheduled event details in the coming weeks. Follow our Urban Family brewing Facebook event for updates.
We don’t know what the next few weeks or months look like for the Seattle Animal Shelter. But Seattle Animal Shelter has been caring for Seattle’s pets for nearly 50 years, and doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon.
Currently, we still plan to hold the Furry 5K on Sunday, June 14th. All the money raised from this event goes to support the Seattle Animal Shelter.
To provide support in other ways, please follow the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation on Facebook and Instagram, or subscribe to our email newsletter to be alerted about the latest shelter needs. In the coming days, we’ll share requests for donations, volunteers, or foster parents as we learn more about how the shelter will be operating and their most pressing needs.
Caring for Seattle’s animals and mitigating any impacts of this closure are our top priorities right now, and we appreciate your support.
Lost pets found their way home. Abused pups were rescued and shown how to trust again. Sick and injured animals were rehabilitated. Children adopted their first pets. This is only a small snapshot of what happened inside the walls of the Seattle Animal Shelter in 2019. Here’s a deeper look at what happened this year and how it will impact the shelter in the new decade to come:
By the numbers
It was an incredible year for Seattle’s homeless animals; in 2019, the Seattle Animal Shelter took in a total of 1,056 cats, 891 dogs, and 358 critters. Of those, 844 dogs, 916 cats, and 349 critters adopted, transferred for adoption elsewhere, or reunited to their owners. The shelter continues to stay well above a 90 percent live release rate (the percentage of live outcomes compared to overall outcomes).
Growing our volunteer community
This year, the shelter welcomed 236 new volunteers! This includes volunteer foster parents, behavior team volunteers, in-shelter volunteers, Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) volunteers, and more. Our incredible volunteers work 365 days a year and are extremely dedicated. They save thousands of animal lives each year. Without them, the shelter would not be the success it is today.
New staff members
In 2019, the shelter welcomed a new member to its animal control team, which handles all manner of cases, commonly those of abuse, neglect cruelty, injured and sick animals, and aggressive animals. The shelter also brought on its first full-time animal behaviorist. Kimberlee Spicer is a CPDT-KA and Fear Free Certified trainer. She formerly worked with Homeward Pet Adoption Center, starting as an adoption counselor, then a dog behavior coordinator, and finally as an animal behavior manager.
Since 2016, the shelter’s behavior training program has helped at-risk dogs overcome their fears and start to trust humans again through positive behavior modification techniques. It also helps cats find the right homes through animal profiling, which matches a cat’s personality type to an adopter. Learn more about the behavior program here. This unique program is entirely funded by SASF donors. With a full-time behaviorist on board, the shelter can now expand its training of volunteers and staff to assure every animal with special needs benefits from the program.
Donations
Our annual Furevermore Fundraising Gala raised $213,000 alone. Our Furry 5K raised more than $114,000. (Get details on our 2020 events here!) While helping supplement shelter essentials such as veterinary care, animal control, food and supplies, staffing, spaying and neutering, and facility upkeep, this funding also supports a range of programs that go beyond what the City of Seattle can finance, including our Behavioral Training, Foster, and Fospice programs.
For this feature, we like to showcase people who do the most important work at Seattle Animal Shelter. We liken them to guardian angels who show up day-in and day-out to protect and ensure that shelter animals are cared for when they’re most vulnerable. This month, we meet Courtney Ann Bunn, an Animal Care Officer at Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS). She’s had a soft spot for animals ever since she was a little girl. Courtney is one of our local heroes. Next time when you see her, say hi or give her a fist bump!
How long have you been with Seattle Animal Shelter and what is your role?
I’ve been with the City and in my current position since March of 2016.
What was your path to the field of animal welfare work and how did you get to the shelter?
Animal welfare has always been my passion. When I was a kid, I would find injured or orphaned animals and make sure they received the care they needed. Because of my passion in animals, I decided to study zoology and have a career involving animal care. I got my degree in Zoology at Washington State University (WSU).
While in school I worked as a vet assistant and a dog trainer. After graduating from college, I worked as an exotic animal trainer and zoo keeper for 7 years at various zoos around the country. It was so much fun working with exotic animals. After my husband and I got married and wanted to start a family, I wanted to shift my career to something a little less physically demanding but still involving animal care. I always wanted to work at SAS and heard wonderful things about the shelter, so I applied for this role. SAS is truly a great place and I feel very fulfilled in my job.
What is a typical day like?
A typical day involves lots of movement, many hats being worn and expecting the unexpected. I love that every day is unique. You never know what’s going to walk through the door animal-wise or client-wise. We wear lots of hats in this position from dealing with all aspects of animal care and welfare with a variety of species, to working with partner organizations to transfer animals in and out, to working along with the public to intake or release animals.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I love finding the perfect companion for a family and finding the right forever home for an animal.
Are there memorable animals who stick out in your mind?
There are so many special animals who have made a lasting impression on me.
One of them was Ellie who showed up as a stray. But from day one at the shelter, she was such a cool, calm and friendly cat. She tolerated everyone and everything. Ellie was such a perfect cat that I knew I had to take her home. I knew she would blend right in to a household with two dogs and a toddler. She gets along very well with them and she is the sweetest cat ever.
I spend a lot of time working with the shy, scared dogs at Seattle Animal Shelter. I tend to gravitate towards them. Howie is one that came to mind. He came in with a bite history. He was scared, shy and growly when he first came to the shelter. Once he was out of bite quarantine, I started spending a lot of time with him. He finally came out of his shell and became the friendliest dog ever. He had a happy, successful adoption.
Another one was Rockwell. He was not shy but a rambunctious pit bull who was in our care for quite some time. He was left tethered outside and got out and nipped a biker’s leg. Rockwell came to us on bite quarantine and we tried to help him settle in. He was a handful at first, but I fell in love with him right away. We gradually formed a connection and began to work well together. Instead of dragging me down the street like he did at first, Rockwell started listening to my commands. When I went in in his kennel, he would just sit in my lap. Rockwell eventually let his guard down and became a friendly dog. I was so happy that he was able to find his forever home.
The shy, scared, growly ones are my favorites because I love to see them transform and come out of their shells. We have one currently in foster named Noodle, who was snappy and scared when she first came in. She also had lots of body handling issues. Our behavior team and I found a way to work with her and she is now this energetic and confident girl in foster care waiting for her forever home. How amazing!
Who are your pets at home
I’ve got three critters at home! I have a rescue border collie mix named Joey who is 15 years old. I have a 12-year-old Jack Russel Terrier appropriately named Napoleon and a cat who I adopted from the Seattle Animal Shelter a year ago named Ellie.
What are your favorite activities outside of SAS?
I love to go on adventures with my husband and son. We go for hikes, camping trips, kayaking, paddle boarding, to name a few. We also like exploring different community events in the Puget Sound area. When I get down time for myself, I love to read, write and play board games.
Anything else you’d like to include or talk about in article?
My favorite species to work with have been: tortoises, bears, elephants, dogs and baboons.
I have participated in seven Furry 5K runs: twice as a runner/walker, and five times as an SASF Board member — which means volunteering before, during and after the Furry 5K.
Who are your pets at home