We’re looking back and appreciating a year full of advocacy, fundraising, and rescues. Animals were saved, life-saving funds were raised, and family members were adopted. The Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) couldn’t have done all of this without the continued participation and support of our community, so as we look back – we thank you!
The Team:
SASF raised funds that allowed for two Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) staff positions to enhance pet care and foster support at the shelter: Tina Hope, SAS Behaviorist, and Sagan Lain, SAS Foster Program Coordinator. These two full-time shelter staff positions play such a key role in programs like in-kennel enrichment, behavior modification, and providing dedicated support to foster volunteers connecting them and foster pets to the resources they need to thrive while they wait to be adopted.
The Numbers:
Some fundraising highlights: Our amazing two and four-legged supporters turned out in high numbers for our annual Furry 5K Fun Run & Walk in June, ultimately raising $118,000 for the shelter. During the run, 587 runners and 737 walkers (and their furry friends) showed up in support!
We also had a record-breaking Furevermore Auction & Gala in October where we raised $250,000. During the gala, a wall-to-wall screen of adoptable pets was shown, and special highlights included an auctioning off of unique experiences and appearances by some special furry friends, including foster dog Koa. And to end the season on a high note, Giving Tuesday in November turned out to be our best one yet.
All those funds raised by SASF translate directly to programs providing even more animals with the support they deserve while in the care of the Seattle Animal Shelter. The table below shows the Seattle Animal Shelter foster numbers over the years, a testament of the value Sagan is providing in her Foundation-funded role.
The Stories:
Throughout the year, SASF continued to support the Seattle Animal Shelter in their ongoing work to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals. Dogs like Moon, whose story of emotional support and medical intervention to a happy rehoming can be found here; animals like chocolate brown pup Tarsier (now Olive) who needed patience and encouragement to get her confidence – and now enjoys the life she deserves with her adoptive family (story here); and chickens like Chips and Ice Cream, who were rescued during a Furevermore Ride-Along experience, and now get to enjoy peaceful grazing in their adoptive family’s backyard (story here); and tortoiseshell kitten Nutmeg, who was adopted at Furevermore.
Our shared efforts have transformed the lives of countless animals and pushed our community towards an even brighter future for our animals. We’re grateful and proud of our community and the lives changed this year and look forward to 2024’s opportunities to do even more.