The Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) has done so much to support pets at the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) in 2021. Read on to see how we’ve helped pets in need this year, and make a donation to support SASF today.
The past year proved once more that when faced with challenges, the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) pushes forward to help animals in need. At this point, the obstacles that volunteers and Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) staff faced in 2021 were not unprecedented — from a decrease in volunteers due to COVID capacity limits in the shelter to canceling the annual Furevermore Auction and Gala, the team tackled each day just as they did when new challenges arose in 2020. And this year, they innovated more than ever.
During the summer, as COVID numbers began to peak in Seattle again, the annual Furry 5K went forward as a virtual race for the second year in a row. The event raised over $71,000 that went directly to helping pets and programs at SAS. Participants walked and ran around their neighborhoods — or on treadmills — to support the work of the shelter. And just when it looked like the event was wrapped up, Mud Bay graciously donated more than 1,600 pounds of food to the pets at SAS.
While the Furevermore Auction and Gala was postponed due to the delta variant, the shelter was still given extra love and TLC in the fall. In fact, the first event of Pawsitive Projects debuted as a huge success. More than 20 SASF board members and donors gathered together to help the shelter staff complete critical work that they weren’t able to do themselves. Before COVID, volunteers picked up duties like cleaning out the critter closet or weeding the outdoor dog corral. However, because social distancing and safety precautions only allow a certain number of people in the building, the shelter staff had to do without their normal number of volunteers for much of the year. With events like Pawsitive Projects, the staff at the shelter receive greatly needed help in their work environment, and donors and board members get a hands-on experience that directly impacts the shelter they care so deeply about.
With adversity at every step of the way, the SASF team stepped up to the challenges of the last year to support the shelter and the animals waiting for their forever homes. The biggest wins of the year, as with every year, are the success stories.
A little over one year ago, SAS helped rescue more than 220 animals from one of the worst hoarding cases that the shelter has ever seen. That case, tragic as it was, helped open the eyes of the public to the intense, difficult work that the shelter does to help animals in need. Through that work, SAS is able to help place pets like Ziggy the hedgehog in loving homes.
Through the Behavior Program at SAS, Mario the dog got a second lease on life
. In his seven months at the shelter, Mario worked with Kimberlee and members of the Dog Behavior Team to help curb his reactivity and teach him important lessons — like not to eat all of his toys.
All of this work, from the events to the successful home placements, could not be done without the support SASF receives throughout the year from generous donors. The team is hopeful that 2022 will bring new positive moments — and hopefully in-person events! Until then, if you’re able to support the work of the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation to improve the lives of pets in the shelter, please consider donating today.