Shelter teams pull together to see through the hardest cases
The Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation strives to support each animal that comes into the shelter by funding programs above what the city can provide, whether it be behavioral, medical or environmental. The Foundation’s support helps the most in-need animals receive the care and nurturing they need in order to live their most fulfilling lives and be surrounded by love! We are happy to share these updates on animals that came through the shelter in 2023, overcame challenges thanks to the amazing team at the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS), and graduated to their forever homes.
Moon
Sweet Moon came into the shelter as a stray with a challenging medical issue that was making her very self-conscious. She was dealing with incontinence, which had soaked her fur and created a situation where she didn’t want to eat or go for walks, or meet new people.
The SAS team started by spending time with Moon to better assess her needs. She had office time with SAS staff behaviorist Tina, and it became apparent that Moon needed medical and emotional support. Her physical needs were immediately addressed by getting her medication for her incontinence and a full grooming session. Getting all 80 pounds of her into the tub was not easy but she was a trooper! She was very patient and even happily accepted the not-so-great hairstyle she left with. Moon also needed surgery to remove mammary masses and get spayed, so after that was completed the team gave her space to relax by sending her home with Tina for support and to build trust in new people.
This girl was a quick learner and after just a few days with Tina she was feeling much more confident and ready to move to a new adoptive home. To make sure the transition was smooth, Tina spoke with the adopters directly about Moon’s needs and the new family’s animals. They had been wanting to adopt a husky for some time, but many facilities will not allow huskies to go to homes with cats. Thankfully, Moon had spent time with dog-savvy cats in Tina’s home and was more than prepared for this new environment.
Moon seamlessly found her place in her new family, and is even respecting her new feline sibling.
Harbor
Harbor had a tumultuous and confusing introduction to the shelter. He had been lost with his sister and found shelter in a stranger’s yard. The kind people who found him called Seattle Animal Shelter and Harbor was able to be safely contained until the shelter arrived, but tragically his sister ran away in fear, leaving him isolated from his support system.
When Harbor arrived at the shelter, behaviorist Tina noted he was fearful of humans and the environment, and he was placed in the quieter wing of kennels and put on a plan that included office time for desensitization and dog play sessions to build his confidence.
He learned fairly quickly that shelter staff were kind and Tina continued to help him make progress by introducing him to Millie, another SAS dog. Millie accepted her role as auntie with patience and grace, helping Harbor learn to walk on a leash without pancaking and engaging in fun playtime with him.
Soon thereafter, Harbor moved into a foster-to-adopt home. While this new environment was a much better fit for him, Harbor had a hard time being left alone. This separation anxiety was concerning to his new parents, who weren’t sure whether they were equipped to handle the challenge. But SASF was able to support them with a grant-funded trainer, and with the tools they needed his new family was able to move forward with adopting Harbor … now Dempsey!
Diego
Diego returned to the shelter after a challenging misunderstanding. He had bitten his owner but behaviorist Tina suggested the situation had likely arisen from misreading of body language, handling sensitivities, and fear. Shelter staff discussed the situation, saw Diego’s potential and committed to making this boy available for adoption again.
When Tina met with the pup she found him to be quite a “silly, bouncy boy” and renamed him Diego Maradona, after the much-beloved Argentinian soccer player. She considered how to make accommodations for him so that he could engage in activities safely and while learning new skills.
Diego was fit with a harness that would make it easier for walkers to clip a leash on him without getting their hands near his head or neck, and he took part in playgroups to help maintain his social skills. The team of staff and volunteers worked together on improving Diego’s foot-mouthing behavior on walks by clicking for calm and/or redirecting him to a toy.
Diego made such progress that he was adopted in February into a new family. He is living his best life now, a happy boy and with lots of room to run.
Zissou
Zissou came to the shelter during what was probably the hardest time of her life. This pup had been hit by a car and her leg was broken in multiple places, leading to amputation of the limb. Zissou came to foster to give her time to heal.
This little girl’s challenges were layered: She was fearful of new people and also terrified of cars because of the traumatic incident she had survived. So the team decided to take it slowly and help her build confidence and trust with people while she recovered, and then work with her on her fear of cars.
Zissou’s plan focused on mental enrichment while she was healing, and then desensitization and counterconditioning. She demonstrated a severe fear of cars, so Tina adjusted their walk times/routes to times with fewer cars around, and began helping Zissou learn that someone would help keep her safe. Tina also worked with Zissou on being in public places, where there was plenty of room for her to be around humans without needing to interact with them.
All of Zissou’s hard work paid off when she was adopted into her forever family and went home with a little chihuahua mix brother who is helping her continue to build confidence and face the world’s challenge
Marble Cake
Miss Marble Cake, a senior American bulldog, was a ball of stress when she was found in an alley, scared and confused. She came to the shelter more sour than sweet, showing fear-based aggressive behaviors like avoiding, growling and barking.
The team saw an opportunity to work with Marble Cake to reveal her true personality through behavioral intervention. She was able to broaden her social circle and spent time in offices for additional support and love. Soon enough this little gal was notorious for her hippity hoppity happy dance!
Marble Cake’s transformation had her adopted soon thereafter, but it wasn’t quite a perfect fit. Her new home was in a high-rise in a busy area of the city, and she was fearful of leaving the apartment. The team provided support and training recommendations but ultimately the adopter and SAS decided it was too much to ask of Marble Cake to continue to live in a situation that was so stressful for her. Sometimes the kindest thing for these pups is recognize that an environmental change is ultimately what they need.
And for Marble Cake, that ended up being the best decision ever, as it led to her meeting her true forever family. Marble Cake is now Myrtle, and thriving in her new home and enjoying many adventures in the water, far from the bustle of city life.
In recent years, the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation has been able to fund the expansion of the behavior program and the ongoing success of the medical program. These programs are foundational to the success of animals leaving care and has a profound impact on their overall wellbeing.
The longevity of shelter programs is dependent upon the generosity of donors like you. If you are interested in donating, please visit https://seattleanimalshelterfoundation.org/donate-today.
