Seattle Humane Society sets records
March 12, 2013
Pet adoptions at the Seattle Humane Society reached a record 5,668 last year.
The nonprofit organization serving Issaquah and King County also returned 376 pets to owners or partner rescue groups.
The shelter in Bellevue reached a milestone 97.2 percent life-saving rate — among the highest in the nation for comparable shelters.
Seattle Humane Society waives adoption fee for critters
January 8, 2013
NEW — 4 p.m. Jan. 8, 2013
Seattle Humane Society leaders waived the adoption fees for critters — such as guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, mice, gerbils, rats and chinchillas — for January, to encourage folks to welcome 2013 by adopting a pet.
The nonprofit organization recommended small animals as a first pet. The organization offers pet advice at www.seattlehumane.org so potential pet owners can learn more about the available critters and view a selection of animals ready for adoption.
People interested in pet adoption can also visit the Seattle Humane Society shelter at 13212 S.E. Eastgate Way, Bellevue. The shelter is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday.
Halloween is spooky for pets, too, so use safety tips
October 30, 2012
NEW — 1 p.m. Oct. 30, 2012
Halloween is a spooky season for pets, too.
From pet costumes to pet-friendly decorations, Seattle Humane Society leaders ask pets to prepare for Halloween guests, strange noises and costumed creatures.
On Halloween, frequent opening and closing of the door to greet trick-or-treaters can cause excited or scared pets to dash outside. Keep animals in a room away from the front door as trick-or-treaters visit. The spooky sounds, ringing doorbells and strange costumes can frighten animals.
Ideally, pets should wear a pet license, ID tag, microchip or a combination.
Most veterinarians and shelters offer microchipping. If a pet is already microchipped, make sure the company has current address and phone numbers.
Seattle Humane Society asks for pet food donations
December 20, 2011
Seattle Humane Society and Safeway teamed up for a Holiday Pet Food Drive to help fill the shelves of the Humane Society’s pet food bank. Find collection bins at Safeway stores throughout King County. The nonprofit organization’s greatest need is for dry cat food.
The pet food bank provides pet food every month to more than 1,600 pets belonging to low-income seniors and people disabled by AIDS.
Off the Press
December 20, 2011
It’s the little things that really matter
Kathleen Merrill Press managing editor
They say it’s better to give than receive. I think both feel pretty good.
In my mind, though, giving lasts longer.
Purse strings have gotten tighter for many people in the past couple of years, and it’s hard to give to others when you’re receiving less.
Then again, I think many people overthink giving on a regular basis. We see pleas for $50 or $100, or sometimes even more (such as in the case of tickets to fundraising events). I don’t know about you, but I often can’t afford $50, let alone more than that.
However, even as paychecks and benefits have gotten smaller, many people have found ways to give. I was thinking about this the other day when the reporting staff was discussing the subject of compassion fatigue. People do get tired of being asked to give when their expenses are going up and their salaries are not going up to match.
But here’s something I’ve learned: Even the smallest things count to someone with little or nothing.
Browse black cats on Black Friday at Seattle Humane Society
November 24, 2011
NEW — 6 p.m. Nov. 24, 2011
Cat lovers are invited to shop around for a new best friend on Black Friday at the Seattle Humane Society.
For that day only, the society will waive adoption fees on all black cats and kittens. Those who take an animal home also will receive instant membership in the Black Cat Club. Members are entitled to a $10 Black Cat Club T-shirt and access to the Humane Society’s Black Cat Club Facebook page.
According to the humane society, black animals often get overlooked at shelters, which explains the extra push for adoption.
The Seattle Humane Society is at 13212 S.E. Eastgate Way, Bellevue. Business hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday.
Learn more and see cats available for adoption at www.seattlehumane.org/adopt/pets/cats.
Who’s News
November 8, 2011
Pet photographer named best in Western Washington
Issaquah business Bailey & Banjo has been named Best Pet Photographer in KING 5’s Best of Western Washington annual contest.
Bailey & Banjo was established in 2007 by Julie Clegg, an Issaquah Highlands photography enthusiast who is also a contributing photographer for CityDog Magazine, volunteer at the Seattle Humane Society and a supporting member of HeARTs Speak (a nonprofit organization that connects artists with rescues and shelters).
Youth donates supplies to Humane Society
April 26, 2011
For Sydney Dalry, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals commercials were too much to handle. The sad faces of the cats and dogs made the Apollo Elementary School fourth-grader want to make a difference.
“I saw the animals, and I wanted to help them,” she said. “Some animals just don’t quite make it.”
She wanted to volunteer at the Seattle Humane Society, but was told she was too young. Her next idea was to collect donations instead of gifts for her 10th birthday in February. Her mother, Andrea Dalry, suggested she do a community outreach project instead, because it would allow her to reach beyond her friends.
Sydney collected cat and dog food, toys, towels, brushes and leashes during the first three weeks in February, using a Facebook page to spread the word.
In all, Andrea Dalry estimated Sydney collected about $500 worth of pet supplies. Sydney also held a work party with her friends to create catnip toys out of baby booties.
Veterinarians offer discounted services Tuesday for Spay Day
February 18, 2011
NEW — 6 a.m. Feb. 18, 2011
Spay Day returns Tuesday.
The annual effort presented by the Humane Society highlight the importance of saving animal lives by spaying or neutering pets and feral cats.
Spay Day is open to anyone, regardless of income level, interested in having a dog, cat, puppy or kitten spayed or neutered.
The closest participating clinic to Issaquah is South County Cats, 26828 Maple Valley Black Diamond Road, Maple Valley.
PAWS is also offering low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for Spay Day — $40 for male or female cats or kittens , and $80 for male or female dogs or puppies.
Other shelters and veterinarians in King and Snohomish counties plan to offer discounted services for Spay Day.
Local pet rescues help bring love home for the holidays
December 21, 2010
Rebecca Alexander, of 11th Hour Rescue Northwest, gets a kiss from the black and white hound dog she helped place from California to its forever home in Canada. Contributed
Thinking about taking in a new furry, four-legged friend? Why not adopt him from a shelter, and truly save a life?
According to the Humane Society of the United States, in the United States alone, more than half of the 6 million to 8 million pets that enter shelters each year are euthanized.
The adoption process is easy. And Issaquah is home to a number of small, foster home-based animal rescues.
People United for Pets is a local nonprofit rescue organization that specializes in small and toy breed dogs. Pets sitting in large shelters that are essentially on “death row” are rescued and brought into foster homes until a permanent home can be found for them.
Laura Tonkin, founder and director of PUP, said the groups exist purely to help the millions of dogs dying in shelters. Her organization also works with the Seattle Humane Society.
“There are way too many animals being killed,” Tonkin said. “All over this country, dogs and cats are being euthanized. For that reason, we’re a huge proponent of adopting.”
Another group, 11th Hour Rescue Northwest, is a private Issaquah-based rescue organization founded in 2004 by Rebecca Alexander and her daughter. They specifically focus on dogs with the hardest time getting out of the shelter. She saves pets in dire situations and places them into safe havens.
