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.

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.

Case in point: Last week, the Humane Society sent out an email saying it really needed help helping others feed their animals. Organizers of the fundraiser had set up an Amazon.com account where the society’s delivery address was already plugged in. You could go online and purchase just one can or bag of cat food, or dog food.

I thought about how long a bag of cat food lasts my cat, and how long a bag of dog food lasts my dog. A few clicks later, I was the proud donor of two of the most-needed items on the list — bags of cat food. I thought about how maybe an elderly man or woman on a fixed or low income could keep his or her beloved feline that much longer with just one more bag.

In a store recently, I purchased two cans of vegetables for a holiday food drive. I didn’t have much extra to spend that week, but I knew those cans would make a difference to someone who needed them.

See, it isn’t always how much you give — it’s that you do give.

A few dollars here, a few items there can make all of the difference in the world to someone who has less than you do. And no matter how little you have, there is always someone who has less. Think about that when the bell ringer at the grocery store asks you if you have any change in your pocket.

I remember one year many years ago when I was having a really tough year, physically and financially, that someone I didn’t know very well brought me groceries for Christmas. A ham, canned yams, marshmallows, stuffing, potatoes and gravy, green beans, and bread and rolls meant I had meals for nearly a week that I didn’t have to pay for. They even included a toy for my cat and food for my fish.

It was one of the best Christmases I ever had.

Kathleen R. Merrill: 392-6434, ext. 227, or editor@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.

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.

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).

Local photographer’s image wins Masters Cup nomination

A photo taken by Amy Timacheff, of Tiger Mountain Photo, was nominated for the Fifth Annual Photography Masters Cup.

In April, Amy and her husband Serge traveled to Jordan as official photographers for the International Fencing Federation at the Junior & Cadet World Championships 2011. Her image “Fencers Jump in Jordan” was of junior fencers Philip Marsh, of Great Britain, and Alaa El Din Fayz, of Egypt, competing in the gold-medal match for junior men’s individual epee.

The photo was one of 11,321 entries from 83 countries and was just one of 272 honored, hers winning Nominee in Sport.

“As a surprise to me, Serge entered this image into the Masters Cup,” Amy Timacheff said. “We love working together and traveling the world capturing images, not only for the world of fencing, but also for our vast artwork collection.”

Dentist visits China with People to People Ambassador Programs

Dr. John R. Liu, of Eastside Pediatric Dental Group, visited China as the delegation leader with The People to People Ambassador Programs in September.

The group examined pediatric oral health with an emphasis on children with special health care needs providing education and insight.

Liu was in China for eight days and while there his group of 10 visited Beijing Children’s Hospital, Peking University School of Stomatology, Beijing United Family Hospital & Clinic, Guiyang Stomatological Hospital and Guizhou Huaxi Stomatology Special Hospital.

“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.

Syndey said she loved seeing the smiles on the faces of those who donated and knowing she made a difference.

“It felt really good inside,” she said. “Just the way I felt, I want to do it again and again, and encourage others to do it, too.”

Sydney delivered the supplies to the Seattle Humane Society March 28, and she was given a certificate of appreciation in return.

“It’s just so rewarding to see her so kind-hearted towards the animals,” Andrea Dalry said. “Seeing her so motivated, it’s just very rewarding.”

Next year, Sydney hopes to hold another donation drive, possibly using a donation barrel to help with her collections.

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.

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.

Shelters often have a greater selection of breeds to choose from than many might think. In fact, the H.S.U.S. estimates that 25 percent of dogs in large shelters and also smaller rescue organizations are purebreds.

“Whatever kind of dog you’re looking for from a breeder, you can find that same dog sitting in a shelter that needs a home,” Alexander said.

Besides saving a life, adopting a shelter dog will coincide with a number of health benefits of owning a pet. Along with providing an extra incentive to exercise and a new social network of fellow dog owners, studies show a link between dog ownership and lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Dog owners have also been shown to have a lower chance of depression, according to the Delta Society, which is dedicated to improving human health through therapy and service animals.

“If people are alone, a dog is someone to meet you at the door when you come home,” said Sandy Sircin, of the Issaquah Veterinary Hospital. “They provide unconditional love. There is something about having those brown eyes look at you and melt you.”

Adopting any canine from any rescue organization or shelter ensures that your new friend will come spayed or neutered, microchipped and current on all vaccinations. An advantage of adopting a dog in a foster home allows potential owners to see how the dog behaves in a home setting.

“We tell you everything we know about the dog,” Tonkin said. “We are a full disclosure rescue, we tell you the good, the bad and the ugly. We want each dog to get a forever home.”

Above all, rescue organizations stress that adopting a dog must be seen as a commitment for the lifetime of the dog.

“When you are adopting a dog, you are adopting a family member,” Tonkin said. “You are bringing a pet into your home for your own emotional well-being and you want to share that with that little companion animal.”

Local rescue organizations

People United for Pets (PUP)

11th Hour Rescue Northwest

Ribsey’s Refugees

Kirsten Johnson is a former Press intern. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.

The recent flooding across the Puget Sound region has prompted the Seattle Humane Society to offer free emergency pet boarding to evacuees.

Owners can drop off animals at the Bellevue shelter, 13212 S.E. Eastgate Way, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Call the boarding department at 643-5960 or email the department at boarding@seattlehumane.org to schedule a drop off.

The nonprofit organization can shelter, feed and care for pets until conditions improve and owners can return home. Humane Society leaders offer free boarding during other emergencies as well.

Rain soaked the area Saturday and Sunday, and caused creeks and rivers to flood. The rain continued Monday, although many rivers in the area crested before then.

The local Humane Society has a long history of offering services to pet owners during natural disasters. The organization set up a shelter during ice and windstorms in 2006-07 to shelter pets and owners.

Every year, pet food donations help the Seattle Humane Society fill its Pet Food Bank shelves for animals in King County owned by people who are disabled by AIDS, are low-income and senior members of the community, or who are Pet Project clients.

In the winter of 2009, people donated about 15 tons of pet food — providing food to more than 1,200 pets. This summer, Safeway participated in the first summer pet food drive and collected 8,000 pounds of food for the Pet Food Bank.

It takes an average of 12,000 pounds per month to sustain the program. The latest pet food drive ends Dec. 31.

Call 649-7566 or e-mail petproject@seattlehumane.org to enroll in the Pet Project, and e-mail petfoodbank@seattlehumane.org to enroll in the Pet Food Bank.

“Thanks, to the Pet Food Bank, more than 930 pet owners each month don’t have to choose between self care and pet care,” Seattle Humane Society spokeswoman Divya Kumar said.

Get ready for felines and purr-fect puns as the Seattle Humane Society hosts Catapalooza on Saturday and Sunday.

The nonprofit organization has hundreds of kittens and mature cats ready to adopt. Stop by the Humane Society, 13212 S.E. Eastgate Way, Bellevue, between 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The kitten adoption fee is $50; adoption fees will be waived for cats 1 and older. Browse the animals up for adoption — and learn about how to pick a pet — here.

Catapalooza also features cat-training demonstrations, plus face painting and cat-toy making station for children.