News Archives - Page 4 of 7 - Seattle Animal Foundation

Strength, Spirit, and Determination: Celebrating Hard Work and Happy Adoptions

The Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) strives to support each animal that comes into the Seattle Animal Shelter by funding programs above what the city can provide, whether it be behavioral, medical or environmental. SASF’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 2022, overcame challenges thanks to the amazing Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) team, and moved on to their forever homes.

Zip the Cat

Little Zip lost his namesake for a while. When he came to the shelter at 5 years old he had a prolapsed rectum that was inhibiting his zest for life. He came in very fearful and not comfortable with people. Seeing that, the behavior team and cat volunteers spent time getting to know Zip and bringing out his personality, and getting him used to being around people.

Thankfully, a simple “purse string” surgery from the Seattle Animal Shelter vet team fixed him up and he moved right into foster. His foster parents continued to work on his socialization, and when he was ready he was able to find his forever home! His adoptive family named him Charlie and he is thriving with lots of love around him.

Toast

Sweet Toast was struggling to pop out of her shell when she came into the shelter. This beautiful gray-and-white cat came to the shelter very shut down and displaying avoidant behaviors, making it hard for anyone to really get to know her.

The SAS team stepped up to help Toast by spending time with her to get her comfortable enough to sniff around a bit and feel more at ease around people. She was adopted but it wasn’t successful, leaving Toast reverting to her old behaviors. The vet team evaluated her and decided medications might help, she was moved to a roaming room, and together those changes brought Toast to a new level of happiness.

Toast is now in a loving home with people who are thrilled to have her as part of the family.

Bubba

Bubba was in a tough place when he came to the shelter. This sweet but overwhelmed Shih Tzu was non-responsive, wedged with his face in the back corner of his kennel, and he refused to eat or drink. Because of his serious stress, he was moved to foster for more holistic support.

After spending time in a foster home environement, Bubba’s personality re-emerged and he started eating and dogging again! His foster-to-adopt mom, Laura, took advantage of the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation’s offer for Ahimsa training (funded by a behavior grant) and says it’s been so helpful! We are confident that Bubba has a bright future ahead of him.

Rubiana

This pretty pitty struggled with trust when she came to the shelter, and that created an ongoing challenge for her. As the longest in-shelter dog available for adoption, Rubiana needed some help.

Thankfully, the SAS team only saw potential in her. Rubiana spent some time in the spay/neuter office to overcome her stranger reactivity, and though she took a little while to warm up she was soon a wiggly happy girl! From there Rubiana kept expanding her “circle of trust” by spending time with volunteers, and from there Rubiana’s world just continued to open up. She was soon added to the Dog Behavior Team’s roster for ongoing support.

And to no one’s surprise, this shining little gem found her forever home and is doing amazing.

Mei

Mei’s journey with the shelter started at a pretty dark time for her. This darling girl was picked up by field officers on a warm day in October with a mesh muzzle on, limiting her ability to pant and drink.

When she got to the shelter she was shut down and growly in her kennel, which might have been partly due to the massive bladder stones the vet team found. After removing them, the SAS team kenneled Mei in a doctor’s office to help work on her reactivity to people. The SAS behavior team worked with her five days a week and SAS Animal Care Officers supported her the other two.

Gradually her reactivity subsided, so the next step was to give her the opportunity to be adopted. She soon had a meet-and-greet with a potential adopter who already had a dog. But it was meant to be for Mei. The two pups hit it off and the adopter understood Mei’s need for space and time to come around.

Mei is now living her happiest life out on an island, accompanying her new mom daily for walks on the beach.

A total of 750 animals were supported by the Seattle Animal Shelter Behavior Team in 2022. In recent years, the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation has been able to fund the expansion of the program, including hiring a full-time behaviorist and working with animals other than dogs. The program is foundational to the success of animals leaving care and has a profound impact on their overall wellbeing.

The longevity of the Behavior Program and other shelter endeavors is dependent on the generosity of donors like you. If you are interested in donating, please visit https://seattleanimalfoundation.org/donate-today.

Mr. Tibbs – From Lost to Forever Home

Posted on Jan 29Jan 30 by Tom

Mr. Tibbs, a miniature Schnauzer/miniature poodle mix, was picked up by one of the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) field officers after a Good Samaritan reported finding him abandoned in an apartment lobby. At intake he was so matted from nose to tail that he could not stand or walk well on his own, and he was dirty and soaked in his own urine. (Note: attached is a video of how he looked when he arrived in our care.)

Video: clip of him matted & trembling on the exam table:

Once in the care of SAS, he was evaluated by a veterinarian, then clipped, bathed, and groomed. Once the mats were removed, SAS could see that he was thin and had some muscle weakness from being so matted and not being able to stand and move. He spent time in staff offices initially and quickly became a staff favorite…and he loved them as much as they loved him.

After a short time in their care and after having his medical and grooming needs met, Mr. Tibbs blossomed into the sweetest dog! He quickly gained strength and was soon running, jumping, and playing. He then went to foster care with one of their awesome volunteers.

Notes from Mr. Tibbs’ foster family:

Mr. Tibbs was easier than most of the other dogs my husband and I have fostered. It was surprising given his history that he still had so much love to give. He was really sweet and cuddly, loved his walks and his food and treats.

Mr. Tibbs enjoying his first “pup cup” treat in foster care

Mr. Tibbs had a tendency to pee out of excitement and he didn’t seem to be potty trained. It can be frustrating when that happens but it’s something we expected to get better once he was fixed. I took him out several times a day to get him started on house training. He was also an attention seeker, probably because of his fear of being left alone. I sometimes had to do my office work with him napping on my lap.

I was told he resource-guarded food so I worked on training him to sit calmly at a distance while I put his food down. He seemed to learn that pretty quickly and I never saw any resource-guarding. While he did have separation anxiety, he was comfortable if left in his crate; that was his safe space. He also slept through the night in his crate which he loved. I highly recommend crate training for dogs.

I personally felt that he was very happy in foster care. I never saw any aggression towards me or my husband. His real fun personality came out which is always wonderful to see. It was very noticeable that he’s a smart dog and will respond positively to training if given proper resources. He loved his people and said hi to all dog friends on the walk. He even started playing with toys which was a good sign to me. Given proper care and routine, I could see that Mr. Tibbs was the perfect dog for anybody who’s willing to commit.

Mr. Tibbs has since been adopted by an amazing family who loves and cherishes him. They say that he is a “happy hiker and a big snuggle bug.” His favorite place is on the couch, and they’re considering another dog as a friend for him when he is ready. Cheers to Mr. Tibbs, the SAS team of staff and volunteers who had the honor of being part of his journey, and to the family that he now calls his own.

The Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) is proud to support animals like Mr. Tibbs so that he and every other animal in need has the opportunity to be nourished back to health and well taken care of till they find their forever family. This financial support includes veterinary care, foster care support, and behavior support. Thanks to generous donations, SASF is able to give that support to SAS, helping give animals like Mr. Tibbs a second chance at a happy ending.

New Development Director ready to start connecting with community

Posted on Jan 29Mar 4 by Tom

If you want to get to know more about the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation, Josh Herrington definitely wants to get to know you.

As the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation’s new Development Director, Josh brings people who care about the shelter’s work together with the right opportunities for contributing, whether financially or with their time or through another mechanism.

“I look at myself as more of a connector of people in the community to a nonprofit organization’s mission. I help connect people to a mission through philanthropy, and I’m a steward to help people learn more.”

Josh’s philosophy focuses on deepening donor relationships to help them achieve their own goals, which means really getting to know them.

“It’s about learning who they are, learning what motivates them. If you can reach someone’s head and their heart, that’s success. Show them it’s a smart investment in the community.”

Josh came to this role having worked in nonprofit development for 20 years, in public radio, the arts and an organization working to end homelessness.

“I couldn’t do this work at an organization where I didn’t feel a strong connection to the mission,” he said. “I always had a passion for animals. I’ve always had a dog or rabbits or birds.”

And almost something more exotic.

“My mom worked part time and also volunteered as a docent (guide) at the local zoo. She came home one day and said, ‘I would love it if we could adopt an orangutan.’ We would have had to convert half the house into an orangutan enclosure! I was around 9 or 10 years old, so maybe that was her answer to me getting older. Needless to stay, my dad put a stop to adding a primate to our family!”

While the shelter focuses on taking care of more … approachable animals, Josh is focused on supporting the “amazing” volunteers, committee, and board members he’s working with. Currently, the Development Director is the Foundation’s only staff position.

Josh’s vision is to both expand the donor base and strengthen donor relationships, which in turn will support an increase in revenue. He also wants to emphasize different channels of fundraising opportunities: monthly giving, stock, planned giving, events and one-time gifts, which can diversify the Foundation’s donor base.

“These funds will help the Seattle Animal Shelter accomplish what they do best: provide care and homes to our community’s most vulnerable animals.”

You can reach Josh Herrington at [email protected]. If you are interested in making a contribution to support the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation, visit https://seattleanimalfoundation.org/donate-today.

Styx makes a stunning comeback!

Posted on Dec 19Dec 19 by Tom

When you hear of a dog named Styx, you might assume he’s called after the infamous river of Greek mythology. Or you may remember the rock band, with cigarette lighters waving in the dark of a packed auditorium. But Styx came by his name organically. It was born out of affection and a wry sense of humor.

Styx will soon be able to chase squirrels and balls again. He’ll be freed from the wrappings and orthotics encasing his front legs these last several months. His foster mom marvels at how resilient he’s been through it all.

We don’t know how Styx was injured. In his foster family’s Instagram feed, he jokes that he jumped from a cruise ship. Probably not. Styx was found in a ditch by the side of a road, unable to walk or pull himself out. Someone had cared for this handsome young pitbull mix, though: he wore an expensive halter designed for dogs with pelvis issues. He was otherwise in good condition and was calm and trusting when approached by the good samaritan who came to his aid.

Upon examination at Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS), there were no outward signs of injury. A visit to a vet and imaging, however, revealed that Styx’s carpal joints (wrists) were hyperextended, and the tendons torn and bruised. It’s suspected that Styx jumped or fell from a great height. He’d need surgery and months of rehab, but it was highly likely that the dog—not yet two years old—would make a full recovery. That’s when the SAS Foundation stepped in to cover the cost.

SAS placed Styx with a very dedicated, experienced foster parent who happens to manage a vet clinic. She’d like everyone to know this: not only is Styx’s recovery going “perfectly,” he’s also a very good boy.

At first, the splints were uncomfortable and rubbed sores. At that point, Styx didn’t want to walk much and wasn’t interested in interacting with the humans or dogs around him. That changed when he was fitted with custom splints made by Pawopedic, paid for by the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF). It’s amazing how quickly he adapted to walking on his “sticks,” says his foster mom, who’s lovingly documented his progress and playful nature on Instagram. Though his wrappings still had to be changed every 5-7 days, Styx was patient and cooperative. When it came to hour-long foot soaks, Styx just laid down and relaxed.

He had surgery on his left front leg to fuse the joint three months and it’s healing nicely. He’ll have his right leg done later this month. Fingers crossed, Styx should be able to shake off his braces at the end of his treatment in another 5 months or so. Then he’ll be able to hike, jump and play like the healthy 2 year old he is.

His idea of a perfect day? Styx likes to sleep in a little and then, after breakfast, take a nice little walk followed by a soothing belly rub. He’s obsessed with his Chuckit! Ball and carries it around, chewing on it, perhaps dreaming of the day soon coming that he’ll be able to chase it at full throttle. Yet he’s a couch dog, too, and sometimes a lap dog. And he enjoys following his person around. He is a gentle soul who seems to go with the flow.

Styx comes when called and “sat” well on command when he first came to his foster family. He picked up “lay down” quickly and is now learning to “spin.” He does bark when people come to the door but once they enter the house, he’s “all over them” in a friendly way. A big, enthusiastic dog, he’ll likely need more leash training once he shucks his splints. He’s great in the car, gets along with other dogs in the home, and hasn’t shown separation anxiety. He’s not sound reactive: he even took Fourth of July in stride.

When pressed about any behavior challenges, Styx’s foster mom had to think hard. This is what she finally came up with: He’s freaked out by helmets and cowboy hats. But baseball caps are ok (maybe it’s because he heard the Mariners did so well last season? Baseballs remind him of his favorite chuck it ball?).

His most endearing quality? His foster mom just can’t get over how resilient and how patient Styx has been throughout his treatment and months of rehab. She also loves his funny voice. He’s very talkative, she says, especially if bored or if his ball rolls under the sofa.

Styx is her 27^th foster and she says he’s one of the easiest dogs she’s every had. “I just don’t understand why he’s not adopted yet,” she says. “He deserves a nice, stable home.” Now, he has one!

Great news! Styx has found his forever home! If you are interested in meeting other currently adoptable animals, visit the Seattle Animal Shelter adoption portal. To help animals in need like Styx, please consider making a valuable donation to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation

Furevermore 2022 raises record-breaking $230,000!

Posted on Dec 1Dec 5 by Tom

The Furevermore Auction & Gala returned to the National Nordic Museum in Ballard with over 250 supporters thrilled to be having fun for a good cause.

Beautifully dressed attendees caught up with each other, shared stories of their pets, and enjoyed a lively cocktail hour. After a two-year hiatus of hosting Furevermore in person, people were ready to party. They flocked to new event features: an animal watercolor portrait, a magician, and raffle tickets offering one winner a weekend getaway.

Meanwhile, bidders looked down lines of tables at all of the silent auction items, like cat and dog care packages, an electric boat sailing excursion, and Seattle sports tickets. Best of all, adoptable kittens and bunnies from the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) greeted attendees.

Dinner and the live auction began with tremendous fanfare when supporters received a visit from surprise guests – adoptable shelter puppies! The auctioneer introduced a new live auction experience – puppy playtime. It wasn’t long before these floppy pups brought in over a $1,000 donation! And the bidding didn’t ease up there. Vacation getaways, Seattle dining and entertainment, and the chance to feature your pet in Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) event materials all went to the highest bidders.

All this fun was in support of raising money to improve the lives of dogs, cats, and critters at the shelter Since the pandemic, the shelter has leaned on its incredible foster program to care for pets. However, the foster program has reached its limit of what volunteers alone could sustain.

In addition to supporting existing programs like the behavior team, this year SASF needed to raise enough money to fund a full-time foster coordinator to improve the foster experience for people and pets alike.

During the Fund a Need portion of the evening, guests could pledge donations that would specifically be ear-marked for this foster need. A few donors went above and beyond, pledging $5,000 during Fund a Need! Many generous donors pledged $100, $200, or $500 after hearing from existing volunteers and foster parents about the current limitations of the program and how a loving foster home benefits shelter pets.

SASF Fund-A-Need (captions)

Even with all the cocktail hour activities, 100+ items to bid on, and a delicious dinner, Furevermore supporters were quick to raise their paddles and donate to fund the foster program to expand and stabilize the foster parent network, improve coordinated care for foster pets, and save the lives of more pets.

And wow did our supporters show up to help. We are thrilled to share that Furevermore raised a record fundraising total of $232,352!

With this money, SAS will begin hiring for the foster coordinator position at the end of this year. Plus, a portion will go toward the shelter’s general grants fund to cover a range of programs, including veterinary services, medical equipment at the shelter’s in-house clinic, and the behavioral therapy program.

Many thanks to everyone who attended, donated, got wonderfully competitive in the exciting live and silent auctions, all the volunteers, and shelter staff who made such a fantastic event possible. We couldn’t have done this without you!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, subscribe to our email newsletter, and return to this website for updates on how the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation is improving the lives of our most vulnerable pets in our community.

Team-Building Workshop Features Feathered Friends

Posted on Nov 22Nov 22 by JenniferW JuliaL

Seattle Animal Shelter Staff holding chickens at team-building workshop

Staff members of the Seattle Animal Shelter took part in a team-building workshop in early September with a unique goal – to train a chicken.

Jocelyn Bouchard, SAS Deputy Director, chose the chicken training workshop after she learned about it from animal control officer Bobbi Soper. Soper attended a six-day chicken training camp in May and found it incredibly useful in teaching dog trainers new skills. Both thought it would make a great team-bonding exercise. “It was animal related, and the training could be beneficial to all of us, plus how fun would it be to train chickens?” Jocelyn said. Most importantly Jocelyn felt the SAS staff needed a fun reason to come together after the COVID pandemic. “It’s been a rough few years. It’s important to support the staff and have these opportunities to work with other team members and get rejuvenated.”

Diane Canafax, the co-founder and lead trainer of the non-profit Kitsap Animal Rescue and Education (KARE), provided the hens and leads chicken training camps throughout the Puget Sound area. She said the purpose of the workshop is to help trainers break down tasks and communicate properly so the trainee understands what they are being asked to do.

Chickens make excellent trainees because they are not interested in pleasing their handlers like dogs and only respond to positive reinforcement techniques, like clicker training. Clickers are small hand-held devices that make, you guessed it, a clicking sound. The trainer clicks the clicker and gives the hen a peck of feed out of a cup every time the hen performs a desirable behavior. The chicken soon learns to associate the sound of the click with a specific action and a reward and is more inclined to repeat the behavior.

The technique may sound simple, but with clicker training, timing is everything and chickens add an element of difficulty. “Chickens are fast, so if the timing isn’t good, you may get what you click,” said Diane. In other words, not the behavior you want. If the feed cup isn’t pulled away quickly, the chicken will keep eating and the feed will no longer be viewed as a treat, she said.

For the workshop, Diane deliberately teamed people up who didn’t work together on a day-to-day basis. “That way there is no hierarchy, no overshadowing. It’s also a great way to meet others in the organization and establish a rapport,” she added.

Not everyone was initially enthusiastic about working with chickens. Arlene Ehrlich, an account technician at SAS and workshop participant had some hesitation at first about handling a hen. “I was afraid maybe I’d drop it or it would try to get away and I’d lose my chicken.”

Hens provided by KARE are well-mannered and used to being handled, said Diane, which can reassure people who may be a bit fearful of chickens. The first part of the workshop was a demonstration on how to properly get the hens out of their cages and handle them. Participants then watched a video on clicker training and broke up into groups to teach the chicken to consistently peck a red poker chip in the middle of the table. Once the hen mastered that task, the poker chip was moved to see if she would peck the chip when it was in a different place. The ultimate training task was to incorporate a second poker chip of a different color and train the hen to differentiate between the two.

Jocelyn said the feedback from the six-hour workshop was positive and most people really enjoyed working with the chickens. Bobbi Soper, who also attended the workshop, said it was nice to see co-workers having a good time and laughing while getting comfortable with offering suggestions and observations to their teammates.

Arlene echoed that. In addition to conquering her fear of mishandling her chicken, she said enjoyed the training more than she thought she would and was disappointed she didn’t have enough time with her chicken. However, a few hours of training were more than enough for the hens. “Towards the end of the session, our chickens were pretty spent,” said Arlene. She also got to know people in her organization she didn’t have much daily contact with and found the clicker training motivating. “I went home and taught my dog a couple of new tricks.”

Wiola Ruka, a SAS customer service representative, was curious about how chickens could be trained and a bit anxious about handling them. By the end of the session, she found the close contact with the hen calming. “It was almost like an emotional support animal,” she said. She encourages others to attend a chicken training workshop if they have the chance and see for themselves how smart chickens are. “They are so cute and fun to work with. It was a really amazing experience.”

Jocelyn Bouchard said the workshops not only foster team collaboration, but participants walk away with skills they can apply to other species and life in general. Training a chicken requires great task analysis and timing as well as excellent communication techniques and an abundance of patience.

The Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation funds grants for team-building workshops like this. Your contributions directly help shelter staff connect, collaborate, and learn new skills.

Behavior program gets to the heart (and mind) of the matter

Posted on Oct 21Mar 4 by Tom

For an animal, being involuntarily away from its home can bring up all kinds of emotions. Just like it would for a person. But without words, the feelings emerge as behaviors, which can be problematic.

The Seattle Animal Shelter tackles these issues with care, knowledge and respect, thanks to its specialized Behavior Program.

“Dogs and cats are social animals. They do best where they have social companionship,” said Dr. Sheila Segurson, Director of Outreach and Research for Maddie’s Fund and a behavior consultant for the shelter. “Oftentimes animals aren’t being housed with their best friends. The big things lacking in shelters are the companionship piece and control over their environment. It’s such a big factor in terms of wellbeing for animals.”

This team of 10 people is a volunteer-based program that aims to correct behaviors that could be barriers to adoption. The program has a manager position that is fully funded by the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation. The first person to take on that role, Kimberlee Spicer, moved on in June 2022.

“She did a great job collaborating with foster parents and foster leads,” said Tracy Bahrakis, Seattle Animal Shelter’s manager of animal care. “She would try to connect pets with the right parents and then help troubleshoot with parents of pets in foster homes. She did a great job taking the program from part-time into (something) really robust.”

The program is now in a transitional period, evaluating its needs while looking to hire a new manager. SAS is working with Dr. Segurson, DVM, who has advanced specialty training in animal behavior, to identify shelter needs and develop the job description for the new leader.

“Seattle is so lucky that the (Seattle Animal Shelter) Foundation funds this position,” Dr. Segurson said. “Even having one funded position is really not enough — this person is responsible for supporting the welfare of all animals in care: helping them get adopted, support them after adoption, and to prevent animals from coming in with regard to behavior. This position relies so heavily on volunteers.”

Dr. Segurson has been working to help define the scope of this role and match resources to needs. Goals looking forward include stronger focus on supportive training for staff, volunteers, and foster and adoptive parents to decrease stress in shelter – supporting the animal throughout its journey.

Watch this video to learn more about the Behavior Program and animals that the volunteers and staff have helped.

The program will continue to shift away from just doing behavior modification in the shelter and instead using techniques to support adopters and keep the animal in its home, out of the shelter in the first place. Shelter behaviors can be artificially stimulated and not reflect the true personality of the animal.

“The future program in behavior is about the mental health of the animal, really focusing on enrichment,” said Jocelyn Bouchard, deputy director of the Seattle Animal Shelter. “Some animals don’t do well in a shelter setting. To move them into foster and work with them in foster is all part of it. We’re making sure we’re doing everything to minimize stress and care for their mental health.”

“The general goals haven’t changed,” she said. “It’s to save more lives and to help rehome these animals in a way that they’re going to be successful. How we’re going about it will change a little.”

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To support the important and valuable programs Seattle Animal Shelter runs, like the Behavior Program, consider donating to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation.
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Putting the focus on fostering

Posted on Oct 21Nov 22 by Tom

Foster parents have cared for 562 animals in partnership with the Seattle Animal Shelter in 2022. That’s a lot of people, appointments, supplies and meetings. All managed and cared for by 20 volunteer leads who liaise with veterinary questions, care and support for foster families and potential adopters.

Thanks to the focused donations of this year’s Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation Furevermore, the shelter leads are going to get some help.

This year’s fundraising gala will be providing for a new position of Foster Coordinator for the Seattle Animal Shelter.

“We’re excited that the foster parents will have the support they so desperately need,” said SAS Animal Care Manager Tracy Bahrakis. “And to have someone who will be the consistent communicator. Anxiety and guilt doesn’t feel good, and our foster parents give so freely of themselves, their homes, their love – we should do better by them, but in current structure we just don’t have capacity for it.”

The new coordinator won’t take over for the leads, but rather will provide better communication between the foster program and the animal care manager, shelter behaviorist, veterinary team and field services team, which handles cases. The position basically will provide one point of communication between the foster program’s many stakeholders and shelter staff units.

The foster program at SAS is around 20 years old, and it’s a fairly recent development that adoptable animals have been able to move into foster homes. The shelter also can put animals taken during law enforcement cases into foster homes, which is “absolutely amazing for the animals,” Bahrakis said.

“As much as we work so hard to make the shelter environment a comfortable place for animals to live, we struggle with a few things, such as choice and control over what happens, providing social interaction, and reducing stress,” said Dr. Sheila Segurson, DVM, a behavioral consultant for the shelter. “Homes are generally a lot less stressful and more happy. Less scary noises, less weird smells, less stressed animals, more comfort, more play, and more love.”

During COVID shutdowns, the shelter needed to limit staffing so the vast majority of animals needed to move to foster. And the Seattle community stepped up.

“There were over 250 small animals, and our foster parents just showed up in force. There were so many parents who helped take care of this … to take pressure off the shelter,” Bahrakis said.

Bringing in the Foster Coordinator supports this move toward creating a more robust program.

“(We’re working to) shore up what we have and continue to build,” Bahrakis said. “While we do our very best, a shelter is no place for an animal to stay long term. (We want to create) a more sustainable foster program, the best we can do for animals in our community.”

And beyond that, the scope of the Foster Coordinator role could expand even into community engagement, giving new audiences a voice in animal welfare and inspiring new people to volunteer.

“There’s room for us to reach out to more underserved communities, to folks who may not know that we are their shelter, that we have these opportunities in-home and in shelter to volunteer.”

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To support the Seattle Animal Shelter’s new foster coordinator position and the many animals in need, the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation hosted the 2022 Furevermore Auction and Gala. Thanks to all of our supporters, donors, and volunteers for the outstanding evening.

Furevermore 2022 Sneak Peak!

Posted on Sep 11Oct 21 by Tom

In the lead-up to the event, we will be featuring some of our donated items that will be available. Check back for updates and more of what you could win at Furevermore on October 29th, 2022. And if you haven’t already, get your tickets before we run out!

A couple quick notes:

We now have a raffle going where you can win further prizes like a wine tasting!
We are excited to reveal the signature cocktail at the event: The Paws-mo! We don’t want to give too many spoilers out, so come try this cocktail!

XOBC Wine Tasting

XOBC Cellars bottled the goodness that comes out of sharing a meal with a friend or stranger. The winery was founded in 2019 by multi-Grammy winning artist Brandi Carlile, her wife Catherine, and their friends, Jeri and Amy Andrews. These women fused music and wine with a common goal of making a difference by donating proceeds from XOBC Cellars to Brandi’s Looking Out Foundation (LOF).

A true outlier, showcasing female & LGBTQ+ leadership, this team of women in wine has raised the bar for the entire industry. Now you and up to 12 of your friends can sip on this wine. Let Team XOBC treat you and your guests to a tailored private experience.

During the tasting (typically 60-90 minutes) we share the story of how XOBC Cellars began, why our Walla Walla vineyards make such fantastic wine, our sustainable farming practices, and the ways in which your support gives back to LOF, all interspersed with questions from your group and plenty of tasting.

6-nights on an African Safari

Zulu Nyala Private Game Reserve provides a unique bush experience in the heart of one of South Africa’s most diverse conservation regions. Nestled between the wilderness reserves of Mkuze, Hluhluwe, St Lucia and Sodwana Bay, this lush stretch of paradise is home to a wide variety of game, from the majestic elephant to rhino, buffalo, hippo, giraffe, the secretive leopard and cheetah and the shy Nyala antelope that are endemic to the region.

The privately owned reserve is home to over 40 different species of animal and magnificent birdlife. A large variety of game reserve activities and excursions are available to all guests of Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge and Hemingway Tented Camp.

Read more in this document about the trip!

2 Seahawks tickets and a signed football

Claim 2 tickets to see the Seahawks play at Lumen Field and sit amongst the fans in section 126. Specific games are TBD at Furevermore.

Winners of this prize will also receive a signed football from NFL Hall of Famer Walter Jones! Jones played with the Seahawks of 180 games and was selected into the Hall of Fame on his first year of eligibility.

Guided Truffle Hunting

Join us on a truffle hunt with an exclusive Guided Truffle Hunting Experience. Our guide will take you to a known truffle patch and show you the fascinating world of truffle hunting with dogs. We promise you will not be disappointed when you see the dog and handler work in tandem to locate the underground treasures. Please no dogs as it can be very distracting to the dog who is working.

We recommend you budget about 1/2 day for this experience. The truffle hunt itself will last about 1.5 to 2 hrs from the moment you set boots and paws in the woods until the time you return to vehicles. Travel time to location varies and is generally 1.5 to 3 hours round trip from the nearest major city (see locations in the scheduling form below).

Guests provide their own transportation and bring proper attire and any food/ water. You get to keep everything that is found. We’ll show you how to clean and care for them, as well as provide some recipe ideas, and we’ll sample some delicious truffle-infused goodies back at the vehicles! It’ll be a magical day in the woods. Read more!

2 tasting menus with wine parings and a night at the willows inn

The beautiful Willows Inn is located on Lummi Island and is widely known for its world-class restaurant. Booked months in advance, this is an excellent chance to try to food for yourself, then retire to your room on the premises.

Lummi Island’s quiet atmosphere is great for relaxing and taking in the beautiful views. During the day there are art communities, farms, and other small attractions. For outdoorsy folks, there are some hikes and kayaking options available as well. Get away from the city and enjoy the beauty Lummi and an outstanding evening of food.

Custom Dog house from Backspace Sheds

The winner of this awesome item will get a custom dog house, courtesy of our friends at bAckspace Sheds. After a hard day of chasing squirrels, protecting your yard from airplanes, and generally zooming about, your dog deserves to relax in luxury. Perfect for all dogs, these houses will keep your furry friend out of ruff conditions.

If you want to check out some of the designs by bAckspace Sheds, check out their Instagram!

2022 Furevermore Auction & Gala

Posted on Aug 21Sep 7 by Tom

*** For tickets to Furevermore 2023, please visit this page! ***

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Here is our 2022 event information:

fundraising for animal shelter programs

It’s time to auction like it’s 2019! We are returning back in-person to the National Nordic Museum in Ballard on October 29th, 2022. Join us for a fun evening of catching up and bidding on a wide selection of items from our generous donors. Proceeds from this event go towards supporting crucial programs at Seattle Animal Shelter.

Sports tickets, local restaurant tastings, pet gear, and one-of-a-kind travel opportunities are just some of the items ready to go to the highest bidder. Plus, there’s the chance to feature your pet on the next SASF calendar or make them the star of next year’s Furry 5K and Furevermore!

Space is limited to 350, so get your tickets today to win cool stuff, play games, and help animals all over the city get the care they need.

More than just an auction

Furevermore includes all kinds of fun events for animal lovers. Here just a few of the planned activities for the evening in addition to the 100+ items in live and silent auction:

Meet and greet with adoptable puppies, kittens, or bunnies
A full course meal
Cocktail hour
“You as an animal” portraits
Photo booths
Other exciting raffles and entertainment

2022 TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT