News Archives - Page 5 of 7 - Seattle Animal Foundation

Save the Date: Furevermore Returns October 29, 2022

Posted on Aug 8Sep 7 by Tom

Posted August 8, 2022

UPDATE: Registration is now closed, thank you!

The Furevermore Auction & Gala is back on October 29^th, 2022!

After going virtual in 2020 and cancelling in 2021, the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation is thrilled to announce Furevermore is back in person this year.

We’ll welcome 350 of our top supporters to the National Nordic Museum to enjoy:

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

A full course meal
Bidding on 100+ items in a live and silent auction

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 2023 SASF calendar or make them the star of next year’s Furry 5K and Furevermore!

Have fun and donate to a good cause as we look to raise over $200,000 and to help fund life-saving programs at the Seattle Animal Shelter.

With the money raised from this event, we’re looking to fund a full-time foster care coordinator to increase the number of dogs, cats, and critters that are placed in foster homes and provide direct support to foster parents and animals. Your donations in support of this foster care coordinator position will make a difference for so many neglected dogs, cats, and critters looking for a second chance.

Seating is limited, so check back on our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to see when tickets become available.

Thanks for your support and we’ll see you in October!

Furry 5K 2022: Over $115,000 Raised for the Seattle Animal Shelter!

Posted on Jul 10Jul 10 by Leah Traxel

We did it! This past year’s Furry 5K was bigger than ever before, thanks to generous donations, volunteers, our sponsors, and the hundreds of humans and pets who joined us on June 12 at Seward Park (and even those who participated virtually). The event was packed to the brim with opportunities to connect as a community and support the Seattle Animal Shelter.

Fun on the day

Upon arriving at Seward Park, runners and walkers (two-legged and four-legged alike) were invited to get in on the fun early. There were photo booths and vendors to explore, and presenting sponsor Mud Bay was handing out bandanas to eager pups. It was a joy to see so many furry family members sporting their new gear as they made the 5-kilometer loop next to Lake Washington. Even Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrel joined in, chatting with race participants and giving head scratches to animals as they headed out on the course.

Mayor Harrell, Kara Main-Hester, and Esteban Rodriguez at Furry 5K

Once runners and walkers rounded the last corner and came in sight of the finish line, excited barking filled the park as humans and pets raced towards the finish line. There was the classic rehydration station and also a little something extra for the pups (tennis balls) that greeted finishers as they passed through the final arch — exciting many dogs who could have kept on going.

The fun didn’t stop there. The various booths, food trucks and activities kept runners and walkers entertained long after their 3-mile loop. The dog agility course was a crowd favorite and showcased the talents of plenty of pups.

Dogs lounging in kiddy pools at Furry 5K

Check out more event day photos in our 2022 Furry 5K photo album.

The impact of the Furry 5K

Beyond the joy of the actual race, this year’s Furry 5K helped provide the Seattle Animal Shelter with much needed funds and support. Every dollar raised through donations will help the pets at the shelter receive the medical attention, behavioral support, and loving care they need and deserve.

We’re proud to say that we surpassed our fundraising goal of $100,000! This year’s Furry 5K event raised $115,145 for the Seattle Animal Shelter. This money will be used to support so many animals in the shelter and allow the facilities and people working within the shelter to continue their vital work.

Thank you to all involved

None of this would have been possible without the support of donors, volunteers, and sponsors. This year’s race was put on by more than 100 volunteers, and we all know it wouldn’t be the same without the dedication of that group. Volunteers actually created the first Furry 5K back in 1999 to raise funds for the Seattle Animal Shelter’s veterinary needs and they still organize the event to this day.

The Furry 5K wouldn’t be what it is without the donors and participants that come out, rain or shine, to help support the shelter animals they care about. Whether you ran, walked, donated, led a team, shared a post on social media, or anything in between — thank you. Your support helps the Seattle Animal Shelter keep doing amazing work.

It takes a village to put on a race like the Furry 5K, and a huge part of that community are our sponsors. These sponsors provide the shelter with invaluable resources to create a fun, impactful event that truly matters to the animals in need of the care that the shelter provides. Thank you to:

A special shout out to our presenting sponsor, Mud Bay, for also donating $1 for each mile ran at the Furry 5K, for a total of $3,252!

Looking ahead

While this year was a smashing success, there are always more opportunities to support the shelter. Keep an ear out on future fundraising and community-building events by subscribing to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation newsletter. You can also donate today to help support the shelter’s ongoing needs.

Mud Bay Delivers Donations and Sponsorship to Help Make Furry 5K a Success

Posted on May 20May 20 by Leah Traxel

Mud Bay is delighted to be a longtime partner supporting the work of Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation, and a recurring Presenting Sponsor of one of SASF’s signature events—the Furry 5K. Last year, in addition to sponsorship, Mud Bay was also able to donate 1,600 pounds of high-quality food to the shelter. Since 2017, Mud Bay has donated over $1.3 million dollars supporting exemplary nonprofit organizations such as SASF.

This year, Mud Bay Delivery is pleased to be participating in several ways, including the bandana sponsorship, and will have members of our Delivery Team on-site to hand out bandanas—as well as pet treats—to folks at Furry 5K.

Also, Mud Bay Delivery has pledged to donate $1 for each and every mile walked/ran during the Furry 5K event on June 12^th.

“We love working with Seattle Animal Shelter, and Furry 5K is always one of our favorite events,” said Justin Anderson, Marketing Program Manager for Mud Bay. “Between the adorable bandanas Mud Bay Delivery team members are handing out, and the $1 match for every mile, we hope this will be the best Furry 5K yet!”

So, grab your friends and family and register for the Furry 5K today, which benefits the Help the Animals Fund at Seattle Animal Shelter, supporting medical care for pets in need. And when you’re there, look for the Mud Bay Delivery crew to say hi and get a bandana and a treat for your pet!

From Helpless to Happy: How Rue Found Her Courage

Posted on May 11May 11 by Leah Traxel

When Rue came to the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) in October 2021, she could barely look at anyone. For weeks, the four-year-old American pitbull terrier mix remained curled up in the corner, averting eye contact, and avoiding all human interactions. The more staff and volunteers tried to engage with her, the tighter she curled up against the wall, even staying in that position overnight.

One of the shelter’s more difficult cases, Rue was rescued by the Seattle Police Department from a hotel room, where she was found penned in her own waste alongside several other dogs. Her companions were covered in scars consistent with dog fighting. While SAS’s medical examination showed Rue to be physically well, her emotional scars ran deep.

Rue scared — Shortly after arriving to SAS, Rue curled up in fear.

“If you looked at her, moved towards her—even to just place a food bowl down—she would curl up tighter or push herself even further against the wall,” said SAS’s lead behaviorist Kimberlee Spicer. “We would attempt to take her out on walks, but she did not want to move. If we needed to get her out to clean her kennel, she would walk with a tense body—tail tucked, ears back, closed tight mouth, and pupils dilated.”

Kimberlee explained that Rue was exhibiting behaviors consistent with a condition known as learned helplessness, which can develop when a dog is repeatedly frightened or abused and learns to shut down, believing they have no control.

SAS’s behavior team immediately stepped in to help, starting by moving Rue out of her kennel and into a quieter shared office space. Typically, a behavior training session consists of walks, treats, and lively positive reinforcement. For Rue, the trainer would come into the office, sit down at a comfortable distance, read to her for several minutes, drop a tasty treat on the floor, and then slip back out.

Rue and Kimberlee at the shelter — Kimberlee sits with Rue in a non-threatening manner.

Progress was slow and steady. Rue would not eat in front of anyone (a significant show of trust for a dog) or move from her corner, even to go to the bathroom. But around a month into the behavior program after constant and consistent support, Rue began improving, moving about the office space, taking a treat from an outstretched palm, and allowing the staff and volunteers to take her on brief walks around the parking lot.

Rue dog getting pets — After a brief walk with Kimberlee, Rue allows a shelter volunteer to pet her.

Finally, Rue was taken in by an amazing foster family. Her foster parents, Krista and Andrew, were endlessly patient with her, allowing her the time, space, and praise to learn to be a normal dog again. They worked with Rue on house training, leash training, being around people, exploring the yard. They also exposed her to different people and rooms in the home, sounds and textures.

Rue especially benefited from being around her foster brothers and sisters. While she was hesitant to seek out interactions with them, she was observant, watching how the other dogs behaved and slowly mirroring their behaviors.

Rue takes cues on how to relax from watching other dogs.

After two and a half months in foster, Rue was adopted on February 9, 2022. Some animals will backtrack when they are adopted, but Rue leaped forward. Less than a week after her adoption, she was eating in the kitchen (not in her crate), sleeping on a dog bed in an open room, and spending time with her new family in the open living spaces. Like her namesake, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, she was courageous.

Her new favorite activities are performing zoomies and leaping over the small stream in her backyard; taking car rides with her little head out the back window; and eating vanilla ice cream from Salt & Straw with her big brother, Spike, another SAS rescue.

“Our goal was to get Rue’s little tail to wag, even just once, by her 1-year ‘Gotcha Day’ (adoption) anniversary,” said Shannon Ryan, her adoptive mom. “I am happy to report that Rue’s little tail now wags daily, and it makes my heart so happy every time I see it.”

Successes like this would not be possible without the continued generosity of SASF donors, who provide support for programs such as dog behavior training and the vet clinic. If you are interested in supporting the important work SAS does in getting animals to their forever homes, consider joining the annual Furry 5K. Held at Seward Park on June 12, 2022, the proceeds from this fun walk/run go directly to the Help the Animals Fund at the Seattle Animal Shelter, which supports medical care for pets in need.

Rue dog snuggles — Roo is comfortable in her forever home and loves snuggling with her new mom.

We Weren’t Looking for a New Cat

Posted on Apr 28Apr 29 by Scott Marlow

Originally posted 4/29/20

The Seattle Animal Shelter has been making a difference in the lives of pets and pet owners for nearly 50 years. Irina Mueller, SAS volunteer and cat mom, shares how SAS helped her find a best friend for life.

“We lost our previous cat in August 2017. It was devastating. We weren’t looking for a new cat. We even moved into a new apartment with a “no pet” clause. I started volunteering at the Seattle Animal Shelter in the fall of 2018. Oliver, a handsome tabby originally called Cheezy, came to the shelter in early March 2019.

Oliver was recently diagnosed with diabetes, and unfortunately his previous owner could not afford to take care of him. At the shelter, he received the treatment needed to control his diabetes by taking insulin twice a day. We were so happy to see the shelter give him the care he needed. Having a cat on insulin is an extra monthly expense, and the shelter was able to give him the very best treatment regardless of cost, thanks to donations from the Seattle community.

Despite his medical needs, Oliver was such an affectionate cat. I would sit on the floor and he would climb into my lap, purr, put his head in my hand and nap. He quickly became my favorite cat. I could not stop talking about him. I even got special permission from our landlord to have a cat! Then I talked my husband into meeting him.

We brought Oliver home in early April 2019. As advised, we kept Oliver confined to one room to allow him to adapt to his new surroundings – for about a night. He could hear us from “his” room and was not happy being by himself. He owned the apartment within 24 hours. Our adjustment period was significantly longer than his; we never had a cat with medical needs before. The veterinarian on duty showed us how to give Oliver his insulin shots and check his blood glucose levels. It took a while, but we figured it out -it was well worth it to have Oliver in our lives.

What seemed daunting in the beginning is now routine. We had to adjust our lifestyle of being home every 12 hours to give Oliver his insulin, and my work-life balance greatly improved. All the adjustments have been worth it. Oliver has been part of our family for about a year now, is much loved, and is spoiled rotten. He is still a total snuggle bug, an excellent biscuit maker and has the loudest purr (some drooling included). He loves being around people. The lap is still his favorite place, and he can stay there for hours. Now that he’s a senior cat, he also enjoys sleeping in the sun in our tiny, escape-proof and safe yard.

I am thankful that the Seattle Animal Shelter gives animals like Oliver a chance to find forever homes and live happy (and hopefully) healthy lives. Oliver taught me that he is more than an “older cat with medical needs” – I just had to look past the label. I am glad I did, because I cannot image him not being a part of my life and our family.”

To help pets like Oliver get the love and care they need, donate to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation. 100% of donations help pets, like Oliver, get the care they need while waiting for their forever homes.

Faces of the Furry 5K 2022 – Lemon and Walter

Posted on Apr 15Jul 23 by Leah Traxel

This year’s Furry 5K is just around the corner. On June 12, hundreds of King County animal lovers will gather at Seward Park alongside their four-legged companions to walk or run in the name of helping pets. A good event needs a good ambassador, or maybe even two. This year’s face(s) of the Furry 5K are Lemon and Walter: two very good dogs.

How did these two pups become such an important part of this race? Each fall, the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) hosts an auction and gala to raise funds for the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS). While the pandemic caused a few changes in plans over the last two years, it did not stop Lemon and Walter’s owner, Chris Priest, from making a generous donation to secure his pups as the Face of the Furry 5K. We had the privilege of sitting down with Chris to learn more about his beloved dogs, his history with the Furry 5K, and who is really in charge of their household.

Lemon and Walter (two dogs) posing nicely — Lemon (left) and Walter, this year’s Faces of the Furry 5K, sit pretty for their headshot.

Our conversation with Chris

SASF: First thing’s first… – Can you tell us a little bit about Walter and Lemon?

Chris: Lemon is a border collie/terrier mutt we adopted from a shelter in Sun Valley, Idaho. We had lost a wonder dog (Daisy Mae, who was from the Seattle Animal Shelter), and there was something about adorable, crazy Lemon that reminded us of her.

Lemon is a gregarious herder who loves people (especially kids) and certain other dog pals. She is the fastest thing, crazy agile, and very smart. It’s hard for us to keep up with her quite often.

Little Walter is a little terrier mix who was found wandering the streets; some kids took him to a vet, and they cared for him for a month before relinquishing him to the shelter. We fell in love immediately, and so did Lemon. Walter is a smarty pants and the boss. He rules the roost, and Lemon loves him more than she might [love] us. They are the best of friends and bring us delight every day.

Why were you interested in having your dogs be the Face of the Furry 5K?

We love the Seattle Animal Shelter and the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation, and a highlight of our year is the annual auction. We’ve had our dogs on the side of buses (twice), in the calendar (three times), and all sorts of other prizes. It just made sense to do the Furry 5K — that, and Lemon is crazy fast. We wanted to support the Seattle Animal Shelter and do something fun and different!

Two dogs (Lemon and Walter) playing — The two dogs discovered they were perfect playmates right away. Here, Lemon (left) and Walter display their polite playing technique.

How do Lemon and Walter affect your life? Do they help you maintain any sort of daily routines or bring a new appreciation to your daily activities?

Lemon and Walter ARE our daily lives. Besides work and food, everything we do centers around our pack. We go on lots of walks every day, go on runs, and play fetch and all sorts of games.

They have both gone to more training and more classes than either of their humans have. They love to be challenged and to play, so we spend a lot of time training, doing exercises, and having fun. We go down to Yelm a few times a month so Lemon can herd sheep and Walter can bark. They love it!

[Because we work] from home, they are very rarely alone. We have morning walks, afternoon walks, and night walks. We go to a lot of places that allow dogs, too, so they go out to eat with us or meet friends with us all the time.

These two make every day extra special. From crazy play episodes that take over the entire house to all the people in our neighborhood who greet them, every day is more fun and more interesting because of these two.

What are you looking forward to about this year’s Furry 5K?

Both Lemon and Walter love to go on runs. I used to run to and from work with Lemon, and her and I have participated in the Furry 5K three times. It’s such a fun, entertaining, and healthy event — we love to participate.

Lemon loves people, so I think her getting attention and being recognized as the Face of the Furry 5K will make her very happy. We plan to arrive early and take photos and do whatever helps the Foundation increase participation and the fun factor. Come meet Lemon and Walter!

Okay, last question. If someone was interested in potentially participating in the Furry 5K this summer, what is one thing you’d tell them?

It’s all about the animals. The work the Seattle Animal Shelter and Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation do for dogs, cats, critters, and friends is remarkable. This is a chance to run or walk, have a fun time, support each other, and raise money for the shelter. There are lots of teams, so there’s lots of support. It’s fun, and it is so important to show how much our community supports the animals!

How to join in on the fun

There’s still plenty of time to sign up for this June’s Furry 5K! Check out the Furry 5K website to learn more about participating.

If you’re interested in your pet being the Face of the Furry 5K at a future event, keep an eye out for the Furevermore Auction & Gala coming this October. Who knows – maybe your best friend will be the star of next year’s race!

The 2022 Furry 5K is Back In-Person June 12!

Posted on Mar 28Mar 28 by Leah Traxel

Furry 5K Promo June 12, 2022 at Seward Park

The dogs are barking! The cats are meowing! The critters are… crittering? We’re all so excited to announce the Furry 5K is back in-person in 2022!

Dog and humans are welcome to join the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) on Sunday, June 12^th as we make a triumphant return to Seward Park to host the in-person Furry 5K Fun Run & Walk.

Sign up for the Furry 5K now to take advantage of early-bird pricing and reserve your race bib, goody bag, and 2022 Furry 5K t-shirt.

On Sunday, June 12^th, the Furry 5K will begin at 11 AM with a staggered start for runners and walkers. After you cross the finish line, make your way through our booths to check out some fun pet products, explore the dog agility course, treat your pup to a dip in the kiddie pool, or hook them up with a treat from Puddles Barkery.

dog in a tutu surrounded by run participants

You’ll then hear awards given to the top three 5K finishers, top individual fundraiser, top team fundraiser, and the best costumes (both human and dog costumes, of course).

We hope to see over 1,000 people at the race, and 100% of proceeds will go toward the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS). So spread the word and get a group of friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, cat sitters, or dog-walking buddies to race with you.

SAS has done so much to support pets over the years. In 2021 alone, the shelter helped:

Get 226 dogs, 363 cats, and 122 critters adopted.
Provide 898 spay and neuter surgeries.
Investigate 741 animal cruelty cases.
Reunite 454 lost animals with their owners.
Rescue 351 wild animals.
Perform 7,000 vet exams.
Serve 366 animals via the pet food bank.

We are so grateful for everyone who has supported the shelter after all these years (even when the Furry 5K was virtual in both 2020 and 2021). Let’s give back to SAS once more and raise $100,000 at the 2022 Furry 5K!

Two dogs and three runners finishing the race

Share why you’re excited to race by tagging SASF on Instagram and Facebook and using #furry5kseattle and #furry5k to connect with our pet-loving community.

Many thanks to our sponsors, especially our Presenting Sponsor, Mud Bay, who help make this event possible with their amazing support for the Seattle Animal Shelter. A huge thank you to:

Volunteer Spotlight: Jack Herndon

Posted on Feb 16Mar 25 by Leah Traxel

We caught up with celebrated Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) volunteer, Jack Herndon, and asked him about his time supporting the shelter.

Read below to learn about Jack’s volunteer journey.

How do you support the Seattle Animal Shelter?

Misty, Jack's "foster fail" — Misty, Jack’s foster fail cat

My first involvement with the shelter was in the cat foster program. My wife and I attended training, covered a few vacation needs, and took on a full-time foster for a 12-year-old cat named Misty. We knew her from one of our vacation covers. She was with us for a while, settling her digestive and temperament issues. When it came time to write her bio for the website, we realized she was the perfect cat for us. So, in the end, we adopted her. Unfortunately, she is not friendly to other cats, so that ended our involvement as a foster.

I still wanted to be involved with the shelter, so I signed up for the 9-Lives cat care program. I completed training and had just become an active member of the 9-Lives group when the shelter closed to most volunteers in response to the pandemic. I recognized there would still be a place for shelter helpers because they worked solo. I performed some of that work in my spare time during my 9-Lives shift, so I switched volunteer positions.

I am very happy working now as a shelter helper — doing laundry, cleaning animal care dishes and toys, and stocking bedding and handling supplies like dog walking vests, collars and leashes. And to answer a question you might have: No, it doesn’t dampen the way I feel about doing the same kind of cleaning work at home.

What made you want to volunteer for SAS?

I’ve grown up with dogs and had cats in my life for almost all of my adult life. When our last cat passed away, we still wanted them in our lives — but in consideration of our age and retirement plans, we didn’t want to go straight into getting another kitten or adolescent cat. We decided to get involved with the Seattle Animal Shelter because of the good reputation and the proximity to our home.

What is your favorite thing about volunteering?

I like interactions with the staff and other volunteers. The atmosphere is very positive and supporting, both for the people and the animals. I like the work I do as a shelter helper because, for the most part, I see what needs to be done and do it. Of course, if that falls outside of the normal job requirements I check with the staff and, as needed, the supervisor first.

Why do you believe volunteering is important?

I was brought up being involved in community, both in my neighborhood and my city. As a grownup, I continue doing what I can to help the community. I like to apply my experience and knowledge where I can be helpful. Using my cat experience, I became involved with the shelter. With the experience I have from caring for my parents, I work with the Greenwood Senior Center Village program to help seniors stay in their homes. Previously, I applied my love of cooking at a meal program, and computer skills at the front desk of a food bank.

How has volunteering impacted your life?

When I retired, for a while I wondered what I would be doing during my days. I wanted to something engaging and uplifting that also gave me a chance to interact with other people. Giving my time to community needs fills that for me. A bonus is the appreciation you get from those you help.

What advice would you give to people who want to help shelter pets?

Sometimes your first try at volunteering might not work out the way you hoped it would. That is what happened with me. If that is the case, and you really like being around animals, try a different volunteer service at the shelter and see if that is a better fit.

Do you have a volunteer story you’re particularly proud of?

I was working as shelter helper during the arrival of three different intake events from animal hording. The first event was a mix of small and large animals; the second was a very large number of cats; and the third was a couple dozen chihuahuas. In all the cases, I was amazed at how quickly the staff shifted priorities, coordinated to shuffle workloads and assignments, and generally supported each other to get through the deluge… All of that while keeping a focus on giving the animals the best quality of care. I was more than willing to put in extra shelter helper time in support of these hard-working folks.

What message do you have for supporters of SAS and the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF)?

The shelter has been in operation for quite some time. As a result, things wear out and need replacement. Some of those things are machines or equipment that can’t easily be replaced when they break because they are not in the year’s budget. That is one of the key functions of SASF. In my case, I recognized several deficiencies and replacements. I am coordinating with the SASF and shelter staff to fund replacing old equipment so they won’t be caught with failures that effect their ability to do their work. I am also working to add some items that make it easier to accomplish some aspects of shelter work.

What else would you like to share?

My work at SAS has been one of the most positive volunteer experiences I have ever had. I’ve worked in the shelter helper position for some time. I am currently out of the shelter recovering from an elective surgery. As soon as I am sufficiently mobile, I’ll be back folding towels and washing dishes. I really miss my time there.

—–

Thank you for all of your support, Jack!

If you’re interested in supporting shelter pets, check out Seattle Animal Shelter volunteer positions or Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation volunteer roles.

Join us for the 2022 Furry 5K

Posted on Feb 11Mar 8 by Leah Traxel

Two dogs with Furry 5K information image

A Fun Run/Walk to Benefit Seattle Animals

Join other animal lovers in the Seattle area to raise money for the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation, as we return in-person at Seward Park on June 12, 2022 at 11 a.m. Join us to run or walk in-person or virtually in support of the Help the Animals Fund at the Seattle Animal Shelter, which supports medical care for pets in need.

Learn More on Our Registration Site

What It Means to Be a SASF Board Member

Posted on Jan 26Aug 14 by Leah Traxel

The Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) does a lot to raise money for pets at the Seattle Animal Shelter. We host the Furry 5K, collect donations from small donors or large companies, volunteer directly at the shelter, and even host an auction and gala. We do all of this with only one paid employee, largely relying on volunteers to help raise money for pets in need.

In March, the foundation hopes to recruit new board members with particular focuses in:

Recruiting
Fundraising & Development
Furry 5K & Community Events
Auction Planning

Check out our current volunteer openings for more information and to see if you or someone you know could be a good fit.

For now, we’ll continue expressing our thanks to our current board members and sharing stories about what inspires them to volunteer — in their own words.

David Gorton, Treasurer | 1 year on the board

Why did you decide to volunteer for SASF?

“I decided to serve on the SASF board as it was a perfect opportunity to use my talents and skillset for a cause I believe in. My dog is a rescue, and she has enriched my life so much more than I could have imagined. It’s just such a great feeling being on a team that helps other animals find their forever homes.”

Did you have any concerns prior to joining the board?

“I had prior experience serving on a board, but I was concerned about the time commitment serving on a “working” board [board members not only develop strategies but also execute them]. I’ve found the time commitment to SASF is entirely manageable even with a busy full-time job and has never been an issue.”

What do you like most about volunteering for SASF?

“Everyone is so passionate about animals, and it’s a great being surrounded by such caring people. You can really tell that everyone — board, shelter staff and other volunteers — honestly cares about every single life that comes through the shelter.”

What would you say to someone who was considering joining the board?

“It’s so rewarding to spend your own time helping a very worthy cause. After a full year of serving on the board, I have no regrets having joined. Reach out if you have questions or concerns — we’d love to chat!”

Kara Main-Hester, President | 5 years on the board

Why did you decide to volunteer for SASF?

“I started volunteering at the Seattle Animal Shelter as a dog walker a long time ago. The volunteer program was incredible and was already supporting a lot of the ‘extras,’ like the Furry 5K, fundraising for vet care and promoting spay and neuter — but I knew it could be more and couldn’t be happier to see all the programs that the foundation has been able to support. From vet care to behavior modification to staff training. It’s fabulous!”

Did you have any concerns prior to joining the board?

“I’m always concerned about time commitment. I find that I can work my foundation time commitment into my normal week by doing a bit here and there. Because there is such great support across the whole board, nothing is a huge lift.”

What do you like most about volunteering for SASF?

“I love meeting fellow animal lovers who want to do more for the animals. While direct care and fostering is desperately needed at the animal shelter, I feel that the Foundation multiplies those efforts to allow for much more lifesaving work.”

What would you say to someone who was considering joining the Board?

“DO IT. It is great experience, you know that you have a direct effect on saving lives, and the board is a fun group of people.”

Katy Thweatt, Marketing Chair | 2 years on the board

Why did you decide to volunteer for SASF?

“I began fostering cats with the Seattle Animal Shelter in 2015. It wasn’t long before I began to hear about SASF and saw all the ways the foundation supported pets at SAS. I wanted to help shelter pets any way I could, so I responded to the SASF recruiter about joining the team.”

Did you have any concerns prior to joining the board?

“I first started volunteering on the marketing committee as an email coordinator. I was concerned that moving into the marketing chair position on the board would involve work that wasn’t in my wheelhouse. I took a leap of faith and applied anyway. I soon realized there were enough helpful people on the board and on my marketing team that I never feel alone in handling new opportunities.”

What do you like most about volunteering for SASF?

“At the beginning of our monthly board meeting, we all share good news that’s happened in our lives. I love hearing all the updates on people’s pets. Plus, now that we’re meeting virtually on video calls, I can see everyone’s pets on screen!”

What would you say to someone who was considering joining the Board?

“I’m sure you have reasons why you might not want to commit to a volunteer position. However, there could be no greater calling than using your time to help pets in need alongside some awesome people.”

See how you could support the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation, and check out our current volunteer openings .