This week marks a special week for us at Cascade Kennels; it’s National Change a Pet’s life week and this is a cause that is very near and dear to our hearts. Many of the pets that we care for now, and have cared for over the years, are rescue pets. As people in the business of caring for animals, we feel this is one of the BEST things a family can do because it can literally change a pet’s life. In honor of this week, where we recognize these organizations that do change the life of pets, we’d like to share with you some local organizations that are working daily to change the life of needy pets and place them in their happy, forever home.
LOCAL PET SHELTERS
Homeward Pet Adoption Center: This shelter is located in Woodinville and was founded in 1990 by Peggy Barnish. Her desire was to open a NO-KILL shelter where, if euthanasia was used, it was used as an absolute last resort to relieve the pain and suffering of an animal. As word began to spread about Homeward’s No-kill policy, pet adoptions increased, and the shelter has experienced steady growth since its beginning. In 2011 the shelter moved to its current location in Woodinville thanks to the generosity of donors. Check out their website for ways you can get involved.
Puget Sound Rescue: This South King County organization has been dedicated to the saving and rescuing of animals for the past 20 years. There are many ways to get involved with this organization: fostering, donations, pet adoptions or volunteering your time.
PAWS Companion Animal Shelter: This wonderful organization, located in Lynnwood, offers many opportunities to help needy animals, from adoptions, to rehabilitating orphaned wildlife, and taking time to visit schools and community centers in order to educate people about animals. Visit their website to learn more and find ways you can get involved with this organization.
Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue: This organization is dedicated to placing unwanted and abandoned purebreds into new homes. They work with both private individuals as well as shelters to find new homes for unwanted dogs. Because of the specialty of this organization, one of the specific ways to get involved is by becoming a Breed Rep or Co-rep. Visit their website to learn more about being a rep as well as other ways to get involved with their organization.
Seattle Area Feline Rescue: The mission of this organization is to save the lives of homeless, neglected and at-risk cats and kittens. There are a number of ways to get involved with this organization from volunteering in their center, to fostering, or simply making a donation.
Old Dog Haven: ODH is devoted to re-homing abandoned older dogs (8 years and up). Many people shy away from taking older dogs simply because they are older and feel their time with them would be too short. As understandable as this is, these older dogs still need to be in loving homes as they live out their final years. There are many ways to get involved with ODH, such as opening your home to foster senior dogs, adopting, volunteering, monetary donations and sponsoring a final refuge dog.
These are just a few of the many organizations in our area that work tirelessly to love and support homeless pets. However, not all pets are dogs and cats. There are some organizations that work to rescue “less conventional” pets such as:
The important fact to remember is that there are many ways to change a pet’s life. We want to encourage you to find a way that you and your family may get involved, because not only will you change the life of a pet, you will very likely change your own life as well.
