Seattle Humane recently opened their new $28.5 million, 3-story, 57,000 square foot facility after two years of fundraising campaigns. Established in 1897, Seattle Humane has been sheltering animals for over a century in the greater Seattle area with the mission statement that they will, according to their website, “promote the human-animal bond by saving and serving pets in need, regardless of age, ability, circumstance or geography.”
Within the new facility, hundreds of pets are housed in cleaner environments while they wait to be adopted, with entire floors being dedicated to either dogs or cats. The shelter holds approximately 156 dogs, 213 cats and 15 critters – 10 percent more than their previous facility. Additionally, 4,000 animals are in their foster care system, including underage puppies and kittens, older animals and certain animals recovering from surgery. With the new space the facility will now be able to care for almost 10,000 animals annually compared to the 2016/17 number of 7,000 pets cared for.
Seattle Humane further outlines its dedication to local animals, stating, “Every animal in need of our help, regardless of age, breed, or physical condition. We provide them with the care they deserve for as long as it takes us to find them a loving home.”
Amanda Anderson, public relations specialist for Seattle Humane, stressed the importance of the increase in quality that the animals are receiving after the rebuild. With new clean ventilation systems, sound dampening technology, additional dog runs for pets, larger sized kennels and other amenities being provided, the general quality of life for the animals has improved as a result of the remodel.
Similarly, the facility upgraded their veterinary clinic where animals are neutered, spayed, vaccinated, microchipped and have their teeth cleaned. The clinic totes a 98.61 percent life saving rate which is among the highest in the nation. With the fundraising money the clinic now accommodates six operating tables, triple what it had previously and other updated tools for assisting animals.
The clinic is also used as a small training ground for veterinarians out of Washington State University; over 5,100 surgical procedures have been done with their two week practice sessions offered to practice spaying and neutering in a real world setting.
Seattle Humane also underlines the importance of action taken to save pets and help pet owners with support for bills such as SB 9196 WA, which assists in providing care for pets from low-income families. According to their press release on the bill, the Seattle Humane society requests, “Please support Washington shelters by urging your representatives and senators to support legislation that enables animal control and humane societies to provide veterinary care for pets of low-income families. One of the top reasons families are forced to relinquish their pets is due to the inability to afford veterinary care, often in emergency situations. This legislation will help keep families together and pets out of shelters.