Kittens that are currently in foster care will be available for adoption during a special event sponsored by the Seattle Animal Shelter.  You can adopt two kittens for the price of one.  The shelter has already provided spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchip.  The adoption event takes place this Sunday, August 8 at the Whole Foods in Interbay from 11am to 1pm. 

You can find more information here.

This week we feature some non-traditional pets that might appeal to those who are looking for a furry friend but who don’t have the space or time to devote to a dog or a cat. Folks at the shelter can help you decide if these pets are a good fit and show you in on the kind of care they need.

Ricky is a sweet, all white male Guinea Pig.  He has beautiful big eyes and he is very friendly and outgoing.  He often stands on his cage bars and talk quietly to you, hoping you’ll let him come out and play. Guinea Pigs make great pets; do a little research then stop by the shelter to see if a Guinea Pig is right for you.

Geronimo is a very curious and interactive gerbil, who loves to explore, play, and rearrange things in his cage.  He likes to watch what you are doing too.  He runs on his wheel, and plays with paper and cardboard.  He is great fun to watch and is looking for a home with someone who will enjoy his company.

You can get more information on these two here. 

The Seattle Animal Shelter provides a temporary home to more than just dogs and cats, and we want to introduce you to some of these shelter residents who are currently looking for a home.

Uno is an English Spot rabbit who would like a quiet, settled home where he can become part of the family.  He is very handsome with his salt and pepper spots. A little bit shy and quiet at first, once he gets to know you he really enjoys hopping all around and all over you. He sometimes will give bunny kisses.  He loves to eat greens, carrots and apples. He is neat and tidy and uses a litterbox.  Check out the bunnycam to see Uno in action.     

Another current shelter resident is Juan Diego, a Columbian Red-Tailed Boa.  Don’t count him out because he’s a snake!  Juan Diego is very inquisitive and likes to watch what’s going on around him.  He has brown and red markings and a black tongue.  He is young and not very big yet, average full-grown size for his species is 6 to 9 feet long and some have grown to be 12 feet long.  He needs a home with someone who really loves snakes and has previous snake experience.  You can check out Juan Diego and all the shelter animals here.

This week’s featured pet from the Seattle Animal Shelter is Abigail.  She is a lovely, petite two year old tabby with a bunny-soft coat and an amazing fluffy plume of a tail.  She was abandoned by her previous owner and deserves much better. 

Abigail was initially a bit reserved with strangers, but during her many weeks in the shelter she has learned to enjoy and even look forward to human attention. She has lived strictly indoors and would be quite content to live out her life as an indoor cat.  Abigail has shared a home with other cats and if you would rlike to get a friend for her the shelter’s two-for-one offer continues until September 30. 

Abigail would be happiest in a quiet home with adults and older children.  She has spent all summer in the shelter and is hoping to be adopted in time to enjoy quiet evenings by the fire with her new family this fall.  Please come to the shelter to visit Abigail in her special spot in the lobby.

This week’s featured pet from the Seattle Animal Shelter is Finn, a gentle bunny who was found as a stray on Phinney Avenue.  The shelter thinks he had a human companion in the past, as he is friendly and easy to approach and pet.

Rabbits are great house pets and require a litter box, some toys, hay, fresh vegetables and some pellet food.  They will entertain you constantly with their silly bunny dances.  Rabbits like to be petted gently on their heads and most like to be gently brushed.  Most rabbits are social and like to live with a rabbit friend if possible. With good care and lots of love, rabbits can live to be 7-10 years old. Visit the shelter’s website for more photos and get information on how to adopt Finn or one of the other pets at the shelter.  

Now that the cougar is gone from Magnolia, its time to focus on another kind of cat. This week’s featured pet from the Seattle Animal Shelter is Tutu, a petite 6-year-old calico tabby with gorgeous green eyes.

This poor girl has been at the shelter way too long. Her previous owner left Tutu and several other pets at the shelter because of a move. Tutu didn’t take well to being in a cage and wasn’t interested in showing her best side with visitors. That has all changed and after 17 weeks in a cage, Tutu is grateful for any attention that she gets. When you reach in a hand to pet her head, she’ll rise up on her hind legs to meet you halfway, and then prance around the cage purring, hoping that you won’t stop.

Like most cats, Tutu has her independent side. She is fine being alone in the house while you’re gone all day since she is house-trained and uses a litterbox. She is the perfect low-maintenance pet. Tutu has lived with other cats, so you could consider adopting a companion for her as well.

Remember that the shelter is having a two for one offer through the month of September. If you adopt two cats, all fees for the second cat will be waived except for licensing. Both cats will be spayed/neutered, microchipped, have had their initial shots and be tested for feline leukemia and each will come with a coupon for a free exam at a local veterinarian.

Please stop by the shelter to visit Tutu in her special corner in the lobby, and consider taking her home. Her photo does not do her justice, she is much prettier in person. While you’re there, say hi to her friend Maggie who is in the adjacent cage.  For adoption information click here.

Seattle Animal Shelter is holding a special kitten adoption event on August 30 (Sunday) and you will be able to take home two new friends for the price of one.  

This is the time of year when there are lots of kittens and they need to find homes for those who are currently in foster care. The event will be held at the shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W., and will run from 10 a.m. to noon. For the adoptathon, enter the shelter’s upper level on the 15th Avenue side. Many different breeds of kittens will be showcased.

From Sunday through September. 30, if you adopt two cats or kittens, all fees will be waived for the second cat, except for licensing.   That means you can adopt two cats or kittens for a maximum of $129.  Normally, the maximum cost of adopting two cats would be $214.

“Because we have so many kittens in foster care, we are holding this special adoptathon, to reach out to people who are looking for special kitties to add to their families. We also want to promote companionship for cats.  By adopting two, you ensure that your new kittens have playmates and companionship for the rest of their lives,” says Don Jordan, Seattle Animal Shelter director.

Adoption includes initial vaccinations, deworming, feline Leukemia testing, certificate for free health exam at local veterinarians, spay or neuter, microchip and two-year Seattle Pet License.    You can check out some cats on the kitty cam here.

Red is a seven and a half year old Pit Bull who is currently in a foster home and really needs a forever home.

He is a smart dog who is eager to please.  He is obedient and learns quickly. He walks on the leash and he knows to sit at curbs before crossing. He also knows many commands such as “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Ok”, “No”, “Up”, “Drop”, “Leave it” “High Five” and more.  He is completely housebroken, likes car trips and is crate trained.

Red is a loyal and loving animal who loves being with people. He plays well with his foster dad’s young godchildren and he likes to play fetch and swim. He can also be mellow, especially if he has has been out to run and play and he loves to sleep on his back with his paws in the air.  Red has a playful streak that will make you laugh and he just needs a home that will appreciate his numerous qualities.

Red is not fond of cats and would do best in a home without them. He does like other friendly dogs but he would prefer to be an only child. If you don’t have Pit Bull breed experience, its best to do some research. Some great resources here.   If you are interested in adopting, contact the Seattle Animal Shelter.

Thanks to Emily Rieman for the photos.   

This week we are bringing you something a little different from the Seattle Animal Shelter. Frank, Dean, Sammy and Joey are male pet rats who are tame, curious and smart and they are waiting to be adopted.  

Rats are intelligent and love to socialize, explore, and play.  They need a large cage with plenty of space to climb and build.  Rats are master nest-builders and make elaborate nests out of bits of cloth, paper, and empty cardboard boxes. Because rats are so social and bond readily, daily socialization with human companions is a must. Rats also greatly enjoy free time in a rat safe play area. Their diet should consist of rodent blocks, supplemented daily with fresh fruits and vegetables.  They love corn, peas, banana, cooked legumes, and tofu.

Rats make loving and rewarding friends and you will be charmed by their curiosity and intelligence. See a video of the Rat Pack here.   If you are interested in adopting, contact the Seattle Animal Shelter.

UPDATE:  Molly has been adopted!

Molly is one of the special pets at the Seattle Animal Shelter who will have her adoption and microchip fees waived until August 18.

Molly is a beautiful, willowy, green-eyed cat with a remarkable plume of a tail. Her unusual coat is black with some lighter cinnamon highlights on the chest and cinnamon tufts on her toes!  She is estimated to be about 4 years old. 

Molly would be a perfect choice for a first-time cat owner – she is healthy and has a gentle, calm and friendly demeanor. She is still young, but out of the destructive “kitten” phase.  She enjoys lap-warming and being groomed.  Molly has been at the shelter since May 14 – that’s 13 weeks in a small cage. You’d think a cat that’s been at the shelter for that long would have some negative traits, but in Molly’s case this is simply not true. She is wonderful but understandably tired of being cooped up and she is ready for a new life as a loving companion to someone who is committed to her well-being. 

If you are interested, contact the shelter today to meet Molly and the other available pets.

Today is ’Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet’ Day at Seattle Animal Shelter. There are lots of homeless pets who, for one reason or another, get overlooked.  Sometimes the pet is just shy when potential adopters come to visit. There are also some breeds that receive a bad rap and are harder to place. 

The Seattle Animal Shelter will feature their “less-adoptable-pets” for the whole week of Aug. 12 through Aug. 18.  During this week all pets with the “less-adoptable-pets” designation will have their adoption and microchip fees waived.  Licensing and spay/neuter fees will still apply.  These are pets that have been patiently waiting at the shelter for more than two months for their forever homes.

One of these pets is “Chatty,” a Siamese-mix cat who is 11 years old.  Chatty was surrendered to the shelter because her owners had to move.  She is a sweet cat who loves to sit on your lap and, true to her name, Chatty also likes to carry on conversations with anyone who will listen.  

The Seattle Animal Shelter is located at 2061 – 15th Ave. W., one mile south of the Ballard Bridge. The shelter is open seven days a week, noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions. For more information, call (206) 386- PETS (7387) or visit www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

Clyde is is a handsome 7-8 year old Shepherd mix with a slim 50 pound physique and sparkling brown eyes.

His original family was too old to care for him properly, and when he arrived at the shelter he was very skinny and anxious. With some love and patience in foster care, Clyde is beginning to thrive.  Now he needs a forever home of his own. 

Clyde has good manners, he knows ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘shake’, and ‘down’ commands.  His foster mom calls Clyde her “helper” because he follows her from room to room, with interest in what she’s doing.  He is active and playful, and loves romping in the back yard with his foster siblings.

Clyde’s ideal home will have a fenced yard with room for him to roam around. His favorite toys are a small basketball that he carries around, and a football that he likes to kick and chase.  He is a little klutzy when he plays and it makes him look like a puppy.   Clyde can be vocal, and sometimes bark when he is happy. He loves going for walks and has good leash manners too.

He is good around other dogs but a cat-free home is preferable.  He is ok with kids who are dog savvy. Clyde does have some mild arthritis, but with a little glucosamine at dinner, he is good to go. Clyde is a ladies’ man, he is very comfortable around women and can be rather timid with men. He does warm up in time if you are patient with him. 

If you would like to possibly adopt this wonderful dog, please fill out a Dog Adoption Application and email Seattle Animal Shelter Foster Dog Program. 

You may also pick up/drop off the application at the Seattle Animal Shelter. If you have general questions about this dog, you may call the foster care voicemail line at 206-684-0685. 

Not only does the Seattle Animal Shelter have cats, dogs and small, furry critters, they also have roosters now and then.  This lovely White Rooster as they appropriately call him, is well behaved and very handsome. 

He is proud of his pretty white tail feathers and very trusting with people.  He crows but takes breaks now and then and talks softly to you when you come to visit.  He’s looking for a nice sort of country home in the city where he can potentially spend his days with a group of friendly hens. 

If White Rooster sounds like a good fit for your life, you can visit him at the Seattle Animal Shelter.  Seee him and other available pets on the shelter’s website at www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

This week’s Seattle Animal Shelter featured pet is Neha, a special cat who is in foster care because the shelter was too stressful for her. Neha is a beautiful, healthy dilute calico, about 7 years old.  She’s been passed over for adoption a number of times and desperately needs to find a loving home.

Anyone who has ever known a cat knows that by nature they can be independent and aloof, and must be accepted on their own terms. Neha has the typical feline personality.  She can be cuddlesome when it suits her, and will be devoted to her special person, but prefers to come to you on her own terms. She isn’t unfriendly and will allow visitors to pet her, but she is aloof on first meeting and reserves her affection for those whom she knows well. The problem is that potential adopters who meet Neha end up feeling rejected by her on the basis of a brief initial visit, sadly saying “I don’t think she likes me” when all Neha needs is a little time to warm up to them. We know that Neha will make a great pet for someone, because she has warmed up nicely to the people in her foster home who have earned her trust and affection and have accepted her kitty quirks.
 

Neha has some specific needs in a permanent home. She is very frightened of other cats and must have a home where she is the only pet.  Unfortunately her foster home has resident cats and Neha must be confined to a single room, where her interaction with humans is limited. Neha needs and deserves a home where she can be part of the family and have more freedom. 

Neha tolerates being held for short periods and petted, and enjoys being brushed. When her foster mom enters the room, Neha will lie down and give her the side eye as a way of requesting a brushing session. Occasionally when she has had enough, Neha will let you know by hitting you with her paw (not hard) and running away to calm down on her own. A home without young children would be best for her. Neha has good house manners and uses her litter box faithfully. She will curl up next to you to share a nap, can hold up her end of a conversation and plays energetically with her toys. She is not a needy cat. If you’re busy, she’s content to chill until you have time to devote to her. She is content to live indoors – prefers it in fact, since it means she doesn’t have to contend with other cats – so even a small apartment would be fine for her.

She has become a bit depressed due to repeated rejections from potential adopters.  Surely there is someone out there who will give this cat a secure home where she will be the only cat and can reach her full potential.  If you’d like to meet or just learn more about Neha, please contact the shelter’s foster care hotline at 206-684-0685.