WAG Newsletter | December 2023
Make the Season Merry and Bright for Pets
It's the season of giving, and nothing feels quite as good as making the holidays special for pets in need. There are many ways to support pets this season - learn more below.
A Holiday Gift to the Animals
Your holiday gift to the animals supports our lifesaving programs and makes a difference for every pet who needs our help. Your donation provides medical care, behavior support, shelter from abuse and neglect, helps pets find loving homes, and ensures we will be here for animals in their time of need. Whether it's a one-time donation or a recurring monthly gift, your contribution makes our work possible.
And if you're still shopping for that animal lover in your life, consider making a donation in their honor! An honorary gift always fits and never goes out of style. You'll send some warm and fuzzy holiday cheer to your loved one, and make a lifesaving difference for the animals, too. And best of all, it's easy. Just click the link below and select the option to dedicate your donation.
Host a Fundraiser
Want to add a little impact to that holiday party? Need an easy and effective option for workplace giving? Want your birthday to benefit pets in need? You can do all that and more with a DIY fundraiser for the animals!
Our fundraising platform provides you with an individual giving page that you can share with your friends, coworkers, neighbors, and anyone else who wants to support you. It's easy to create a fundraiser and within minutes you'll be ready to make a difference for pets in our community. Click the link below to get started - and don't forget to personalize your page with your own photo and messages about why you're raising funds for the animals.
Adopt, Volunteer, or Foster
Looking for a way to give back in person? We have some thoughts...
Adopt. Giving a pet a new home some real holiday magic - if you're looking to welcome a new furry friend home for the holidays, you can meet them all here. And, of course, make sure you're prepare for holidays with a new pet! Not sure what you need to know about pets and the holidays? We're here to help with our November WAG.
Volunteer. Join our team and make an impact for pets in person! Whether it's dog walking, cat care, helping out in adoptions, lending a hand at ReTails, or any of the other incredible opportunities, your help as a volunteer brings some holiday joy to the pets every day.
Foster. When you welcome a foster pet into your home you're supporting them in ways that just aren't possible in the shelter environment. Our fosters truly do save lives! Foster volunteers receive training and support from our staff as well as foster volunteer mentors. Opportunities are flexible and you can select the type of foster placement that works best for you.
Gifts of Stock
Make the most of your end-of-year gifts by giving non-cash assets instead of just cash. This tax-smart giving not only supports the animals, there are financial benefits for you, too! Here are a couple of ways to give back:
- Transfer appreciated assets: Save on two types of taxes and get a full deduction for the value of your gift. Our stock tool tracks your donation so we can thank you for your gift!
- Give directly from an IRA: Donors 70 ½ or older can reduce their taxable income (and if you need to meet a Required Minimum Distribution, IRA gifts can count towards those as well!)
You can get started online thanks to our partners at FreeWill. Question about gifts of stock? Click the link below.
Send a Bed to the Dogs
What can be better than the gift of comfort? We use high-quality, durable Kuranda beds for the dogs. But no bed lasts forever (and some dogs can push the limits of 'durable' to extremes)! Kuranda beds are durable and easy to clean, so they’re perfect beds for shelter dogs! Purchase a bed from the link below for a discounted rate and free shipping. The bed will be sent directly to HSSW and bring some extra comfort and joy to the dogs.
Giving Trees
The tree in the HSSW lobby has more than just twinkling lights and sparkling ornaments. It also includes all things the animals need for the holidays! You'll find gift tags for the animals hanging from the tree with suggested donations - grab a tag off the tree and make a difference for pets in need.
Giving Tree Locations:
HSSW Adoption Center | 1100 NE 192nd Ave
ReTails Thrift Store | 5000 E 4th Plain Blvd
Mud Bay - Fisher's Landing | 2100A SE 164th Ave
Canine Respiratory Illness
You may have seen recent stories of respiratory illness similar to typical canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRDC), or kennel cough, affecting dogs in our area. Dogs who contract the illness may develop a cough, nasal/eye discharge, and sneezing. In some cases, the illness can progress to pneumonia, which can sometimes be life-threatening. While these reports may cause concern among dog owners, it's important to know that respiratory illnesses are very common and not all dogs will develop severe symptoms or even require antibiotics.
Dr. Margaret Wixson, Vice President of Veterinary Services at HSSW recommends dog owners use caution but not panic. She shares more information below about what this illness means for our community and the dogs in our care.
What is this illness?
The disease presents similar to kennel cough, but dogs are not consistently testing positive for a single agent. Some cases progress to severe illness, while most resolve on their own with only mild or moderate symptoms.
Is it safe to adopt a dog right now?
Absolutely! In fact, local shelters are not reporting unusual respiratory disease. We have infectious disease protocols in place to minimize the risk of transmission of respiratory illness, and our medical team is experienced at diagnosing and treating infectious disease.
What should I do if my dog develops symptoms?
Don't panic. There are many common respiratory diseases that can cause coughing, sneezing, eye and nose discharge. Contact your veterinarian and isolate your dog from other dogs. If your dog develops severe symptoms like labored breathing and lethargy, take them to an emergency vet.
How can I keep my dog safe?
Make sure your dog is up-to-date on their vaccines. If you send your dog to daycare or a boarding facility, speak with them about their protocol for disease management and prevention. Take special care with older dogs, those on immunosuppressive drugs, flat-faced breeds like bulldogs and pugs, and dogs with other underlying health conditions. Ask your dog's vet guidance specific to your dog's health and lifestyle to ensure you're not taking unnecessary risks.
A Holiday Reunion Years in the Making
In 2021, Luna and her best friend Princess escaped from their home. Princess eventually made her way home, but Luna didn't.
For two years, Carlos Pinula's family hoped they would be reunited with Luna. The children missed their dog and without her best friend, Princess had grown grumpy and withdrawn.
Then a few weeks ago, Carlos happened to see our weekly adoption segment on KOIN News AM Extra. An Oregon resident, Carlos never thought to look at shelters in Washington, but seeing the segment inspired him to check. And when he visited our website, he saw Luna! She was known as Liz while she stayed at HSSW. She arrived at HSSW as a transfer from one of our shelter partners in Oregon. Carlos rushed to HSSW, spoke with our adoption team, and within minutes he was reunited with his long-lost dog!
This holiday season, Luna is back home with her family where she belongs. She has a family and kids who love her, and her best friend Princess has returned to her joyous and playful self.
It's holiday magic at its finest. Our friends at KOIN News caught up with the family to learn more and share their story. Check it out here.
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