Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) continues to be overwhelmed with the number of animals at the Pet Adoption Center in Kent, and pet adopters and foster homes are urgently needed to address overcrowding at the shelter.
“All of our dog kennels are full, and in fact we’re ‘double bunking’ some of the smaller dogs to make room,” said Tim Anderson, interim manager at RASKC. “Our cat condos are also overflowing, with peak kitten season still to come.”
All this month, adopters can take home a cat or dog for just $30 – the cost of a King County pet license. All pets adopted from RASKC are spayed or neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and microchipped. They also come with 30 days of opt-in pet health insurance from Trupanion. Profiles of all the adoptable pets are online at kingcounty.gov/AdoptAPet. Prospective adopters can also stop by the Pet Adoption Center weekdays from noon to 5 p.m. and weekends noon to 4 p.m. The shelter is located at 21615 64th Ave. S. in Kent.
For those people who can take in an animal on a temporary basis until they find a permanent home, the RASKC Volunteer Program is eager to meet you. Learn how to become a foster at kingcounty.gov/RASKCVolunteer.
Other Ways to Help
RASKC encourages residents to take the right actions when encountering stray pets to ensure their safety and the well-being of other animals in the community.
- 70% of lost dogs are found less than a mile from their home – often within just a few blocks.
- Cats seen outdoors may be indoor/outdoor pets or community cats living nearby. Research shows that cats are 13 times more likely to reunite with their owners if left in place rather than taken to a shelter.
You can help reduce the number of stray animals overwhelming shelters by following these steps:
- Check for a collar or tag.
- Walk or drive the pet around the area where they were found to see if someone is searching for them.
- Ask neighbors or a mail carrier if they recognize the animal.
- Use social media. Snap a photo and post it on Facebook’s local community and lost pet pages, Nextdoor, and other platforms.
- Check for a microchip at a vet’s office or animal shelter.
- File a report at kingcounty.gov/FoundAPet
If You Lose a Pet
- Walk around the area where your pet was lost. They may still be nearby.
- Check our website’s Found Pets page to see if they’ve been brought in.
- Share a photo and details on Facebook, Nextdoor, and other social media sites.
- File a lost pet report at kingcounty.gov/LostAPet, and include contact info to respond quickly to sightings.
- Use other “lost pet” websites such as Petco’s Love Lost.
- Put up flyers in the area where your pet was lost.
- If your pet is microchipped, contact the microchip company to report them missing.
- Leave out familiar scents, such as a pet bed, blanket, or an article of your clothing, to help guide them home.
When You Find a Critically Sick or Injured Stray
Bring the sick or injured animal to the Pet Adoption Center or call 206-296-7387(PETS) if you cannot transport the animal.
When You Find a Cat
Removing a cat from its environment when there are no signs of illness or injury puts the cat and others at risk. It reduces the chances of reuniting them with their owner and redirects resources away from cats that truly need help.
When You Find a Litter of Kittens
- Do not take them immediately. Their mother may just be out hunting for food.
- Leave the area. Their best chance of survival is with their mother.
If You Locate Your Pet at a Shelter
Visit the shelter as soon as possible to verify and claim your pet and make room for other pets in need.
Make sure your pet has ID
Remember that microchips and license tags work! Pets with microchips are three times more likely to make it back home. Make sure your pets are licensed and chipped, and that their information is up to date. Pets with licenses can be returned without a trip to the shelter!
Help Us Help More Animals
Our primary focus at RASKC is helping animals in urgent situations, including:
- Injured at-large animals in need of immediate medical attention
- People facing an urgent need to surrender their pet
- Animals suffering from cruelty or neglect
- Aggressive or dangerous animals posing a risk to public safety
If you encounter any of these situations, please contact us at 206-296-7387 or visit kingcounty.gov/pets.
