Sponsor Spotlight – Doggy Haven Resort!

This month’s Homeward Headlines Sponsor is Doggy Haven Resort, our longtime supporter and partner! As you make your summer plans don’t forget to schedule vacation time for your dogs. Doggy Haven Resort offers a variety of services like doggy daycare, boarding and so much more.

We recently caught up with Doggy Haven Resort Owner, David Boyd and he shared a bit more about the services they offer. Here is what he had to say:

Doggy Haven Resort, a local full-service dog resort for boarding, grooming, training and daycare has been a Homeward Pet partner since 2010.

Doggy Haven is for socialized dogs who desire to be with their canine friends. Our skilled staff, many of whom have been with us for the last decade, are well trained in dog behavior. In addition, we have ongoing staff training programs through “The Dog Gurus” with Robin Bennett, renowned dog behavior expert. We social test each dog for appropriate activity. Our facility offers four separate play yards so that dogs can be graded for activity level and size. Each dog has its own room for rest, meals and sleep time. Remodeled to enhance our capacity and cleanliness in 2014, we offer heated floors, air-conditioning and a rapid air exchange system to ensure your dogs’ health. Classical music is played at night for the calmest nighttime environment.

Our training facility is in a separate 2500 square foot field house, sometimes called the “doggy dome”. Our trainers are CPDT credentialed and one, Mikkel Becker is the co-author of 6 books, national speaker and advisor on animal behavior to veterinarians. The field house provides space for dogs to be far enough apart while in small class sizes of up to 8. The field surrounding the training area is used for outdoor training and play time in the warmer months.

Our three groomers each have a minimum of 10 years’ experience and all are tuned into dog handling to ensure the lowest stress grooming experience possible. The bathing and grooming we do is all backed by a money-back guarantee.

Dogs come to see us on a daily basis for daycare, so that they can play and not get into trouble while their “parents” are away at work. We love dogs at Doggy Haven and invite you for a tour, during our regular tour hours of Tuesday and Saturday from 1-3 or other times by appointment.

Doggy Haven, because your dog deserves the best!

You can learn more about Doggy Haven Resort here.

Fostering: Beyond the Call of Duty

It wasn’t long before Kim became suspicious over scabby bumps appearing on her foster dog, Piper’s head. A trip to Homeward Pet’s Dunmire Veterinary Clinic, confirmed what Kim had thought to be true. Piper had “Dermatophytosis,” the fungal infection most commonly known as ringworm.

Ringworm is very contagious and in the animal-sheltering world, is a double-edged sword. No shelter ever wants to quarantine a four-legged friend, but no shelter wants an outbreak of a contagious infection either.

That’s why fosters like Kim are our heroes.

Piper’s diagnosis meant she would be placed in Homeward Pet’s isolation room, or she could remain in Kim’s care. Kim had yet to foster a dog with ringworm, but she was up for the task. She would help Piper heal however long it would take.

Fostering an animal with ringworm was initially challenging. But, after the first few weeks Kim says “things just became routine.” Kim kept Piper in a playpen—isolated from her two cats— gave her medicated baths every week and washed everything Piper came in contact with several times a week.

Kim will be the first to tell you it was a lot of work, but completely worth it.

After two months of treatment and care, Piper who Kim describes as “the best little dog I’ve ever met” was ringworm free and has since found a loving family. Thanks to Kim, Piper had months of play, training and socialization to help her start life out on the right “paw!”

Fostering is one of the best services you can provide for a rescue organization, and for homeless animals. For Homeward Pet, it is essential to the success of our Adoption Program. Fostering increases the number of animals we are able to take in, reduces the percentage of cats and dogs who are returned to the shelter and allows us to care for animals who need high-quality medical aid, attention and care.

Kim has fostered 35 four-legged friends now and says “it’s addicting.” Her favorite part is falling in love over and over again and knowing every time she fosters, she is helping an animal find a home.

Homeward Pet is seeking fosters like Kim. If you think you may be interested in fostering than click here to learn more today.

You Gave it Your All! #GiveBIG 2017

You really know how to make our animals feel special! Your generosity was on full display as you helped Homeward Pet raise more than $28,000 during the Seattle Foundation’s #GiveBIG giving day challenge. 

These funds will provide dogs and cats with high-quality medical aid, help animals overcome behavioral issues, find seniors loving homes, give special-needs animals the care they need to thrive and create bright futures for our newborns.

Thank you for #GivingBIG. Together, we will continue to make sure every cat, dog, puppy and kitten is given the second chance they deserve.

Here are just a few lives you’ve already changed in 2017:

Callie, Binky and Francine – Callie required an emergency c-section to save all three of their lives.

Mr. Kitty – is a 14-year-old “underdog” senior cat who has been given his second chance at life and love.

Levi – was a backyard dog. He came to the shelter under-socialized and scared. The Dog Behavior Team worked with him on a daily basis teaching him he could trust and could love.

Ginger – arrived at the shelter under-socialized and fractious. The Cat Behavior Team taught Ginger that petting and touching is okay, and actually quite nice!

Cooper – needed extraordinary medical care.  He tore both ACL’s and had surgeries for both. He was placed in foster care for several months during his recovery.

Thanks to supporters like you, all of these animals have since found loving homes.

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9 Lives for $9!

You heard right! 9 Lives for $9 at Homeward Pet

This August, Homeward Pet is offering $9 cat adoptions, August 1-31st! Come find the finest, friendly, furry feline for your family…for just $9 on all cats 2 years and up! Matches Made. 9 Lives Saved! August 1-31st.  Sponsored by Bella’s Voice Thrift Store.

Bella’s Voice Thrift Store is a 501 c(3) nonprofit that works to raise money for local animal rescue organizations. It was founded in 2014 by Jordan and her mother, Evette and is named after their rescue cat, Bella. Homeward Pet is one of the thrift store’s beneficiaries and routinely receives proceeds to benefit the homeless animals at the shelter.

See all of our currently available cats.

9 Reasons to Adopt an Adult Cat!

1. Naming another living being something ridiculously puny like “Puma Thurman”
2. To provide endless forms of entertainment
3. An alarm clock that won’t fail during a power outage
4. An excuse to strike up conversations with good looking strangers in the pet food aisle
5. Their stress-reducing purr-powers!
6. Help assess the worthiness of your new boyfriend/girlfriend
7. To live vicariously through their social media fame
8. They can teach you so much about being independent
9. Because every cat deserves a loving home

Ginger Adopted!

It’s a happy day at Homeward Pet as Ginger – our longest resident – finds her home!  Shan Jiang came in to let us know that Ginger was doing great in her home…and she was ready to adopt and make it official.

We sent her home with this awesome portrait of Ginger, painted by Kirkland artist Jodie Sarah Masiwchuk, of Smile Art Paintings and Pet Portraits, who custom-painted this portrait as a gift for Ginger’s adopters!  You can see more of Jodie’s wonderful work in the hallway “gallery” at Homeward Pet Adoption Center.

Experienced Foster Families Needed

Sometimes, the biggest challenge in caring for dogs at the shelter is helping them overcome a history of neglect and lack of socialization.  Ruby, a 3-year old Lab mix, was extremely anxious when she arrived at Homeward Pet.  With our medical and behavior staff working together, and consulting with Dr. Wailani Sung of All Creatures Behavior Counseling, we put Ruby on medication and training to help her adjust.  But it’s her foster family, Mark and Charlene, that is really making the difference for Ruby – giving her more attention than she’s ever had, closely monitoring her meds and behavior, and, most importantly, showing this under-socialized dog what it means to be part of a family.

We’re always on the lookout for great foster families, especially experienced fosters that can accommodate a dog that may need help with training or behavior or medical issues…or just a lot of extra TLC.  Some dogs may need to be the only animal in the home, and may prefer an adult-only home, but anybody willing to open their heart and home to provide temporary care to an animal in need is welcome.  Read more about how to become a Homeward Pet Foster Family.  Thanks.

You’ve got to be “Kitten” me!

Thanks to supporters like you, Homeward Pet’s 2nd annual Fur Baby Shower was a huge success, helping the shelter prepare to care for more than 500 kittens this year.

Last Saturday, families and community members poured through the doors of MoltenWorks Glass Studio with armfuls of essential donations that ranged from kitty litter and food to toys and monetary gifts.

More than $4,500 in supplies and funds were raised to shower homeless kittens with quality care and an abundance of love. Attendees had some kitten cuddle time of course, and in return Homeward Pet’s youngest residents will have full bellies and happy hearts until they find loving homes.

Thank you to all who participated in this essential food and supply drive and a huge thank you to our amazing community partner, MoltenWorks Glass Studio for hosting the shower.

Missed all the action?

You can still help kittens in need by checking out our Fur Baby Shower Amazon Wish List. You can also, make a meaningful gift today to help all homeless animals in our care.

Why are kitten donations so essential?

Every year, Homeward Pet shelters hundreds of kittens. While kittens are irresistibly cute, they have a huge impact on shelter resources. Many infant felines are with the shelter for weeks or even months until they are old enough for adoption, and are provided vaccinations, medical aid, food, shelter and foster care. It takes Homeward Pet’s entire community to care for every litter that arrives at our doors. The spring and summer months are especially taxing for our shelter, as this is the time of year when most litters are born.

#GiveBIG Today to Create a Bright Future for Animals!

 

Gary Rubin, Executive Director

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You gave them the chance to thrive. Give Love. Give Life. #GiveBIG2017

Give Love. Give Life. #GiveBIG on May 10th!

Right now, animal-lovers like you are gearing up for Seattle’s biggest day of giving. When you #GiveBIG on May 10, you are creating a promising future for a newborn kitten, offering a second chance for a senior or providing a special needs animal with a life-saving surgery.

Create a brighter world for animals and #GiveBIG. 

You can also #GiveBIG by spreading the word, sharing this link on social media and encouraging family and friends to join us on this inspirational day.

Click here to learn more about #GiveBIG2017.

Halo with Every Adoption!

Halo Pet Foods and Sam’s Cats and Dogs, Naturally, recently teamed up to donate 5000 meals to the dogs and cats at Homeward Pet!  This month, they’re making sure your new pet gets to try Halo.  All month, we’ll be giving away a free gift bag from Halo Pet Foods with every cat and dog adoption, Each gift bag includes a can of cat or dog food, a dental chew (dogs only), a coupon for a free bag of Halo dry dog or cat food, and more.  Coupons are redeemable at Sam’s Cats and Dogs, Naturally, in Monroe and Everett.

A Shelter Essential Arrives!

Even the most essential item makes a huge difference in caring for our animals.  At our recent Fur Ball Auction, we asked our attendees to support our efforts to get a new hot water tank – for bathing and grooming dogs, doing laundry and dishes, performing dental surgeries and more – and they came through in a big way.  Our new, bigger, shinier tank was installed on Tuesday by Hudy Plumbing & Heating, and we couldn’t be more thankful to our tremendous supporters for giving us a way to have enough hot water to make it through the day!

Happy Tail – Baker and Rainie!

“We adopted Baker and Rainie (previously known as Kopa and Kiara) from Homeward Pet on August 30th, 2014.  We moved to Washington State that summer and we promised our little humans we would get two new kittens before school started that year. They have brought us so much joy and happiness. Rainie is a snuggle bug and loves to be near my daughters at all times. She is such a talker and we often call her R2D2 in the noises she makes. Baker is our little ‘dog’ who meets us at the door and meows to be picked up. He loves to be held and carried around the house. We are so lucky to have them.” – Jamie