Meet Jini! RASKC is extremely pleased to honor Jini Allen. She might be the only RASKC volunteer who has the “claim to fame” of being a former professional bowler.

Jini is a remarkable person with amazing organizational and communication skills and a heart of gold. In the process of contributing hundreds of hours a year as Scheduler of RASKC’s Covington Cat-Care Team, Jini combines consummate diplomacy and upbeat persistence. These qualities also served Jini and RASKC well when she spearheaded RASKC’s gift-wrapping fundraiser for the Angel Fund in 2016 and 2017. She also provided invaluable support for the project last year. Thank you, Jini!

An interview with Jini can be found on our website and blog.

Meet Amber!  RASKC’s spotlight shines on Amber Dua, a senior at Eastlake High School. She and her mom Lei began volunteering for RASKC in 2014, shortly after we launched our program at Kirkland.

Amber was recently given "Hononorable Mention” for the 2019 Washington State Governor’s Service Award- Teen Category.

RASKC Kirkland Team Co-Lead Jennifer Hunt wrote, “Amber is truly a most inspirational young lady. She is kind, thoughtful, reliable, and enthusiastic in her commitment to volunteering. Amber's ability to work with both children and adults with equal proficiency and care is a tremendous asset to our community.” Amber also brings bilingual skills to volunteering, which is a big plus.

Amber said, “I love the friendly atmosphere of the shelter in Kirkland! It's very welcoming and draws people in to look at the animals, even if they aren't adopting. The volunteer work is really fun too! Of course there's always cleaning to do, but I'm always happy to help out and then socialize with the animals.”

Amber’s mom Lei added, “Kirkland RASKC is such a perfect place for me to be involved not only with animals, especially cats, but also the working atmosphere. It's like a family!”

Lei has volunteered at several places, including for the PTSAs at Smith Elementary and at the Northwest Chinese School.

When asked about her daughter, Lei said, “Amber is smart, generous and artsy, but what I'm most proud of is her determination and persistence about anything she has decided to do.”

Amber describes her mom as “a really smart and resourceful person. I'm proud of her for being so strong. And I’m thankful for the countless opportunities she's provided me.”

Thank you, Amber and Lei!

Last month longtime RASKC Dog Walker Derek Yoshinaka was selected by a statewide commission as the sole recipient of the Washington State Governor’s Service Award- Animal Welfare category.

He and winners in the other categories will be honored in a ceremony at the Governor’s Manson in Olympia next month and at a Mariner’s pre-game ceremony in Seattle on April 12.

Every week, twice a week, for the past 15 years, Derek has been walking RASKC dogs from 2:30 p.m.-  6 p.m. in all kinds of weather- freezing temperatures, super sunny days, and rainy wet ones too. Some days he cares for more than 20 dogs!

Not only has Derek been contributing extraordinarily reliable service since 2004, he is also RASKC’s most skilled Dog Walker. He calms the most challenging dogs and provides warmth and coziness for the most timid dogs.

Derek has led countless mentoring sessions with new Dog Walkers, and he has led many Dog Team 101 classes.

When the county’s animal shelter was threatened in 2009, Derek helped to convene a group of volunteers who played a key role in saving the agency from being disbanded.

Several years ago Derek and others worked extensively with the City of Kent to create the Grandview Off-Leash Dog Park.

After 15 years of RASKC service, Derek will be “hanging up his leash” from twice weekly shifts later this month.

Bestowing the Governor’s Service Award upon this gentleman is a most fitting deserving tribute.

If you would like to make a special donation to RASKC, we are seeking the following items:

• Slow feeder bowls to provide some mental stimulation to some of our animals.
• Self warming heating pet beds to donate to organizations who are helping residents with pets who are out of power or homeless.

To see other items on RASKC’s “Wish List,” go here.

If you would like to donate pet food or supplies, please bring the items to RASKC’s pet treasure chests. These bins are located in the outside nook to the left (west) of the front doors to RASKC’s main entrance. One bin is for dog items, the other bin is for cat items. You are also welcome to take home any items that you like from the treasure chests!

RASKC’s door-to-door pet licensing outreach program that educates residents about the benefits and requirements of pet licensing is underway. Pet licensing representatives are currently visiting neighborhoods in the following areas: Bellevue, Covington, Enumclaw, Maple Valley, Mercer Island and Unincorporated King County south of I-90. The goal is to increase awareness of the importance of licensing one’s pet. The fee from a license ($30 for a spa/neutered adult pet) helps ensure pets are returned home more quickly as well as supports RASKC’s mission in providing King County with sustainable, cost effective services that protect people and animals, while providing humane animal care. For more information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/licensemypet

Animal Care Technician Carlos Gutierrez is one of the volunteer Dog Walkers’ favorite staff to work with. He has been working for RASKC since 2013.

Tell us about yourself. I have been working at RASKC for five years. I am married with two children. My wife is a Certified Nurse Midwife. My daughter is 18, and my son is 16. I attended college in Mexico in general studies. I have one dog (Mickey), one cat (Gus), a bearded dragon (Sahara), and a hedgehog (Juancho).

Why did you decide to work to help animals? I haven't always had pets, but I have always liked animals. I think that you can learn something every day from animals. They are fun, sometimes funny, and always want to be your real friend. I also want to see less animals being neglected and abused. 

What did you do prior to coming to RASKC? I worked as an Animal Care Technician in a county animal shelter in Rockford, Illinois for four years. Prior to that I worked in a large printing facility that printed primarily textbooks. 

What is the best part about your job? The best part about my job is when animals get adopted and find their forever home and when I see the happiness in the new owners’ faces. I also love to see how the animals are happy when they leave the shelter. 

What do you do when you’re not at work? When I am not at work, I enjoy watching professional baseball or basketball. I enjoy spending time with my family and taking family vacations. I also like to do home improvement projects. I also spend my time working on my daughter's old car.

Please share a notable experience with any animals. When I worked at the animal shelter in Illinois, a tiny black poodle was deemed not adoptable due to multiple holes in his heart. Surgery was an option, but it would have been very expensive. I took that tiny poodle into my home, and my family fostered him for six months. He did not act or look sick, so the shelter decided that he could be adopted with his known medical problems. Since my family had fallen in love with him, we decided to make him a permanent part of our family. Mickey is now eight years old and doing amazing. 

What else would you like to add? I really enjoy working at RASKC. I think that we have a very good team and work together to provide excellent care to the animals. 

Georgia is a seven year-old female dog, Pit Bull (ID #A579777).  This affectionate lovebug would be thrilled to cuddle up with you at home. She has a RED personality and is a spirited dog who is fun-loving. Georgia was brought to the shelter, because she wasn't getting along with the other dog in her home. So she may do best as the only dog in her new home, or she would need to meet the other dogs first. Georgia is still working on her manners and would do best with a family who is willing to work with her and help her become the best dog she can be!

Georgia is spayed, current on vaccinations, and microchipped. Her $100 adoption fee also includes a free visit to the veterinarian of your choice, and 30 days of opt-in pet insurance through Trupanion.

You can find out more about Georgia at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Click on "dog" and type in her name. 

RASKC features Pets of the Week on our website. Several suburban newspapers also highlight RASKC’s Pet of the Week, thanks usually to the work of volunteer Dawn Gerken. RASKC’s previous Pets of the Week can be viewed on our blog.

Have fun at RASKC fundraiser at Catsino on April 7. The Furry Faces Foundation will be raising money for RASKC and other animal-welfare organizations during at their Catsino event on Sunday, April 7, from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Beveridge Place Pub in West Seattle. Card games, a silent auction, and other hijinks will ensue. Thanks to RASKC volunteers Melissa Blake, Elizabeth Blake, and Heather Dufresne for staffing this event!

Want to attend Volunteers Night at a Mariners’ game? When the Mariners play the Houston Astros on Friday, April 12, they will be honoring volunteers in the region— including the winners of the 2019 Washington Governor’s Service Award in a pre-game ceremony. Special ticket pricing for the game: $14 for view level, $33 for main level. If 20 or more people from RASKC attend, our name will be included on the scoreboard following the fourth inning. If you would like to go to this game, please contact Sarah L.

Hats off to Katherine Evans-Race and Don Race, who were given "Honorable Mention” in the family category for the 2019 Washington State Governor’s Service Award. Katherine serves with distinction as a RASKC office volunteer. Don provides exemplary service as a Shelter Helper.

Cat Blanket-Making Party in Bellevue- A Success! Thanks to the Lara and Shawn Steele family for hosting this event last month. Several volunteers combined efforts to make 394 blankets!