Meet Dalen! RASKC is extremely pleased to honor Dalen Elenzano. She attends PIMA Medical Institute.  Dalen graduated in biology from both Highline College and Pacific Lutheran University. She is one of the longest serving volunteers in RASKC’s Vet Clinic. Dalen actually began on the Early Morning Cat Crew in 2013, then started in the Vet Clinic the following year. Dalen has contributed more than 670 hours so far. 

Thank you, Dalen!

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

If you are interested in becoming a RASKC volunteer, go here to fill out an application and register to attend new volunteer orientation.

Meet Trisha!  RASKC is very pleased to spotlight Trisha Glover as an exceptional youth volunteer. Since she began as a “red” Dog Walker in April, Trisha has already contributed an astonishing 60 hours!

Not only does Trisha contribute more than six hours each week, she does so with the best spirit. Animal Control Officer Diana Fowler sent a kudos email last month, “Just wanting to give a shout-out to red dog walker Trisha. She was the only dog walker this morning and walked ALL the dogs with a smile on her face the entire time. She had a cheerful attitude, even though her shift was pretty overwhelming.”

Trisha says, “I love the excitement of coming to the shelter for a shift and not knowing which dogs I get to interact with that day. Every interaction that I have had with a dog has been a great one, and I love working on skills with dogs to help them become better listeners and learners. All of the staff and volunteers have been so incredibly nice, as well as helpful. The staff and volunteers truly make this such a wonderful experience. Being able to volunteer at RASKC has been an invaluable experience, and I could not imagine doing anything else.”

A proud native of Covington, 23 year-old Trisha has three dogs at home- an American Pit Bull Terrier, a Chihuahua/ Dachshund mix, and a Pomeranian. In addition to getting a lot of exercise with her own dogs and with RASKC dogs, she works as a manager at the Kent Meridian Pool, where she teaches children how to swim.

Trisha also volunteers at Northwest Harvest. Previously she volunteered at Multicare/ Covington Urgent Care and at Grass Lake Elementary School.

Trisha graduated from Kentridge High School, Green River College, and Pacific Lutheran College. She will be seeking her Masters of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Texas- Tyler in order to help children with special needs and to conduct research on neurobehavioral disorders.

Thank you, Trisha!

This summer RASKC launches the second year of our innovative Rover Scholarship program. This program helps some of our longer term canine residents find a new home.

RASKC waives the adoption fee* and provides a $400 reimbursement scholarship for adopters who sign up for a professional training class or hire a professional trainer for the designated dog.

Last year five RASKC dogs graduated into new homes as Rover Scholars.

Stay tuned next week to see who are this summer’s Rover Scholars!

* Note: Participants in this program who live in RASKC’s service area will be required to purchase an annual $30 pet license.

June is often the month when Triple Crowns are awarded.

So it might be an apt time to laud RASKC volunteers who: a) actively participate in three or more RASKC roles, or b) who average three or more weekly scheduled shifts, and/or c) have contributed 300 or more foster hours so far this year.

RASKC bestows triple-crown recognition to 57 volunteers for their service this year. They comprise 10% of RASKC’s 571 active volunteers year to date. (Read the listing of these volunteers on our blog).

Please give a standing ovation to these champions!

If you are interested in becoming a RASKC volunteer, begin by registering for new volunteer orientation. Go here for information on sessions in Kent. Go here for the session in Kirkland on Saturday afternoon, June 29.

Join King County at the Seattle Pride Parade from 10am- 2pm on Sunday, June 30!

RASKC volunteers, their friends, families, and their personally-owned dogs are welcome to join the King County contingent marching in the 45th annual parade celebrating the LGBTQ community on the 50^th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.  

If you like, you can wear your RASKC volunteer t-shirt to show your pride.

As in previous years, we'll line up on Fourth Avenue near Seneca Street in downtown Seattle around 10am. Look for the big King County Metro bus. Check the forecast and be prepared for the weather on parade day - water, snacks, sunscreen, and hats are all handy items to bring. If you bring your own dog, have water and "poop bags" for them.

Questions? Contact Cameron Satterfield. We hope to see you there!

Hurray for the work of Early Morning Cat Crew volunteer Pam Morgan. Her neighbor Gene B. recently sent a donation to RASKC, along with this letter:

“Please accept this donation in honor of your volunteer and supporter Pam Morgan. Pam is our neighbor. During my recent rehabilitation from knee replacement surgery, Pam assisted my wife and me in countless ways. During the first couple of weeks she used her nursing skills to review my incision and change my dressing. And during the several weeks before I was able to drive, she made several trips to the grocery store. Just knowing that she was available did much to reduce my anxiety. This donation in Pam’s name is just a small way of our trying to repay for her kindness and consideration.”

Pam’s kindness and consideration are felt throughout the Cat Adoptions Building during her twice weekly shifts.

RASKC offers a choice of four funds to help our animals- Pet Benefit Bequest Fund, Angel Fund, Animal Retention Fund, or Spay & Neuter Fund. For details or to donate online, go here.

Animal Care Technician (ACT) Emily Ruppert started as a RASKC volunteer in 2012, then became employed in her current position about three years later. She’s very skilled with both animals and people.

Tell us about yourself. I’ve been working as an ACT at RASKC since 2015. I started as a volunteer walking dogs and teaching the orientation classes.  My husband Caleb and I schedule our lives around our three dogs—Jayda, Tougar, and Max. I enjoy going hiking and camping on my weekends.

Why did you decide to work to help animals? I started volunteering when my dog passed away unexpectedly. Then I just got hooked!  I grew up on a farm in Minnesota, and I’ve always enjoyed the presence of animals. I have always had dogs or cats in my house, so it just seemed to fit.

What did you do prior to coming to RASKC? I moved to Washington in 2011 after college and worked at an education center for toddlers. I went to school for a degree in education. I decided that wasn’t for me, so I started working at a couple of different dog daycares. During all of this time, I was volunteering at RASKC and trying to weasel into a job!

What does your work for RASKC involve? I’m an Animal Care Technician, so my daily job is to clean kennels, socialize with animals, provide customer service for community members, etc.. I also serve as the Rescue Coordinator. This means I work with rescue organizations all over the country for animals that cannot be available for a regular adoption process.

What is the best part about your job? Working with animals that need behavioral modification. I love to see an animal that goes from being scared and huddled in the back of the kennel to a flourishing pet. The trusting relationship that is built is such an inspiration to see on a daily basis!

What was it like to transition from a volunteer to a RASKC employee? It was actually easy to transition, because I knew a lot of the people and I was so impressed by some of the processes I hadn’t seen before. My favorite part was getting to know people on a different level and realizing that some of the people that I perceived as “unfriendly” have the biggest hearts. I think what’s funny about it all is that we try our best to be friendly with people, but we’re all here because we like animals better. 😊

I thought it was hard being a volunteer to see the animals come and go. As a staff member, however, it’s such a different experience. There are just so many sides to animal welfare that have their complications, but at the end of the day, we all have the same goals. I realized that both volunteers and staff are so valuable in the function of a facility like this, and it’s so important to have communication and constant education for both.

What do you do when you’re not at work? Hang out with my dogs outside as much as possible or sit on my couch with my dogs and binge watch tv shows!

Please share a notable experience with a dog.  When I was a volunteer, I was asked to work with a dog named Potato. It was a young pit bull that was catatonic. Staff had to pick him up to move him anywhere he went, because he physically would not move. I sat down with him in his kennel and tossed treats in his direction. After about 10 minutes, Potato started to eat them. Slowly but surely in about a half an hour, I got him to move closer to me using no force, just food. That’s the moment I knew I belonged in this industry.

Fun fact? My husband works in live performance. He has met a handful of famous people- Sir Mix-a-lot, Moby, Patton Oswald, David Sedaris, and the real Patch Adams.

RASKC is excited to announce that the most recent Pet of the Week has been adopted.

Boots is a 3 year-old, brown & white, female Bull Terrier (A580832). Her personality color is RED, meaning she is a spirited dog with a fun-loving personality! She is full of energy and loves to play. Boots is a very smart girl who does best when she gets lots of exercise and something to keep her mind busy. She is still working on her manners and will do best with a family who is willing work with her and help her become the best dog she can be.  Boots came to the shelter with severe injuries to all four of her legs and paws.

You can find out more about dogs on RASKC's website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Click on "dog.”

You can also meet other animals available for adoption, seven days a week, except major holidays, at RASKC's King County Pet Adoption Center in Kent, located at 21615 64th Ave S; Monday - Friday: 12 noon - 6 p.m., Saturday - Sunday: 12 noon - 5 p.m. Phone: 206-296-7387 (PETS), email pets@kingcounty.gov.

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.

Congratulations to RASKC volunteer Susan Swain, who was inducted last month into the Northwest Athletic Association Hall of Fame for being part of a state championship women’s basketball team from Highline College many years ago. Susan volunteers on our Cat Meet & Greet team and on our Reber Ranch Cat-Care Team. She is famous at RASKC for bringing lots of home-baked cookies to the shelter almost every week!

RASKC is hiring Pet License Canvassers, $21.88- $27.74 hourly, short-term through October, about 14 hours per week. To check out this position and the county’s other job openings, go to King County’s website.

Yay for the Cat Meet & Greet Team Meeting: Thanks to the volunteers who attended RASKC’s gathering of Meet & Greet volunteers on June 15, led by Meet & Greet Coordinator Sarah Stolberg.

Seeking volunteers for RASKC’s booth at community events. If you might be interested in representing RASKC at our booth at any of the following events, contact Sarah L: 

• July 4 (Thursday): Independence Day celebration- Carnation
• July 13 (Saturday): Lake Forest Park's Pet Parade
• July 17 (Wednesday evening): Shoreline Summer Eve
• July 20 (Saturday): North Bend Block Party
• July 27 (Saturday afternoon): Enumclaw Rotary Street Fair
• August 10 (Saturday morning): Covington KidFest
• August 31- September 2 (Saturday- Monday): Black Diamond Labor Days

Training for community events takes place on Friday late afternoon, June 21. Trainings will be offered on other days too. Best if you can attend new volunteer orientation prior to the event. Go here for information for sessions in Kent. Go here for the Kirkland session on Saturday, June 29.

Seeking more volunteers for The Seattle International Beer Fest. The festival will donate $50 for every registered RASKC volunteer (21 years and over) who helps out for a three-hour shift on the evening of Saturday, July 13, and during the early afternoon on Sunday, July 14, at the Seattle Center. Last year RASKC provided the most volunteers than any other organization in the history of the festival. Over $4,000 was raised for the Angel Fund! For more information, contact volunteer Melissa Blake.

Kitten gear: Because kittens’ immune systems are fragile, it’s important that they are not exposed to unnecessary germs. If you are volunteering at RASKC and would like to cuddle a kitten, it’s very important that you wear fresh gloves (and a fresh gown if you bring the kitten to your chest).

Top off dog kongs only with wet food. When you prepare dog kongs at RASKC, please insert kibble, then top off with wet food, then place the kongs in the freezer. Avoid using peanut butter, since it can be very difficult to wash the kongs later.

Dog Walkers: If the dog is unhappy about going back in the kennel, please do not grab its collar. Instead please toss treats at the end of the kennel. Another option is to place a light hold under the dog’s chin while you are backing out of the kennel.