Meet Shawn! RASKC is super happy to honor Shawn Lee, who serves on four RASKC volunteer teams. Shawn started as a foster in 2014. Since then he has stepped up to work weekly shifts on RASKC cat-care teams at Reber Ranch and Tukwila Petco. Shawn also volunteers on a weekly shift on the Early Morning Cat Crew at the shelter in Kent. So far he has contributed over 1,400 hours (Thank you, Shawn!).

To read an interview with Shawn, go to our website or blog.   

If you are interested in becoming a RASKC volunteer, go here to register for new volunteer orientation on Saturday, December 7, in Kent; for Saturday, January 11, or for Tuesday, January 14, in Kent, go here; for Saturday, January 18  in Kirkland, go here.

RASKC is celebrating daylight savings time in a fun way! For the rest of this month, our “Time to Fall Back in Love” promotion offers *50% off adoptions. Take a peek at our sweet adoptable favorites online or visit us in person today! This offer applies at our Kent and Eastside (inside Petco Kirkland) Pet Adoption Center, as well as Reber Ranch. *Please note that the purchase of a pet license may be required for adopters in some cities.

RASKC, along with almost 80 exhibitors, took part in Seattle Meowtropolitan’s first ever Seattle cat convention. The two-day festival “of all things cat” brought in over 4,000 attendees from in and around Seattle. In addition to having a booth presence on both days, RASKC also moderated and took part in a panel session with various local animal welfare leaders who answered the public’s questions as well as provided more information on how the community can support animals. The session, titled “How local shelters and rescues are saving more cats” featured Seattle Humane, Seattle Animal Shelter, Emerald City Pet Rescue, Seattle Area Feline and RASKC.

If you have a pet who does not go out of town with you, it’s important to sign up for RASKC's free Vacation Pet Alert. Now it’s easier than ever to do so. Residents in our jurisdiction may either call pet licensing (206-296-2712) or go online here to notify RASKC how to contact your pet sitter if needed.

If your pet gets loose and arrives at RASKC, we will convey your animal to your pet sitter if you have registered with the vacation alert. Otherwise, your pet would need to stay at RASKC, incurring fees, until you arrive back. If your vacation lasts for more than two weeks, RASKC will safely care for your pet, incurring fees, if your pet sitter is not available to claim your animal. If you do not sign up for a pet alert, however, your licensed animal begins the process toward adoption to a new family after a two-week stay at RASKC.

Here are five top reasons why licensing your cat or dog helps everyone involved:

1. Found pets are reunited quickly with their owner.The Pet License office number is on the license. If someone finds your pet, they will call the number, get your contact information, even after hours, and reunite you and your pet.
2. Your pet gets a free ride home the first time it is found. RASKC staff will attempt to deliver your pet home to you immediately at no cost, skipping a trip to the animal shelter.
3. Your pet gets a longer care period.When found, your licensed pet will be safely cared for at the Pet Adoption Center for a longer time.
4. You and your pet get the Vacation Pet Alert to reunite your pet with its pet setter right away when you’re out of town.
5. License fees support the return of hundreds of lost pets to their homes and help adopt thousands of homeless pets to new families every year. Pet license fees also fund investigation of animal neglect and cruelty, spay/neuter programs to reduce pet over-population, and community education services.

If you would like to make a special donation to RASKC, please click here for our wish list on Amazon.

We are also seeking:

• Toy cat wands
• Cat blankets- sewn. If you sew the blankets, the desired dimensions are 22” x 18” or 10” x 18.”
• Cat blankets- unsewn with tied fringe. Cut the material either as 25” x 21” or as 13” x 21.” Watch this training video. Or read these written instructions. It’s very important that the fringe is tightly tied together. Loose fringe can be hazardous to cats. 

Our foster program would love to receive:

• Meat-based Gerber baby food
• Kitten playpens at least four feet across with zippers (not Velcro) ike this
• Snuggle Kitties with a battery-generated heartbeat like this
• Miracle nipples- both sizes, like this
• Pet food for our pet treasure chest.

For more information on donations or in-kind gifts, visit the Donations page on our website. Donations may be dropped off any afternoon, except major holidays. RASKC is open weekdays 12pm- 6pm and weekends 12pm- 5pm at 21615- 64th Ave. S in Kent.

Cherise Sanchez works as an Animal Care Technician and backfills as an Animal Control Officer at RASKC. Everyone loves working with Cherise.

Tell us about yourself. I grew up in Bonney Lake.  I married my high school sweetheart.  We’ve been together 19 years and married for nine years.  We have a two year-old daughter and a five month-old daughter, plus two Chihuahuas.  I love to travel and experience other cultures through food and music. I am Christian and grew up in church.  Jesus is very important to me and how I grow a family.

Why did you decide to work at an agency that helps animals? I’ve always had a passion for saving animals. I had worked in vet med, but was not getting paid enough to support a family.  I had heard great things about RASKC. Knowing I will always work with animals in some way, I decided to make the switch. I especially love assisting the vet staff here whenever I am able to.

What is the best part about your job?  The feeling of saving an animal's life.

What do you do when you’re not at work? I miss my babies sooo much. By the weekend all I want to do is stay home and cuddle them.  With the girls so young, we are not doing too many outings right now.

Fun fact: Animal Control Officer Val and I attempted to catch seven peacocks recently. That was pretty hilarious. We caught four of them. Another officer set a trap and caught the rest.

Stevie is a 14 year-old female brown & white tabby longhair cat (A593379). Her personality color is GREEN, meaning she is an adaptable cat who loves to go with the flow. Stevie can be independent at times, but she loves petting. Stevie will even hop up in the laps of strangers. She is usually the first cat to greet those who come to visit. Stevie has had two dental extractions, so she will benefit from regular dental care. As an older gal, she will also benefit from regular visits to the veterinarian. This sweet girl has lots of love to give. She just can’t wait to meet her new family! Stevie is spayed, current on vaccinations, and microchipped. Her $30 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 Stevie on RASKC's website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Click on "cat" and type in her name. 

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

Cat Meet & Greet: When you remove the last carton of cardboard carriers from the storage container, please notify an Animal Care Technician and/or shelter sergeant. This helps to ensure that a new order is promptly placed, so that we avoid a gap of time when we are without needed supplies.

When a bottom-row condo has been hard cleaned at RASKC, please place a commercial towel over the floor of the condo. When debris drops from the condo above, the towel prevents the freshly cleaned bottom condo from becoming contaminated. 

Hey, hey, hey: Lots of hay needed in rabbits’ litterboxes. Rabbits are one of the few animals who like to eat near where they poop. They need ready access to hay throughout the day and evening. Please help ensure each rabbit’s litterbox has plenty of hay. Thanks.

November Holiday Volunteer Schedule: A huge thank you to the volunteers who will helping out on Thanksgiving! The Early Morning Cat Crew takes place every morning at 8am every day each year, regardless of holidays. Shifts for Dog Walkers, Shelter Helpers, Cat Grooming, and the Cat Area Stray Team are modified for the afternoon on Thanksgiving. Volunteer shifts in the Vet Clinic and on the Cat Meet & Greet Team are cancelled for both Thanksgiving and the day after. There are no volunteer shifts at partner Petco stores nor at Reber Ranch on Thanksgiving.