Meet Jeannie! RASKC is extremely pleased to honor Jeannie Dykstra as Volunteer of the Month. In only two years she has contributed nearly 2,600 hours- as a foster volunteer extraordinaire and also, in normal times, by contributing weekly shifts in RASKC’s Vet Clinic and on RASKC’s Covington Cat-Care Team.

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

If you are interested in becoming a RASKC scheduled volunteer, please check back after the governor’s Stay Home order has been significantly modified. If you are especially interested in foster training, however, RASKC is ready to onboard you now. Click here and scroll down to the Getting Started section. Click on the plus sign, then watch training modules #1, #2, and #4 and answer the quiz questions. We look forward to working with you!

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recently awarded a $50,000 grant to RASKC in support of our work with several other local organizations on the mobile pet-food bank.

RASKC Lead Sergeant Tim Anderson wrote the ASPCA grant and another successful $50,000 grant from PetSmart Charities earlier this year in support of this project.

Interim Animal Services Coordinator Emily Ruppert recently wrote a successful Pet Foster Care Stimulus grant from Maddie’s Fund for $5,000. This support is intended to help with our foster program. #ThanksToMaddie.

Emily has also been coordinating the “on the ground” work for the mobile pet-food bank. Emily said, “A shout out goes out to Animal Control Officer Marcy Goldstone and RASKC Administrator for Communications and Community Engagement Lluvia Ellison-Morales for driving support of planning and communications. I’ve had the pleasure to work on this project and from a close-up view, have been able to witness how this collaborative effort sheds some light during these unprecedented times.”

Last month the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association featured an article on the joint pet-food bank, including RASKC’s leadership, on its website and blog. And an article on the Washington Ag Network’s website referenced the joint pet-food bank’s collaboration with the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

For more information on the regional mobile pet-food bank, click here. The next joint food-bank distribution will take place on Tuesday afternoon, June 30, in the Rainier Beach neighborhood in southeast Seattle. For more information, click here.

For Father’s Day this year, RASKC would like to “shout out” with gratitude to the dads who, during normal times, volunteer on scheduled RASKC shifts with one or more of their children.

Lion-sized kudos go to Daryl Downing, Mitch Moznette, and William Quan. They have or had been volunteering on regular shifts with their kiddos at Kirkland Petco since 2014, 2015, and 2016 respectively!

This august papa list includes: Ken Anderson (Tukwila Petco Cat-Care Team since 2019), Todd Cline (Tukwila Petco Cat-Care Team since 2019), Richard Cicale (Cat Meet & Greet- 2019), Daryl Downing (Kirkland Cat-Care Team since 2014!), Emanuel Juarez (Early Morning Cat Crew since 2019), John Lu (Kirkland Cat-Care Team since 2019), Andrey Marochko (Kirkland Cat-Care Team since 2018), Chris Miesen (Covington Petco Cat-Care Team- 2019), Mitch Moznette (Kirkland Cat-Care Team since 2015!), William Quan (Kirkland Pet-Care Team from 2016- 2019), Paviter Singh (Reber Ranch Cat-Care Team since 2019), Paul Thacker (Tukwila Petco & Kirkland Cat-Care Teams since 2019), Robert Verme (Kirkland Cat-Care Team since 2019), and Raymond Wang (Kirkland Cat-Care Team since 2019).

You guys are terrific : )

RASKC would also like to shower appreciation on all of the dads who provide care to RASKC’s foster animals. You guys rock too!

If you would like to make a special donation to support RASKC’s efforts with the pet-food banks, please donate gift cards.

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

Our dog program would love to receive long leads, about 20- 50 feet or longer. 

Our foster program would love to receive: meat-based Gerber baby food; kitten playpens at least four feet across with zippers (not Velcro); snuggle kitties with a battery-generated heartbeat; Miracle Nipples, both sizes; and pet food or cat litter for our Pet Treasure Chest.

For more information about donations or in-kind gifts, visit the Donations page on our website.

Arionna Profitt has been working as an Animal Care Technician at RASKC for about three years. Her friendly demeanor, animal skills, and initiative make Arionna a delight to work with.

Tell us about yourself. I’ve lived in Washington my whole life. I grew up in Bonney Lake with my parents and five older brothers. I still live in Bonney Lake with my own family now- my two daughters, two stepsons, and my husband. My family and friends are most important to me.

Why did you decide to work at an agency that helps animals? I’ve always been an animal lover ever since I could remember. Finding this job where I can help both the animals, as well as the owners, seemed like the perfect place for me to work.

What did you do prior to coming to RASKC? I worked at Sumner Veterinary Hospital for five years.

What does your work for RASKC involve? My work at RASKC involves helping both the animals, as well as the people, during hard times and during times of joy. 

What is the best part about your job? The best part about my job is being able to watch the animals we become so bonded with find great loving homes. 

What do you like to do when you’re not at work? I enjoy spending my time outside of work with my family and friends, having backyard bbq’s and parties. I also enjoy doing home DIY projects and anything outdoors like kayaking, riding dirt bikes and quads, and camping. 

Meet Coco! He is a male dog who is almost two years old. His previous owners described him as “playful, energetic, and loving.” 

This smart dog is rated “red,” and he is practicing to respond to the cue “sit.” Brain games and puzzle feeders are good for Coco. He loves to exercise, so he does best with lots of physical activity. A home with a fully fenced yard would be ideal.

Coco needs assistance to bring out his best self when around other dogs. This is challenging for him right now. Coco was brought to RASKC, because of issues with the neighbors.

You can find out more about Coco on RASKC’s website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Scroll down where the page says “Search our amazing animals.” Then type Coco under the “Search by name” box. You may also meet this pet and up to two other adoptable animals by scheduling an appointment by clicking this link. If you are well suited for this dog, we hope you might find a place in your home and heart for Coco!

Thanks for all that you do to help animals!

If you have any questions regarding volunteering, general animal services, or suggested topics for future editioins of the eNews, contact us at pets@kingcounty.gov or 206-296-7387.

Stay informed! Missed our last eNewsetter? Check out our archives page!