Meet Anne! RASKC is extraordinarily happy to honor Anne Watanabe as Volunteer of the Month. She is very generous with her time, super skilled, and awesome in so many ways. Last year Anne contributed the most number of volunteer hours on RASKC’s Tukwila Petco Cat-Care Team. In addition to faithfully working weekly shifts pre-COVID, she serves on the leadership team, filled in frequently, and provides so many cat transports!  RASKC will always be extremely grateful to Anne and her spouse for fostering Charlie last year. Their care of challenging Charlie made all the difference in this dog's very successful outcome. Last year Anne participated in RASKC’s 12 Ways of Volunteering video. Anne volunteers with several other organizations to make the world a much better place. Thank you, Anne!

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

RASKC selects Volunteers of the Month based on one or more of the following criteria: frequency of service, length of service, outstanding service, record of very reliable service, leadership role or other role that involves complex and/or arduous work, performs other admirable volunteer service in the community, identifies as a member of a priority population, and/or helps RASKC in other valuable ways (e.g., helps to recruit new volunteers).

Meet Divinity! RASKC is super happy to honor Divinity Oliver with Exceptional Youth recognition. Aside from COVID restrictions, Divinity serves on two RASKC cat-care teams- at Reber Ranch and at Covington Petco. A National Honors Society student, Divinity attends Kent-Meridian High School.

Divinity also cares for her own cat S’mores, who will soon turn 10 years old.

“When I’m not volunteering or attending school, I am usually somewhere inside of my home creating artwork,” said Divinity. “I am aiming to attend college to pursue this very imperial passion of mine. I hold an appreciation for many artists. I find Kara Walker’s work thought-provoking, though controversial; Walker’s work stirs a conversation concerning racial injustices. As a Black person, I identify with Kara Walker’s artwork and admire her courage to bring up the hard conversations of our nation. A musical artist that I have recently been enjoying is ‘Juice Wrld’--who unfortunately passed away last December. When creating artwork, I tend to become immersed in his music.

“During the pandemic I adopted another hobby to keep myself active. I now roller skate around the neighborhood and at the local skateparks. If you happen to see me, don’t shy away from saying hi!

“RASKC offers me an opportunity to make a positive change in the world around me, even at an early age. For many other volunteer opportunities, age becomes an issue, so I appreciate the fact that RASKC has given me a chance to express my deep passion for helping animals. It has only been a year and a half since beginning this journey at RASKC, but I have truly created lifelong memories and inspiration to continue helping others in any way I can.”

Thank you, Divinity, for your wonderful work, creativity, and for inspiring so many of us!

Meet Cindy! RASKC is honored to shine the spotlight on Outstanding New Volunteer Cindy Jaeger. Aside from COVID restrictions, she not only contributes weekly shifts on the Early Morning Cat Crew (EMCC) and on the Cat Area Stray Team (CAST), Cindy has also recently become the scheduler for both teams. Additionally she makes and contributes many, many cat cozy blankets to the shelter. Cindy also serves as a RASKC foster volunteer. Since she began last year, Cindy has already contributed more than 550 hours to RASKC.

A native Washingtonian, Cindy helps many organizations in Puget Sound. She has volunteered with Seattle Humane, Auburn Valley Humane Society, Auburn Youth Resources, and the Special Olympics.

“I like volunteering on EMCC at RASKC, since I enjoy working with others that have similar interests around cats and animal welfare. I like volunteering on the CAST team, as I enjoy working with the shy and scared cats to help them relax in the shelter environment.

“I love fostering! One of my favorite types of cats to foster is the shy and scared cat who learns to trust and relax in my home. Kittens are a lot of work, especially if anti-social or sick, but they are so much fun to watch when they play and learn new things. Thankfully my cat is an ‘only child,’ so I have not foster failed yet.”

Cindy achieved her Bachelor’s of Science degree in accounting earlier this year.  Her goal is to help small businesses and non-profits with their accounting needs.

Fun fact: Cindy hit a hole in one during a tournament at the Washington National Golf course!

RASKC is lucky that Cindy chooses to volunteer with us : )

RASKC is launching our annual campaign to encourage residents to purchase pet licenses for their cats and dogs. The money raised helps to fund the essential first-responder work that RASKC staff provide.

Animal Control Officers respond to requests for service in our community every day, returning lost pets, and they’re available 24/7 for animal-control emergencies.

Our shelter staff provide pet care 365 days a year. They adopt out thousands of pets and provide life-saving veterinary care.

RASKC and other collaborating animal-shelter partners provide free pet-food for area residents at various sites.

For more information about RASKC pet licensing, click here.

RASKC’s cherished Animal Services Coordinator Nickie Ford said “goodbye” last week, as she is now fulltime with her family, including her infant son.

Nickie did extraordinary work for RASKC during the past six-plus years in various roles. “Nickie was instrumental in pushing RASKC into the future, setting the bar for many other shelters throughout the country,” said RASKC Lead Sergeant Tim Anderson.  

Nickie spearheaded RASKC’s embrace of the Adopters Welcome philosophy. She helped develop RASKC’s green, blue, and red system for assessing and identifying our pets’ temperaments. Nickie initiated RASKC’s doggie playgroups and tirelessly worked on communications, pilot projects, and other special projects.

In addition to her regular work on special-adoption events, overseeing RASKC’s adoption and pet-care programs at partner stores, updating training materials and procedures, Nickie played a key role in establishing the pet treasure-chest at RASKC and developing our dog-enrichment program.

Nickie earned enormous admiration of staff, community partners, and so many volunteers. RASKC Tukwila Cat-Care Team volunteer Anne Watanabe’s sentiments reflect what so many of us feel: “You’ll be so missed! You have such a gift with animals, and I’ve appreciated your kindness, creativity, and professionalism,” said Anne. “Enjoy this precious time with your family. You deserve it and so do they! Hope you find your way back to RASKC but ‘til then, wishing you all the best in the days to come.”

When beloved volunteer Pat Davis unexpectedly died earlier this year, shockwaves of grief reverberated through RASKC. Pat was one of our top volunteers. Her upbeat attitude, terrific skills, and prolific service inspired so many of us. RASKC was profoundly reminded of Pat’s immense generosity when our Angel Fund recently received about $965,000 from her estate. The Angel Fund pays for the extraordinary medical expenses for some of our animals.

A retired nursing supervisor from Highline Medical Center, Pat volunteered for RASKC for over 12 years on several teams: Foster, Cat Meet & Greet, cat brushing & grooming, Petfinder, office, Shelter Helper, animal transport, Vet Clinic, Mission Reunite, and Early Morning Cat Crew. Additionally she mentored many new volunteers and taught the Shelter Helper classroom training. Pat served on RASKC’s Health & Safety Committee. And she also lovingly made and donated an enormous number of cat blankets, toys, and condo curtains.

“Pat will always have a very special place in my heart,” said Foster Care Coordinator Lori Mason.

Plans for a memorial service to honor Pat have been postponed until the pandemic subsides.

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.

Meet Disa! Starting in February this year, she serves as a Shelter Administrator, formerly known as a Shelter Sergeant. Disa typically works Sundays through Wednesdays. Everyone admires her proficiency and knowledge!

Tell us about yourself. My partner and I are currently fostering two juvenile rabbits, male and female, from RASKC with plans to adopt them. We’re naming them Pepper and Pickle respectively.

Why did you decide to work at an agency that helps animals? I have always loved animals. I took an internship with at the Nevada Humane Society when I was studying pre-veterinary medicine at the University of Nevada- Reno. Through my internship I learned that I was more interested in pursuing the welfare and sheltering aspects of animal care, rather than just the medicine.

What does your work for RASKC involve? As a Shelter Administrator, I oversee the flow of animals in the shelter. I also work with members of the public who may need assistance with their pets. I work with other departments to develop and implement new policies or programs, like the adoption-by-appointment system that we implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is the best part about your job? The people I work with. They’re all very dedicated and caring individuals, who are deeply invested in providing great care for the pets at RASKC and great service to the community.

What did you do prior to coming to RASKC? I worked at Seattle Humane for seven years in the adoptions and behavior programs.

What do you like to do when you’re not at work? I listen to podcasts and music, read, and go running. When music venues are allowed to safely open again, I will resume going to live shows as often as possible.

Meet Charly! She is a two year-old orange and white tabby, domestic short-hair sweetie (#A620721). Charly was brought to RASKC by a Good Samaritan over a month ago, so she’s eager to be placed in a new loving home.

Charly seems to enjoy other cats, though a slow introduction is always advised. Charly is an independent gal, who appreciates people who respect her space. For example, Charly prefers not to be picked up.

Assessed with a “red” personality, Charly is best suited in a home with cat-savvy people, who can patiently bring out the best in her and allow for her autonomy. At this point Charly needs time to warm up to new situations and new people. She is a spirited cat who appears timid at first.

Charly is spayed, current on vaccinations and microchipped. Her adoption also comes with 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 Charly on RASKC’s website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Scroll down the page and insert her name. You may meet this cat and up to two other animals by scheduling an appointment through our website. If you need assistance, contact us at 206-296-7347 (PETS), pets@kingcounty.gov.