RASKC commends the Auburn Valley Humane Society (AVHS), an independent non-profit community education and adoption center where pets and people come together. AVHS serves not only Auburn residents, it helps foster a regional network of communication and collaboration among neighboring shelters, rescue groups and shelter homes.

With nearly 50 employees and over 300 volunteers, AVHS maintains an animal shelter, a thrift store, and the Northwest Spay & Neuter Center.

To read RASKC’s interview with Auburn Valley Humane Society’s President and Chief Executive Officer Phil Morgan, go to our blog.

Starting this month, GoodPup.com will be offering a free online training session to people who adopt a RASKC dog. The live, interactive session with a professional dog trainer can be scheduled at the adopter’s convenience. This offer is also good for anyone who has adopted a RASKC dog in the past year.

This partnership will help to establish a bond between the adopters and their dog by addressing behavior issues, making it less likely the dog will be returned to the shelter.

RASKC aims to provide this training also to all people who feel the need to relinquish their dog to RASKC due to problems that training can resolve. If GoodPup helps to keep even one dog in their home, then that’s a terrific benefit for everyone involved.

RASKC foster volunteer Morie Stewart who recently tried out GoodPup expressed a lot of enthusiasm. She said, “I am definitely a fan of GoodPup. We have had two sessions so far with our 83-pound pitbull Hubert. GoodPup trainer and vet Caitlin is AMAZING- incredible at ‘reading the room’ and picking up on what is working for Hubert. She has also given us great training materials and ideas for toys and activities to keep Hubert’s mind engaged. I would strongly encourage everyone to use the ‘chat’ often. The GoodPup staff is very committed and responsive! Even if your assigned trainer is not on shift, there are several other qualified trainers to help you. We chat often, because the GoodPup staff are so useful!”

Interim Animal Services Coordinator Emily Ruppert pointed out that GoodPup offers training sessions 24/7. Because the sessions take place online, you cannot beat the convenience!

Each time an adopter decides to pay an enrollment fee for additional sessions, using RASKC’s special link, then RASKC’s pet-retention fund will receive a $50 donation.

Thanks to Emily for connecting RASKC to GoodPup. She made the connection when she participated Humane Society of the United States’ online Animal Care Expo earlier this year.

Today is Officer Marcy Goldstone’s last day at RASKC. She will soon join our friends at Metro Animal Services as an Animal Control Officer (ACO). Metro Animal Services serves seven cities in eastern Pierce County and southern King County.

Marcy worked for several years as an ACO for RASKC. She also had served as an acting Shelter Sergeant here. While at RASKC, Marcy was selected for the first shelter-management fellowship at University of Wisconsin- Madison School of Shelter Veterinary Medicine. She worked with King County’s Office for Emergency Management and the mass-care team on disaster activations and planning for responses to future disasters. Marcy was instrumental in securing grant funding for the purchase of disaster supplies including trailers. She established a great working relationship with ASPCA and continues to work on a mass-care regional forum, which plans to sponsor a regional training next spring. In her “off time” Marcy serves as Vice President for Washington Animal Control Association.

Earlier this summer, Marcy found an adorable, deaf, mostly blind pug in Shoreline. She brought the sweetie to our shelter. Officer Marcy then researched online notices of lost pets and discovered Kelso’s family’s pleas for help. Officer Marcy immediately made contact and arranged for Kelso to reunite with his people.

In their post to the Lost Dogs of King County webpage, Kelso’s family described Marcy as “the kindest, sweetest officer.” Awww.

RASKC Lead Sergeant Tim Anderson said, “We will miss Marcy’s dedication, support, hard work and great ideas!”

RASKC wishes her the very best with Metro Animal Services.

RASKC loves to receive updates from adoptive families. Here’s one from Christina:

"We adopted Junior one year ago. Since we don’t know his birthday, we made it his birthday, he is sweet 16! He is doing so well. Still loves to run around the backyard chasing any and all creatures, eating all the snacks, and snoozing with his parents."

We're so happy for Junior in his fur-ever home! If you want to share your Happy Tails, let us know at pets@kingcounty.gov. We look forward to your email.

You may read many more Happy Tails on RASKC’s Facebook page, Twitter account, and on Instagram. #HappyTails

RASKC’s WAGS program - Walks, Adventures, and Getting Socialized- allows some of our adoptable dogs to enjoy socially distant adventures in the community.

Luna is a cautious pup who enjoys the simple things in life, including short nature walks. She often behaves perfectly for humans who are nice and calm.

Luna would love for you to adopt her. She has been at the shelter since June 2, 2021. You can find out more about Luna on RASKC’s website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Scroll down the page and insert her name. You may meet this dog and others by scheduling an appointment through our website. If you need assistance, contact us at 206-296-7347 (PETS), pets@kingcounty.gov.

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 Bella! She is a three-year-old Pit Bull, gray and white, 63 pounds (ID #A640548). She was brought in by her previous owner last month, because they could not care for her. They described Bella as high energy, sweet, and a cuddler.

Bella is an affectionate and spirited lovebug who would be thrilled to cuddle up with you in your cozy home! At the shelter she tends to be quite rambunctious, wanting to run zoomies in the yard all day! Assessed with a “red” personality, Bella is full of energy and loves to play! 

Bella tends to calm down more when the people around her stay calm. She does her best when she has lots of exercise and when she is provided mental stimulation. Her caregivers have observed that Bella might not get along with other dogs, so she may do best as the only dog in her new home.

Sometimes Bella resource guards- that is, she displays behavior that is intended to convince other dogs or humans to stay away from a particular treasure, like food or toys. If you take Bella in your heart and home she will benefit from in-home guidance to manage and improve this behavior. The new offer from GoodPup.com might be very helpful.

Bella is challenged with a skin condition that might be caused by allergies, perhaps from environmental factors like fleas or foods. Treatment options might include medications, special diets and/or flea control. Your regular veterinarian should be consulted on an ongoing basis.

Bella also contends with Otitis Externa- an infection in the internal ear canal due to yeast and/or bacteria. Proper medication and routine ear cleaning are needed to resolve this infection. This condition is often related to allergies.  Routine exams are recommended. 

Bella is spayed, current on vaccinations, and microchipped. Her adoption comes with a free visit to the veterinarian of your choice and 30 days of opt-in pet insurance through Trupanion. Bella’s adoption also comes with one free training session with GoodPup.com. Because she is Pet of the Week, Bella’s adoption fee has been reduced.  

You can find out more about Bella on RASKC’s website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Scroll down the page and insert her name. You may meet this dog and others by scheduling an appointment through our website. If you need assistance, contact us at 206-296-7347 (PETS), pets@kingcounty.gov.