By Ruth Whyman
UW News Lab
The Seattle Animal Shelter welcomed members of the public to its monthly “Cool City Pets” events Saturday, April 20, where visitors could get acquainted with many of the small animals available for adoption.
“Cool City Pets” or “critters” included hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, snakes and even a turtle named Amanda; all animals perfect for apartments and inner-city homes where dogs and cats might not be a viable option. Visitors were able to view and handle animals in a safe, enclosed environment.
The shelter also offers a pet loss support group. It has met every Thursday since one volunteer lost her pet in 2007 and realized that an outlet for people to openly express their grief could be beneficial.
The organization boasts around 400 volunteers and 32 full-time staff.
Sis Odland, a Seattle local, had heard about “Cool City Pets” and went to check out the event. She acknowledges the all-round great work the shelter and its staff does.
“Without [the volunteers] these animals wouldn’t have a home. … They’re all really amazing people.”
Critter Team Lead Killy Keefe has volunteered at the shelter for five years and considers herself a full-time adoptive parent outside the shelter also.
“My life revolves around this place,” she said. “I’m here every day. It’s an addiction.”
The staff’s hard work does not go unrewarded. For every animal they find adoptive parents for, the return rate is a mere 4 to 5 percent, arguably a result of the lengthy adoption process (which includes two interviews) to make sure prospective parents are a proper match for a given animal.
Mavis is a 7-month-old pit bull who came in terribly malnourished after receiving insufficient care as a puppy. She is now “super snuggly and cute,” according to Kara Main-Hester, who has been the volunteer and fundraising manager at the shelter for four and a half years. Even so, she remained in a small percentage that didn’t find the perfect match for adoptive parents.
This is one of the many unfortunate situations the staff has to deal with.
While standing in the doorway of the “critters room,” a dog was led by whose food allergies had gone untreated before being admitted to the shelter. He had been shaved of most of his fur, revealing a red, inflamed rash.
When it comes to animal abuse and seeing distressing cases, “It’s always hard to get your head around,” Main-Hester said. But she insists that “It’s a great place to work. … If I ever have a stressful day and need a break, I come and have a cuddle with a dog.”
As sad as a story might begin, ultimately the animals end up happy, healthy and waiting for love.
Main-Hester weighs in on making the decision to adopt a pet. “Think carefully about your current lifestyle. … Ask yourself what you are willing to do. … Be horribly honest with yourself.”
If you decide to adopt an animal, you’re not just making their day but that of the shelter staff, too.
“Any time you have an animal that finds a home it’s a good deal,” Hester said. “It’s just the right thing to do.”
——————————————————————————————–
(RUTH WHYMAN is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.)