Falling trees damage King County pet shelter in Kent

Falling trees damaged the cat building at the King County Regional Animals Services shelter in Kent.

The structure sustained significant damage and has been deemed unsafe for occupancy, according to a Dec. 18 Regional Animal Services news release. The Pet Adoption Center and shelter is at 21615 64th Ave. S.

“We have lost more than half of our available cat housing,” according to the news release. “This has a tremendous impact on our ability to help animals and serve our community.”

As a result, Regional Animal Service will temporarily adapt operations to focus its limited resources on priority situations where immediate intervention is necessary, including:

• Injured at-large animals in need of immediate medical attention

• Animals suffering from cruelty or neglect

• Aggressive or dangerous animals posing a risk to public safety

Due to the damage and ongoing flood emergency, Regional Animal Services will also continue to limit operations at the shelter through the Dec. 19-21 weekend and possibly into the week of Dec. 22.

“While we have our immediate needs for sheltering cats taken care of, thanks to our amazing foster volunteers and partners around the region, we are asking the community to help reduce the burden on our facility while we focus on recovery,” according to Regional Animal Services.

What to do if you find a pet that has strayed from home:

• Check for a collar or tag.

• Walk or drive the pet around the area where they were found to see if someone is searching for them.

• Ask neighbors or a mail carrier if they recognize the animal.

• Use social media. Snap a photo and post it on Facebook (local community pages, Lost Pets of King County, and others), Nextdoor, and other platforms.

• Check for a microchip at a vet’s office or an animal shelter.

• File a found pet report at kingcounty.gov/FoundAPet.

If you find a litter of kittens:

• Do not take them immediately. Their mother may just be out hunting for food.

• Leave the area. Their best chance of survival is with their mother.

• Visit humaneworld.org/found-kittens for guidance.

Did you know?

• Approximately 14% of all dogs brought in as “strays” to Regional Animal Services are redeemed by their families. The number for cats is even more alarming at 3%.

• 70% of lost dogs are found less than a mile from their home – often within just a few blocks.

• Cats seen outdoors may be indoor/outdoor pets or community cats living nearby. Research shows that cats are 13 times more likely to reunite with their owners if left in place rather than taken to a shelter.

• Microchips and license tags work! Pets with microchips are three times more likely to make it back home. Make sure your pets are licensed and microchipped and that their information is up to date! Pets with licenses can be returned without a trip to the shelter.

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