SEATTLE, January 26, 2025
King County Animal Shelter Faces Capacity Crisis After Storm Damage
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A recent storm has significantly impacted the Regional Animal Services of King County’s ability to house cats, leaving the shelter with over half its cat capacity offline.
- The cat building at RASKC sustained “significant damage” from fallen trees.
- The shelter is prioritizing cases of injured, abused, or dangerous animals.
- Community support is crucial while the facility focuses on recovery.
- Residents are advised to utilize social media and local networks when searching for lost pets.
The Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) is grappling with a critical shortage of space for feline residents after this week’s storm caused substantial damage to its cat building. The structure, struck by falling trees, is currently deemed unsafe for occupancy, resulting in a loss of more than 50 percent of the shelter’s cat housing capacity.
“This has a tremendous impact on our ability to help animals and serve our community,” RASKC stated.
What should you do if you’ve lost or found a pet? RASKC is temporarily adjusting operations to concentrate limited resources on the most urgent situations. These include providing immediate medical attention to injured animals found at large, intervening in cases of animal cruelty or neglect, and addressing situations involving aggressive or dangerous animals that pose a public safety risk.
Due to the damage and the ongoing flood emergency, shelter operations will remain limited through the weekend and potentially into next week. Fortunately, the organization reports sufficient support for cat sheltering and fostering, and is asking the public to help alleviate the strain on its facilities while recovery efforts are underway.
Locating a Lost Pet: A Step-by-Step Guide
- First, check for a collar or identification tag.
- Next, walk or drive around the area where the pet was last seen, looking for anyone who might be searching.
- Don’t hesitate to ask neighbors or your mail carrier if they recognize the animal.
- Leverage the power of social media: post a clear photo on Facebook (local community pages, Lost Pets of King County groups, etc.), Nextdoor, and other relevant platforms.
- A vet’s office or animal shelter can scan for a microchip.
- Finally, file a found pet report here.
If You Encounter a Litter of Kittens
- Resist the urge to intervene immediately. The mother cat may be out foraging for food.
- Maintain a safe distance. Kittens have the best chance of survival with their mother.
- For guidance, visit humaneworld.org/found-kittens.