Coronavirus: Shelter temporarily closing to public

Seattle Humane is following the guidance of the CDC and Public Health-Seattle & King County, as well as the lead of many large employers in the region, in our work to reduce the potential for coronavirus to spread to more people through large gatherings. To do that, we will be closing the shelter to the public starting Saturday, March 7, and we will spend the following week assessing the situation in real time to determine when it would be appropriate to invite the public back to meet our wonderful pets. We are also cancelling community events scheduled during this time.

Animal care staff will continue to meet the daily needs of our shelter pets, who are not at risk of contracting or transmitting coronavirus (Covid-19), and employees in other departments will be working off-site in our effort to minimize any interactions that may unnecessarily expose people to this virus.

We appreciate your understanding while we work to ensure not only the public’s safety, but also provide staff and volunteers with the opportunity to focus on their own health and personal care.

Thanks to your support, we were able to help more than 8,000 animals over the last year.

Success Stories: Casey & Ringo Starr

Our hearts are full every time an animal leaves Seattle Humane with their new family, but there are some success stories that stand out, especially ones where the outcome far exceeds our predictions. We were so hopeful that a bonded pair of cats, Casey and Ringo Starr, would be able to go home together, but we were concerned Casey’s age would discourage an adopter from stepping up. While he’s a beautiful and friendly tuxedo cat, Casey is 19 years old, and Ringo Starr is 10. We truly wanted these friends to live out their golden years together, but we were preparing for them to possibly have to say goodbye.

So the waterworks were turned on high when a wonderful couple came to the shelter to pick up these BFFs and take them to their loving home, where they’ve been flourishing. Their new mom tells us these lucky fellas are taking advantage of having multiple beds to sleep in, all of the new smells, and the occasional fresh salmon in addition to their special diet.

Best of all is that old boy Casey is proving to be the more adventurous of the two, and has been doing a lot of the exploring. His new mom says Ringo is more wary, but follows his brother where he goes, confirming what we already knew these cats needed each other to live their best lives!

Tuxes & Tails Tickets Now Available!

Tickets for Seattle Humane’s 31st annual Tuxes & Tails fundraising gala are going fast, so get yours today! This gala is dedicated to saving animals, and it is our partners at this event and in our community who make our work possible. Please join us for an evening of fun, food, and philanthropy in support of Seattle Humane. Thanks to your support, we were able to serve more than 8,000 lives over the last year. We look forward to seeing you dressed to the K9s on May 9 at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue. Purchase tickets here.

Putts for Pets

Mega animal lover and former Sounder star Brad Evans is bringing his MLS Cup champ buddies together for the 2020 Putts for Pets at Flatstick Pub in Kirkland on Tuesday, April 7. This all-ages, dog-friendly putt-putt golf event includes a silent auction, adoptable puppies, yummy bites, and sweet treats.

Proceeds will directly benefit the animals in Seattle Humane's care.

VIP guests will be granted early admission to mix and mingle with our Sounders friends, and will leave with an event T-shirt and autographed jersey.

Be sure to get your tickets before they run out! VIP admission is $300 and doors open at 5:30 p.m. General admission is $100, and doors open at 6 p.m. Purchase tickets here.

Supporting Seattle Humane through an IRA

Giving to support Seattle Humane through an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is an easy, tax-free way to save animal lives. The recently enacted SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act contains changes intended to improve retirement for American taxpayers and the causes they support.

The SECURE Act pushes the age when Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) must be made to 72. The new rule applies to taxpayers turning 70 ? after December 31, 2019. The change reflects the new reality of rising life expectancies and lengthier careers. A gift to Seattle Humane made as part of an RMD, also known as a Qualifying Charitable Contribution (QCD), is a win-win for us and the donor the animals benefit from the donor’s generosity and the donor’s gift is tax-free. The new rule allows taxpayers to continue making QCDs beginning at age 70, even though they aren’t required to take their RMDs until age 72.

Another new provision of the SECURE Act lifts the age limitation on contributing to an IRA. Now, also reflecting the fact that people work well beyond age 70, the age limitation has been eliminated, so taxpayers can add to their IRA while they continue to work. And more contributions to an IRA means more funds available as QCDs to Seattle Humane!

For families facing significant birth or adoption expenses, the new law allows families to take penalty-free withdrawals from IRAs of up to $5,000 per parent for qualified costs. Unfortunately, it doesn’t apply to pet adoptions.

To learn more about the SECURE Act, QCDs that benefit Seattle Humane, or planned giving in general, contact Scott Fraser, Esq., Major and Planned Giving Director, at scott@seattlehumane.org or 425-373-5387.