top of page


Mayor Harrell’s Proposed 2025-2026 Budget for the Seattle Animal Shelter
Seattle’s 2026 budget boosts Animal Shelter funding slightly—less than inflation—while cutting adoption fee revenue and omitting donation funds. The city also plans a new facility, but long-term funding for animal services remains uncertain.
seattleanimalwatch
4 days ago4 min read


Animal Cruelty and Neglect Complaints in Seattle, Part 3: 2024 Seattle Animal Shelter Numbers by Complaint Resolutions
Seattle Animal Shelter data shows 1,008 animal cruelty and neglect complaints in 2024, with most resolved through verbal warnings, cruelty notices, or impoundments. Abuse and abandonment cases stood out, highlighting how officers respond to the city’s most common animal welfare issues.
seattleanimalwatch
Oct 92 min read


Animal Cruelty and Neglect Complaints in Seattle, Part 2: 2024 Seattle Animal Shelter Numbers by Patrol Area
Explore the latest on animal cruelty patrols in Seattle, with 2024 data revealing key areas for complaints. Seattle's patrols focus on the South and Central parts of the city, where median income is also lowest.
seattleanimalwatch
Sep 282 min read


Animal Cruelty & Neglect Complaints in Seattle - Part 1: 2024 Seattle Animal Shelter NumbersÂ
Animal cruelty & neglect complaints rose 5.5% in Seattle in 2024—the highest since the pandemic. With abandonment & abuse cases climbing, can the City keep up with growing demands on animal welfare services?
seattleanimalwatch
Sep 124 min read


Washington’s 2025 Animal Welfare Assessment: What It Means for Seattle
This article dives into the 2025 WA State Animal Welfare Assessment in depth, exploring what it means for Seattle and how it's findings intersect with Seattle Animal Watch's work.
seattleanimalwatch
Aug 304 min read


2025 Washington State Animal Welfare Assessment: Not Just Recommendations, But Necessary Reforms
This article recaps the necessary reforms outlined by the WSDA in the 2025 Washington State Animal Welfare Assessment. Some of the recommendations may sound familiar. Despite being touted as one of the most progressive cities in not only WA, but also the nation, SAW has also identified that Seattle needs many of these same reformations.
seattleanimalwatch
Jul 304 min read


Seattle Animal Shelter Revenues & Expenses: 2024 Numbers Have Arrived
Seattle Animal Shelter expenses remain greater than the revenues it generates and the City of Seattle must close the deficit with taxpayer dollars. This article explores more about the direct and indirect costs the shelter incurs and the overall funding picture of the City Shelter.
seattleanimalwatch
Jul 283 min read


Seattle Animal Shelter Spay/Neuter Procedures 2024 Update
This post provides an update on spay neuter procedures at the Seattle Animal Shelter in 2024. Procedures for shelter animals and animals owned by members of the public rebounded from 2023, but community cat procedures are at an all time low.
seattleanimalwatch
Jun 203 min read


Why Business Permits Matter for Animal Welfare—and What Seattle Needs to Fix
This article explores the role of business permits in animal welfare, particularly in businesses that provide animal services. But what does the data tell us about how healthy these processes are in Seattle today?
seattleanimalwatch
Jun 172 min read


Stricter Animal Cruelty Standards Take Effect on July 27, 2025
A new law goes into effect on July 27, 2025 which provides broader protections for animals against cruelty. This article explores what this new law means for animals in Seattle.
seattleanimalwatch
Jun 22 min read


Data Bites - April 2025: Animal Cruelty Complaints
Animal cruelty complaints fielded by Seattle Animal Shelter have risen 15% in the last year. This post digs into why.
seattleanimalwatch
May 73 min read


Revenues and Expenses: Deciphering the Seattle Animal Shelter’s Funding
This article explores what SAW learned from public disclosure requests for Seattle Animal Shelter revenue and expenditures from 2018-2023.
seattleanimalwatch
Mar 283 min read


The Seattle Animal Shelter’s Two-Year Road Map: The Foster Care Program
SAS is implementing a 2 Year Roadmap to improve internal processes and morale. This deep dive covers foster care program improvements.
seattleanimalwatch
Mar 133 min read


The Seattle Animal Shelter’s Two-Year Road Map: Questions and Answers
SAS is in the process of hiring a new director & implementing a 2yr roadmap to improve processes and morale. Here is their progress so far.
seattleanimalwatch
Feb 262 min read


Why Care About the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan?
Seattle Animal Watch believes that Seattle’s citizens need to speak up during the current One Seattle Comprehensive Plan update. Here's why.
seattleanimalwatch
Feb 243 min read


ACTION ALERT: Urge the City of Seattle to Include Animals in Citywide Plans
Urge the City of Seattle to include animals in citywide planning efforts. As the human population grows, so will our pet population.
seattleanimalwatch
Feb 14 min read


Accountability in Commercialized Pet Care
Pet care facility violations, fires, and suspensions spark calls for stronger oversight and transparency in animal welfare licensing.
seattleanimalwatch
Dec 30, 20242 min read


2024 - A Year in Review
Seattle Animal Watch made strides in 2024 with CAWS launch, 149% subscriber growth, 46 articles published, and 9 public disclosures!
seattleanimalwatch
Dec 23, 20241 min read


Continuing Education for the Animal Welfare Professional (and Volunteer)
Explore free and low-cost animal welfare training with Best Friends, Maddie's Fund, ASPCA, HumanePro, and more.
seattleanimalwatch
Nov 23, 20242 min read


Mayor Bruce Harrell’s Proposed 2025-2026 Budget - Part 2: SAS Budget Trend
Adopted budget data from the City of Seattle shows an increasing trend in support of the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) from 2011 to 2024.
seattleanimalwatch
Oct 30, 20243 min read
bottom of page