Seattle Animal Watch examines Seattle Animal Shelter staffing through the lens of a 2022 City Council memo on park patrol enforcement. Our analysis shows how limited field officer capacity, reduced SPD support, and competing animal welfare demands constrain enforcement, underscoring the need for data-driven staffing decisions and sustained public pressure to meet Seattle’s animal welfare needs.

Seattle’s Pet Sheltering Plan provides a strong framework for caring for animals during disasters, but several areas, like updated pet population estimates, digital tools, and partner coordination, could be strengthened. Our analysis highlights what’s working well and where improvements can help Seattle stay prepared.

Seattle Animal Watch just launched our new Data Dashboard, using city open data and public disclosure records to bring transparency to animal services. This is the first step in understanding Seattle’s true animal welfare needs and building a citywide, data-driven plan for meaningful change. Explore the dashboard at seattleanimalwatch.org/data.

Discover why Seattle lacks an advisory committee for animal services. Explore the vital role an advisory committee could play in addressing animal welfare.

Discover how Seattle's first Big Fix event could transform animal welfare by collecting vital animal data and offering essential spay/neuter services.

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.

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.

This article explores what SAW learned from public disclosure requests for Seattle Animal Shelter revenue and expenditures from 2018-2023.

This article explores the reporting structure of animal services depts in other jurisdictions. Is FAS the right place for SAS to report?

SAS is implementing a 2 Year Roadmap to improve internal processes and morale. This deep dive covers foster care program improvements.

Seattle Animal Shelter’s 2-Year Roadmap focuses heavily on dogs while cat & critter programs are neglected.

Pet care facility violations, fires, and suspensions spark calls for stronger oversight and transparency in animal welfare licensing.

Dog daycare fire in SODO led to lawsuits and proposed safety law. Suits settled; bill failed. Animal daycare regs now added to eCompliance.

This article explores how an interlocal animal services contract works for King County.

The Seattle Municipal Code language in Title 9 is antiquated and doesn't reflect today's world. It's time for an update!

A West Seattle case illustrates some of the problems prosecutors face in trying to hold people accountable for animal cruelty. 

When Federal and State Laws Collide We continue with our legal education series. Part 2 discusses a court case in which questions about...

Warning: Violence against a companion animal is discussed Question presented: Does the definition of "domestic violence" include "animal...

Seattle is a progressive city, and we love our furry family members. But that doesn't mean we don't see cases of animal cruelty. In fact,