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.

Join a volunteer's journey at The BIG FIX, the largest free spay/neuter event in WA. Discover how volunteers make a difference in animal advocacy.

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 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.

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.

Seattle Animal Watch believes that Seattle’s citizens need to speak up during the current One Seattle Comprehensive Plan update. Here's why.

Urge the City of Seattle to include animals in citywide planning efforts. As the human population grows, so will our pet population.

A guide to contacting your Seattle City Council members to drive animal welfare reform in 2025.

Tacoma banned cat declawing, but Seattle, despite its animal-friendly reputation, hasn’t followed suit. Why is Seattle lagging behind?

Explore free and low-cost animal welfare training with Best Friends, Maddie's Fund, ASPCA, HumanePro, and more.

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

The City of Seattle responds to the decline of rabbit spay/neuter procedures since 2016.

There are a variety of reasons that someone may surrender a pet to a shelter. This article explores the reasons behind those surrenders.

This post explores the importance of data collection, data analytics, and data-informed decision making in animal shelters.

A look at the data being the Seattle Animal Shelter's spay/neuter clinic since 2016.

This post includes facts utilized by Seattle Animal Watch in engaging public officials on changes required to support animal services.

This post shares two sample scripts for advocating for animal services in the City of Seattle.

Seattle Animal Watch, joined by other local animal welfare groups, sent an open letter to the Mayor regarding lack of animal services plans.

The City of Seattle relies on donations to fund animal services work. Should it? Residents already pay taxes for city-provided services.