Animal Cruelty and Neglect Complaints in Seattle, Part 2: 2024 Seattle Animal Shelter Numbers by Patrol Area
- seattleanimalwatch
- Sep 28
- 2 min read
We recently received animal cruelty data for 2024 via a public disclosure request. This data included a field for patrol areas showing where cruelty and neglect complaints originated. We have summarized these complaints by those patrol areas to determine where the greatest call volumes occur. For 2024, that appears to be in the Central and South patrol areas.
Please be aware that calls do not necessarily mean that there is animal cruelty or neglect taking place. Each call is investigated and resolved by trained SAS field officers. Having said that, the call volumes are useful in determining where additional resources may be necessary, such as additional patrols, outreach, and education.
Patrol Areas
The Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) identifies the geographic areas of animal cruelty & neglect complaints by patrol area. In 2024, there are six patrol areas identified in Seattle:
Central
North
Northeast
Northwest
South
Southwest
Call Volumes by Patrol Areas
According to SAS data, most of the cruelty and neglect complaints are for incidents in Central and South Seattle. This includes all five of the top complaint subtypes: abuse, abandonment, inadequate food/water/shelter, animals in hot cars, and unsanitary conditions.
Economic Conditions
Economic conditions may play a factor in the cruelty and neglect complaints. As noted in the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Equity Tracker map, lower-income neighborhoods are more prevalent in the south and central parts of the city, although not exclusive.
Other socio-economic factors may be contributors as well and should be factored into citywide planning and distribution of animal welfare services.
Seattle City Councilmembers
Is the Seattle City Council aware of these numbers? Unlikely.
The Seattle City Council is broken into 9 districts. To get a precise identification of who serves which district by address, one can utilize this link: https://www.seattle.gov/council/members/find-your-district-and-councilmembers.
To learn more about your councilmembers and how to contact them, visit: https://www.seattle.gov/council. Animal welfare issues span a range of social issues that they may not be aware of or do not feel there is sufficient interest from the public.
In general, the following current Councilmembers represent the Seattle Animal Shelter patrol districts:
Central - Bob Kettle, District 7 and Joy Hollingworth, District 3
North - Debra Juarez, District 5
Northeast - Maritza Rivera, District 4
Northwest - Dan Strauss, District 6
South - Mark Solomon, District 2
Southwest - Rob Saka, District 1
Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Sara Nelson are the two citywide councilmembers.
Councilmembers Rinck and Nelson are up for reelection this November. Councilmember Solomon has chosen not to run for his District 2 seat.
