The Help the Animals Fund

The Seattle Animal Shelter takes in approximately 6,000 stray and owner-surrendered animals each year. Many of these animals are in need of a new start, lots of love and often significant vet and behavioral care. To provide care for these sick, injured and abused animals, the Seattle Animal Shelter created the Help the Animals Fund (HTAF) in 1977.

As the Seattle Animal Shelter’s veterinary needs expanded, volunteers started the Furry 5K in 1999 to fundraise and promote awareness for the Help the Animals Fund. All proceeds from the Furry 5K directly support the Help the Animals Fund. Veterinary care needs continue to expand and last year the Help the Animals Fund paid for over $140,000 worth of veterinary bills.

How YOU Can Help

Please donate an additional amount to the Help the Animals Fund when you pre-register online for the Furry 5K this year!

Encourage friends and family to donate to this exceptionally worthy cause with your own fundraising page. Click here to learn more.

Ask if your company has a matching gift program!

On the day of race, bring your donations (if possible convert cash donations to one check) to the registration booth or mail donations directly to the Seattle Animal Shelter.

Please make checks payable to Seattle Animal Shelter/Furry 5K. Donations can be mailed to:

Seattle Animal Shelter/Furry 5K

2061 15th Ave West

Seattle, WA 98119

Every dollar counts and all donations are tax deductible (Seattle Animal Shelter’s Tax I.D. number is 91-6001275). *

*To receive a receipt, donors must provide a mailing address.

On behalf of the Seattle Animal Shelter and the animals in need at our shelter, we thank you.

Help the Animals Fund Alumni

Oscar and Jack

Oscar and Jack Oscar and Jack came to the shelter as just 8 day old baby bunnies. Shelter staff had never seen such tiny bunnies. Luckily, two critter foster parents were able to take on the challenge of bottle-feeding and hand-raising these tiny boys.

The road that lay ahead was tough. Without a mother, these poor boys were highly susceptible to disease in their first weeks. Through the support of the Help the Animals Fund, Jack and Oscar received expert vet care as they grew bigger and stronger. Day-by-day they experienced new things, eventually even becoming confident enough to ride on their foster mom’s shoulders.

Oscar At four months, Jack and Oscar were old enough and healthy enough to be returned to the shelter. They love to snuggle with volunteers and especially enjoy hopping around their enclosure to entertain potential adopters. They are patiently waiting for their forever home, together.

Wiggles

Wiggles Wiggles is a happy, happy dog. Her favorite activities include washing faces, cuddling and playing with her friends. Unfortunately, Wiggles suffered from a luxating patella, commonly known as a floating knee. This condition caused Wiggles pain and made it difficult to do one of her favorite things – playing with her friends. This condition also would make Wiggles unadoptable to most homes.

With donations to the Help the Animals Fund, Wiggles was able to get the surgery she needed. She is now spending three months in recovery with her foster family. Her new knee should be ready for its debut just in time for the 2012 Furry 5K.

Stitch

Stitch In the animal shelter world, 2 A.M calls are rarely good. Stitch was found in a pillowcase, clearly the victim of animal abuse. It was unclear just how bad Stitch’s injuries were, but she needed help immediately. With the financial support of the Help the Animals Fund, shelter staff decided to save Stitch’s life.

After many hours of surgery to close over 20 wounds, Stitch is making a full recovery. Her staples and stitches have been removed, and her hair is growing back. Stitch is a fighter and has shown that she definitely hasn’t used all of her nine lives.

Stitch Stitch’s foster mom reports that she is a great cat – both curious and sweet with a fighting spirit. Some of Stitch’s wounds may always be visible, but she has learned to trust people again and embrace her new chance. Stitch will soon be running, jumping and playing just like old times.