Whether you’re ready to welcome your family’s first kitten from Seattle Humane or you’re celebrating a milestone adoption anniversary, you’re part of the Rescue Squad!
Maybe you’re a volunteer fundraiser or donor? You’re part of the Squad too!
On Friday, July 17, Seattle Humane invites the community to help them save and enrich animal lives with its first Day of Giving.
Normally, May would have brought the organization’s annual gala, its major fundraising event, but like most others, it had to be postponed, making this new Day of Giving all the more vital. The goal is to raise $100,000 – essential funds to support Seattle Humane’s work with local animals needing shelter, medical treatment and behavioral support.
“We’d expected to care for 10,000 animals this year, before COVID-19, with the cost of that care being about $570 for each animal,” says Brandon Macz, public relations specialist at Seattle Humane.
Every donation makes a difference
COVID-19 has required Seattle Humane, like many other organizations, to scale back some of its operations, including their ability to accept transfers from other shelters.
“Seattle Humane has evolved beyond a basic shelter model over the last century to focus not just on adopting out animals, but also ensuring those pets are able to thrive in their new homes,” said Seattle Humane’s interim CEO Paula Littlewood. “We are working on expanding our community medicine and other outreach programs that support those facing financial hardships, so they don’t have to make a difficult decision about keeping their pets. The best outcome for an animal is never entering the shelter system at all, and the next best outcome is only entering it once.”
While some of Seattle Humane’s community outreach programs are currently on hold, the nonprofit animal shelter leveraged partnerships to expand certain services, such as with a regional Mobile Pet Food Bank.
“Pet food is expensive and it goes quickly,” Macz says.
Join the Day of Giving
Recognizing that larger donations may be challenging for people right now, Day of Giving encourages people to raise funds and donate what they can, with the added goal of welcoming new animal lovers to the Seattle Humane family.
Want to do more? Host your own fundraiser!
Suggestions include individual campaigns on Facebook or Tiltify, or for businesses to host a Shop-to-Support campaign, where a portion of sales are donated to Seattle Humane. Multiple Day of Giving sponsorship options are also available, with all fundraiser supporters recognized through pre-event communications.
The day will culminate with amazing animal rescue stories, heartwarming videos and many surprises for individual donors and fundraisers – Seattle Humane’s “Rescue Squad.”
To learn more, visit seattlehumane.org/dayofgiving for the most current updates. Follow Seattle Humane on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for regular updates.
