Martha Norwalk's Animal World

Listen to Martha Norwalk's Animal World every Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon

Coming Soon: Zoo Doo and Bed Spread!

It's that time of year again! Zoo Doo and Bed Spread from the Woodland Park Zoo will soon be available by drawing. Postcards must be sent to the zoo between March 5 and 20. Price varies from $4 to $60, depending on the size of the load. For more information, go to www.zoo.org and go to "zoo blog" at the lower left. Or call 206-625-POOP.

Adopt a Cat -- Get a ticket to Cats!

The first 50 people who adopt a fabulous feline during March from the Seattle Humane Society will also get TWO FREE TICKETS to the March 31 performance of CATS at the Comcast Arena in Everett.

Have you been thinking about adding a kitty to your family? At Seattle Humane Society, you'll find playful tabbies, demure exotics, and affectionate calicos who will greet you at the door, purr on your lap and amuse you with his or her playfulness. Every kitty there has been spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and will go home with a certificate for a free health exam.

CATS has won seven Tony Awards and recently celebrated its 26th anniversary as the longest continuously touring Broadway musical in history. The MaxMobile, the Humane Society's mobile adoption unit, will be parked at Hewitt and Lombard Avenues with cats available for adoption. Volunteers will be collecting cat food for our Pet Food Bank, which serves the pets of low-income elderly and disabled people in the community.

Visit their website at www.seattlehumane.org for more information.

In honor of Valentines Day, February 14, Pet adoption fees now $14 through March

In honor of Valentine’s Day weekend residents can adopt a sweetheart pet from King County Animal Care and Control (KCACC) for only $14 dollars.

During the 2009/2010 flood season, KCACC adoption fees were waived to ensure a low shelter population in light of the potential flood evacuation threat in the Green River Valley. Now that flood season is concluding and the weather seems to be cooperating, adoption rates will eventually revert back to their pre-flood season prices as the flooding threat subsides.

The $14 dollar adoption fee will remain in place for the remainder of flood season, which usually lasts from October through March in Western Washington.

Before full adoption fees are reinstated at the conclusion of flood season, residents considering pet adoption should take advantage of this sweetheart deal, and find their new furry family member this weekend for only $14, plus the cost of the pet license.The $14 dollar adoption rate includes all vaccinations, as well as rabies shots, and spay/neuter.

Before adoption fees were waived on November 1, 2009, the fee to adopt dogs was $75, adult cats were $35, and puppies and kittens were $75. Residents from the King County service area will also need to purchase the required pet license for $30.

For hours and locations of King County’s two animal shelters, or to view pets available for adoption, visit www.kingcounty.gov/pets.

Free spaying/neutering available for dogs and cats at Seattle Animal Shelter

As part of an ongoing program, anyone who brings a litter of puppies or kittens to the Seattle Animal Shelter is eligible to have the parent animals spayed or neutered for free.

This free offer is made possible by donations to the city’s “Pet Population Control Fund.” The fund also helps pay for spaying and neutering pets owned by low-income, elderly, disabled, homeless or other persons who would otherwise not be able to afford the cost of sterilizing their pets.

Although the Seattle Animal Shelter will not turn away anyone with a litter, kittens really should stay with their mothers and littermates for at least 10 weeks. People often separate litters from their mothers at five to seven weeks, which is too early and can create behavior problems throughout a cat’s life.

As long as donors continue to support the Pet Population Control Fund, the offer will continue indefinitely. For more information about this free spay and neuter program and other Seattle Animal Shelter services, call (206)386-PETS(7387)

You can help animals in Haiti

People who want to support the vital efforts of the American Humane Association in Haiti and help other animals in disasters can donate at www.americanhumane.org/aes-donate. For more information, and to read the frequently updated blog on the Association's efforts to help in Haiti, please visit www.americanhumane.org/haiti.

Join Pawsitive Alliance for their annual "Pawsitive Futures" benefit at Theo Chocolates

Enjoy tasty appetizers while you sip wine, sample Theo chocolates, and bid in a silent auction... have fun while helping homeless animals! "Pawsitive Futures" will support Pawsitive Alliances's 2010 adoption events, giving homeless dogs and cats a second chance for healthy and happy lives. There will be many great items in the silent auction: restaurant gift certificates, handmade art and jewelry, delectable treats, and much more!

Saturday, March 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Theo Chocolate, 3400 Phinney Avenue North, Seattle, 98103. Price is $15 per person, children welcome, and includes beverages, chocolate samples, and appetizers. For more information or to register visit www.pawsitivealliance.org/

Spay Day $20$10

South County Cats has received grants from both the Washington Federation of Animal Care and Control Agencies and the Dugan Foundation to spay/neuter 129 cats for Spay Day 2010. This program is for ALL cat owners in south King County through March 31.

South County Cats has partnered with several local veterinarians for this special promotion. Female cats are $20 (co-pay) and male cats are $10 (co-pay).There is a limit of 2 cats per household. Kittens must be five months or older and female cats must not be in heat or pregnant.

For more information visit www.southcountycats.petfinder.org

Humane Society offers free spay and neuters for Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes in King County

Great news for pit bulls! The Seattle Humane Society and PetSmart Charities are joining forces to provide FREE spay and neuter surgeries to pit bulls and pit bull mixes in King County. The dogs will also receive free vaccinations, and microchips will be available for $5.

Pit bull mixes now make up approximately 30% of lost, stray and abandoned animals in our community's shelters. Thanks to a $50,000 grant from PetSmart Charities, dog owners can help change those statistics by altering more than 750 dogs and helping save lives by ending unwanted litters.

Spaying and neutering actually improves a pet's health! The surgery eliminates reproductive cancers in the females and prostate cancer in the males. This simple surgery has many other benefits too, such as making them less likely to roam and get into fights.

If you have an unaltered pit bull, or know someone who does, call the Seattle Humane Society at (425) 649-7560 today to make an appointment.

Help feed starving horses

Hundreds of horses across Western Washington are at risk of malnutrition or starvation this winter because their owners can't afford to feed them. People are being forced to give their horses away or, in some cases, they're being seized by animal control workers and put into foster programs.

"We've determined it costs about $3,500 a year to own a horse between feed and upkeep on veterinary costs," says Kitsap County horse farmer Allen Warren. "And a lot of people have more than one horse." The continuing recession is forcing many horse owners to choose between feeding their animals and feeding their families. Allen, of the Horse Harbor Foundation, estimates there between 200 and 300 horses in Kitsap County alone that need care.

In response to the crisis, the Kitsap Humane Society is opening a "feed bank" for low-income horse owners. They can apply to the Humane Society for free or reduced price hay. The Humane Society is also looking for donations of hay. If you need help or can provide some contact the Kitsap Humane Society at www.kitsap-humane.org or (360) 692-6977.

The Seattle Animal Shelter is holding its 10th annual doghouse drive

To help pet owners in need, the Seattle Animal Shelter will accept donations of new and used good-quality doghouses and dog igloos. The doghouses will be distributed to pet owners in need to help them provide better living environments for their dogs year-round.

New and used doghouses and dog igloos will be accepted through the winter months. The shelter will not accept any item that is either badly soiled or in a state of disrepair. Doghouses and igloos will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis to anyone in need. The shelter will also accept airline animal carriers/crates of various sizes, if they are in outstanding condition.

The shelter will also accept monetary donations that can be designated for buying doghouses.

The shelter is located at 2061 - 15th Ave. W., one mile south of the Ballard Bridge. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for licensing. For more information, call (206)386-PETS (7387) or visit the website at www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

Humane Society needs foster homes for cats and kittens. If you can help, please call their cat foster coordinator at 425-373-5380 or email ashley@seattlehumane.org

Humane Society pet food bank needs donations

The Seattle Humane Society's Pet Food Bank provides food every month to more than 1,200 pets of low-income seniors and people disabled by AIDS. Thanks to the Pet Food Bank, more than 768 people each month do not have to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their animal companions.

The Pet Food Bank relies directly on donations; all the food distributed comes from compassionate individuals, community groups, grocery stores, and pet food companies and right now due to an increased demand this year, the stock in Pet Food Bank is low.

Donating is easy - anyone can bring canned or dry cat and dog food to the Pet Food Bank at the shelter at 13212 Eastgate Way in Bellevue, anytime. Canned cat food is always the greatest need. Individuals, community groups and businesses can hold pet food drives to benefit the program. Many local pet stores have in-store donation barrels for the Pet Food Bank and they would be happy to place a barrel with any interested business. To order a barrel, call (425) 649-7566.

For more information visit www.seattlehumane.org

The West Seattle Food Bank is in need of more dog and cat food. Please help if you can. Their location is 3419 SW Morgan Street in Seattle. www.westseattlefoodbank.org

Missing Pet Partnership, a non-profit organization, needs donations and volunteers to continue their work and pay for K9 Pet Detective Zeke's surgery. Send your donations to P.O. Box 305, Federal Way, WA 98063. For more info visit www.missingpetpartnership.org.

Seattle Animal Shelter presents "Cool City Pets"

The Seattle Animal Shelter continues showcasing "cool city pets" for adoption every third Saturday of the month. Between the hours of 1 and 3 p.m., potential adopters can get acquainted with the many small animals available for adoption from the shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W., about a mile south of the Ballard Bridge.

Available small animals include hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and mice. Volunteer small-animal specialists are on hand to help adopters find the right pet for them. They provide information about each animal’s characteristics and needs, demonstrate basic care and handling skills, and answer questions. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Animals may be adopted by adults only. Adopters must be prepared to provide proper housing, food, water, toys and other materials necessary for the good health of the animal.

If you would like more information or directions, please call (206) 386-7387 or visit the shelter’s website at www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

Seattle Animal Shelter Pet Loss Support Group meets on Thursday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Shelter. The meetings are free. For more information call (206) 386-7387 and press #3.

Grieving the loss of a pet? For support visit www.seattlehumane.org

Emergency Pet Food Bank desperately needs donations!

The Emergency Pet Food Bank located in the Tacoma Humane Society Shelter is running very low on pet food (canned and dry) and cat litter. If you can help, please bring the food to the shelter at 2608 Center Street, Tacoma, WA 98409. Their hours are: Mon-Wed: 9:30-6, Thursday: 11-6, Friday: 9:30-6, Saturday: 9-5.

Tucker's Karelian Bear Dog Fund: Help support our state's KBD wildlife service dog program

Karelian Bear Dogs are the answer for humane bear and cougar management in our state, and you can help the State Department of Fish and Wildlife purchase another one! Send your donation to: Tucker's KBD Fund, PMB 272, 914 164th St. S.E., Mill Creek, WA 98012. For more information visit www.washingtonbeardogs.org

Support Rescued Horses!

You can help support the Equine Rescue Association by making a donation at a feed store in Snohomish or Arlington. It's easy, and your donations really make a difference. All donations are tax deductible. Here's where to donate:

Strotz’s Country Feed, 231713 27th Ave NE, Arlington (360) 652-6064. Donate senior feed, alfalfa pellets, and chopped hay. Strotz’s Country Feed will deliver your donation in E.R.A.’s next delivery. Strotz’s are longtime helpers of the rescued herd. When they can they donate food items, supplements, etc. and give free delivery.

Dayville Hay & Grain, 11804 Springhetti Road, Snohomish (360) 568-5077. Donate alfalfa hay. Dayville Hay & Grain will deliver your donation in E.R.A’s next scheduled delivery. Dayville Hay & Grain provides high quality alfalfa hay at a reasonable price.

If you would like to make a direct cash donation call 360-658-5494 or visit www.era-horsehaven.org