For many of us, our pets are more than just pets – they are a part of the family. Cats and dogs are there in our moments of joy and of sadness, in our moments of smiles and tears. In this year’s Annual Giving Drive, you too can make a difference in an animal’s life by donating to one or various organizations. Don’t wait, lend a paw to a cat or dog in search of their forever home.

With over 80 nonprofit organizations doing work with animals, below are a just a few to get you started.

MEOW Cat Rescue (9193) 10600 NE 68th St Kirkland, WA 98033 – With respect and compassion for all animal life, MEOW promotes relationships between people and companion animals, providing shelter and care until each pet is adopted into a forever home.

MEOW Cat Rescue, rescues and rehomes 800 – 1000 animals annually, and has a no-kill promise. As the name gives it away, this organization primarily rescues cats and kittens, but its Canine Division rescues dogs.

Executive Director Bonne VeVea drives homes their organization motto, “all nine lives are precious” by ensuring that all animals are thoroughly vetted before adoption.

“A healthy animal may only need vaccines, treatment for internal and external parasites, spay/neuter surgery, and a microchip,” Bonne said. “However, many animals come to us with a host of medical issues: some of them requiring extensive and expensive veterinary care; and some with behavioral issues or in need of socialization. Broken bones, broken homes, broken spirits, broken hearts. We’re here for them.”

Nonprofit organizations like MEOW benefit tremendously from the partnership with King County’s Employee Giving Program because they are able to reach more donors, and with limited staff, County employees’ donations go a long way. MEOW has four full-time employees and five part-time employees and a total of 200 volunteers, 20 of which are with the Canine Division.

“We’re so happy to be included in the King County Employee Giving Program as it not only provides donated funds from those who know us and appreciate what we do, but also helps to introduce MEOW to those who may never have heard of us,” Bonne said.

Still feeling the impact of the natural disasters that have occurred, MEOW recently went to Seattle Humane Society to pick up 10-12 cats who had arrived on a Mercy Flight from Puerto Rico. What they ended up were 17 cats.

“One of them lost his right hind leg due to a wall falling on him during Hurricane Maria,” Bonne said. “We’re so thrilled to have this opportunity to help them all start new lives here on the mainland.”

Here are two more nonprofit organizations that are doing work with animals!

• Best Friends Animal Society (9132) 5001 Angel Canyon Rd Kanab, UT 84741 – Working with you – and groups all across the country – to stop the killing in our nation’s animal shelters. Together, we can Save Them All.
• Canine Companions for Independence (2736) P.O. Box 446 Santa Rosa, CA 95402-0446 –
  A cold nose and a warm heart! Our companion dogs provide independence, assistance, and friendship that transforms the lives of children and adults with disabilities.
• Regional Animal Services of King County (9360)  500 4th Ave Seattle, WA 98104 -Donations help us save shelter animals through foster care support, veterinary and behavior specialists, and to prevent unwanted animals by supporting low-cost spay neuter clinics.

The last day of the 2017 Annual Giving drive is November 17. This year’s goal is $2 million, and as of Wednesday, Nov. 15, King County employees have contributed $1,083,908.09, 52% of this year’s goal. Every donation made through the Employee Giving Program is tax deductible.

For additional questions, contact your EGP Ambassador, email EmployeeGiving@KingCounty.gov or call 206-263-9405.

Events:
11/17 – Tuesday
12 a.m. – 12 a.m.
TIME DONATIONS DUE

12/5 – Tuesday
8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Chinook, Executive Conference Room
Kitty Cafe