I have an animal : Low Income & Senior Services
Community Services
The Seattle Humane Society provides services that helps maintain the lifelong commitment of people and pets to qualified citizens in King County. Low-income senior citizens can receive a supplemental supply of pet food. People disabled with AIDS can receive pet food, supplies, grooming and veterinary care.
Pet Food Bank
In the early 1980s, we noticed senior citizens giving up custody of their pets at our Adoption Center for lack of money to care for them. Because studies show that the companionship of a pet can greatly improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities, illness or little social contact, we responded by initiating our Pet Food Bank in October 1983. In 1989, the Pet Food Bank expanded its service to include low-income pet owners disabled by AIDS.
For our clients, the monthly supply of pet food enables them to keep their pets while spending their limited resources on food and other living expenses for themselves. Committed to supporting people and pets as lifelong companions, the Pet Food Bank literally makes the difference between keeping an animal and having to give it up.
Donated pet food is stored in the Pet Food Bank on our campus. Every month, approximately 50 volunteers pack and deliver two to three tons of canned and dry pet food to local senior centers, low-income housing complexes and/or clients' homes. Nearly 650 senior citizens and individuals disabled by AIDS receive services through the Pet Food Bank each month.
To be considered for Pet Food Bank services, low-income senior citizens should call their local senior center or our Pet Food Bank at (425) 649-7567.
Pet Project
Pet Project, an offshoot of the Pet Food Bank, provides services to individuals disabled by AIDS. In addition to providing economic relief, the program supports the unique power and healing that comes from the connection between people and pets, especially since clients may be housebound and have limited social contact or energy for daily tasks.
Pet Project matches volunteers one-on-one with clients, handling most of their pet care needs on a monthly basis, and enables clients to keep their pets while spending their limited resources on food and other living expenses for themselves. All services and supplies are donated or purchased with donated funds. Pet Project services include:
- Free pet food and cat litter delivery
- Free pet items such as beds, scratching posts
- Free basic veterinary care
- Free basic grooming services
- Free pet care information
Individuals disabled by AIDS should contact Pet Project at (425) 649-7566 to be considered for Pet Project services. Other organizations that support people disabled by AIDS should also contact Pet Project if you are interested in collaborative efforts or partnerships.
Visiting Pet Friends Program
Did you know that petting a cat can lower your blood pressure? Research shows that companion animals have a beneficial effect on health, lowering blood pressure, instilling a sense of well being, and otherwise improving physical and mental health.
Our Visiting Pet Friends program makes the healing power of animals companionship available to all people. Currently, Seattle Humane Society volunteers and their companion animals visit hundreds of seniors and people with disabilities in retirement homes and health care facilities throughout King County. Residents enjoy seeing, petting and interacting with dogs, cats, rabbits and even birds who have been specially selected for their gentle temperaments.
To learn about the healing power of companion animals, read articles on the findings from medical studies on the Delta Society's website. If you would like to arrange to have a Visiting Pet Friends team visit your facility, please call (425) 649-7566 or email petproject@seattlehumane.org.