Open Letter to Mayor Harrell re: Lack of Animal Services Planning for Seattle’s Future

May 6, 2024

Mayor Bruce Harrell

P.O. Box 94749

Seattle, WA 98124-4749

Dear Mayor Harrell,

After thorough research, data analysis, and interviews, our organizations believe the City of Seattle is not conducting animal services planning as it should be. The most recent draft of Seattle’s One Comprehensive Plan does not include any analysis of current animal services gaps, and makes no plan for providing increased animal services to Seattle’s citizens as our population grows.

Using data from Washington’s Office of Financial Management (OFM), the US Census, and companion animal multipliers from the American Veterinary Medical Association, we estimate that 390,265 dogs, cats, and birds live in Seattle today. OFM estimates 779,200 people live in Seattle, meaning the pet population equals half the human population!1 2 3 By 2040, the dog, cat, and bird population is expected to rise to 500,000.4

These estimates don’t include other common pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles, and community cats.

Seattle’s most pressing social issues intersect with unmet animal service needs. Animals must be integrated into Seattle’s growth strategies as the demand for animal services will grow along with the animal population which includes not just household pets, but animals in shelters and community cat colonies. Additionally, the Seattle Animal Shelter is not just a shelter, it is responsible for providing veterinary services such as spay/neuter and performing patrols and enforcement in Seattle’s parks. Local animal rescue & welfare groups do not believe that current services provided by the city meet current demands. City growth will exacerbate these problems without intentional and incremental investment.

Housing. Seattle is in the midst of a housing crisis. Animal shelters are inundated with animals surrendered due to housing challenges. Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) data for animal surrenders from 2016 to 2022 shows the number one reason is moving.5 Access to pet friendly housing, with reasonable pet rent fees and adequate access to outdoor space will be critical as our city moves to support more & denser housing.
Off-Leash Areas (OLAs). Analysis by citizen groups shows Seattle has inadequate OLA space compared to similar cities, they aren’t distributed equitably, and aren’t adequately maintained.6 A large proportion of the City Attorney’s animal-related work involves citations for loose dogs in non-OLA parks.7
Homelessness. The 2020 Count Us In Report estimated 8,166 people experiencing homelessness live in Seattle. Social service providers estimate that as many as 25% of them have a pet. Many refuse shelter or treatment programs because they cannot find temporary placement for their animal.8 9 10 11 Additionally, community cat populations are increasing at explosive volumes in and around Seattle’s homeless encampments, yet Seattle Animal Shelter’s ability to provide trap-neuter-return (TNR) or spay/neuter services has been declining.12
Domestic Violence. In 2022, Washington Supreme Court ruled that animal abuse can constitute domestic violence. Abusers threaten a pet to gain power over another, who will then stay out of fear their animal will be hurt. Few domestic violence shelters accept pets and few safe havens for pets exist.13
Public Safety. Animal cruelty is an indicator of future violent behavior. Seattle’s City Attorney’s Office identified strong correlations between animal abuse, domestic violence, and use of weapons.14 A shortage in police officers has affected animal cruelty responses, which take three times longer than others.15
Economic Inequality. Pet care supplies and veterinary costs are challenging for those with no or low-incomes. SAS has a low-cost spay and neuter clinic for those with qualifying incomes, but the outdated, low-volume clinic model is not set up to meet the current demand of owned pets or feral cats that reproduce in low income neighborhoods, requiring local non-profits to fill the need. 16
Citywide Emergencies. “Emergencies” can range from extreme (‘The Big One’) to localized (two animal daycare fires17 occurred in 2023). A recent rabies scare in Nebraska showed the widespread impact18 rabies can still have. Seattle’s rabies procedures haven’t been updated since 1962!19

Your vision of One Seattle is to “recognize change does not come quickly or easily. But improvement is possible if we act boldly, intentionally – and together. We can change the course of our city if we are willing to work collaboratively, to turn common ground into common cause, to think – and act – big.” However, the exclusion of animal services, despite previous feedback, while planning for Seattle’s future does not fit this vision.

We encourage you to practice what you preach. Please collaborate with us to discuss animal service gaps in Seattle and include animal services planning in the One Comprehensive Plan.

Sincerely,

Elise Murphy, Co-Founder, Seattle Animal Watch

Kaylee Botting, Marketing and Outreach Manager, Emerald City Pet Rescue

Deborah Sorensen, Executive Director, Alley Cat Project

Jin Zhang, Board President, Magnuson Off Leash Group (MOLG)

Alec Rodenhauser, Board Chair, Citizens for Off-Leash Areas

Mike Ezzo, Executive Director, Resilient Hearts Animal Sanctuary

Sandi Ackerman, Founder, Rabbit Meadows

Sources:

Open Letter to Mayor Harrell re: Lack of Animal Services Planning for Seattle’s Future

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