Regional Animal Services of King County — Local services in Kent

They are a kill shelter, although they advertise as a no kill shelter. I called for information for a friend of mine about surrendering her beloved fur baby. After I explained this dog gets nervous around children, I was told the dog would be put down. I asked to speak to a supervisor and Alex Rope told me even though the dog had never made contact to nip anyway, she interrupted me to let me know no matter what this dog will be put down. I explained that this dog does wonderful in a home with just adults. There are many dogs who are nervous and uncomfortable around kids. But even after I explained, I was told they would put down this dog instead of ensuring that through the adoption process, this dog would be in an adult home only. Alex Rope said dogs do get put down at RASKC for not being able to be around kids, I thought this establishment was trustworthy. The head veterinarian was yelling at me and interrupting me while I was trying to explain the situation. They do not value life. My personal experience a couple of years ago when they found my cat, scanned his chip, and called me. I picked him up. The next day, I called and asked if the RASKC vet had noticed his back was a little sore to the touch. Just because I mentioned a sore back, the lady in the cat building didn't even hesitate and said, "You can bring him in to be euthanized." The lady on the phone was not a veterinarian. She was just a worker at the shelter. They are recommending euthanasia for young animals or animals that may have an injury that the dog or cat can recover completely from. Which is completely against what they stand for. RASKC should just be honest about their shelter and state that they actually are a kill shelter because they do everything a kill shelter does. I rescued the 7 year old dog that this shelter told me would be put down immediately and she is extremely good with my two young children, one of my children is two years old and this rescue dog's best friend, no aggression what so ever. The fact this shelter will state a dog will be put down over the phone with absolutely no care is extremely unsettling. Also, another personal experience I had with this shelter was that I did adopt a dog, Akita, named Johnny from this shelter in November of 2023. I have young children, so a dog that is good with animals is a must. On Johnny's adoption information they stated he was good with young children however after less than a week after I adopted him, he bit my son, left a bad pressure bite and I returned him, informed the shelter in detail what had happened, he was immediately put up for adoption again. If they can let a dog return to the shelter after physically biting a child and leaving deep teeth marks and not euthanize the dog. Why do they automatically state over the phone that a majority of dogs that owners need to surrender for personal reasons would be euthanized the same day the dog is surrendered? Roughly ten years ago I had a pitbull that got out and she was picked up by RASKC, they blatantly stated when I called to verify that was my dog, that they were going to euthanize my dog that day if owner was not found. My dog got out, and I picked her up within 20 minutes of seeing her found post on the website. The very same day she got out, I picked her up. Why would they immediately begin to think about euthanizing a lost dog when the dog by state law has 72 hours before the shelter can euthanize or put the dog up for adoption. My pitbull is extremely friendly and amazing with kids, too, so it truly broke my heart to hear them say this without care. My pitbull, cat, and rescue dog are all healthy and living long, happy lives, and that would not be the case had they been in RASKC's care for longer than 1 hour. According to this shelter I should have put down my pitbull and cat years ago, as well as the rescue would have been put down because the front desk employee, Alex Rope and head Veterinarian of RASKC very rudely stated they would put the rescue dog down same day...

My Experience with the Kent Regional Animal Shelter! Trying to Help, Not Be Harassed

A couple of days ago, I found two stray cats outside my apartment complex. They were clearly not feral, starving, excessively meowing, and desperately approaching people for help! I had a feeling these were once someone’s house cats that had been abandoned or lost. It was super early in the morning and I was rushing to work, but I happened to have cat food in my car from my own pet. The moment I opened the bag, they inhaled the food in seconds, confirming they had likely been without proper care for days, maybe weeks.

I had no time to take them in right then, so I left them with food and went to work. When I returned home that evening, I saw the cats had come back and were sitting near my car, they remembered where the help came from. I saw this as my chance to get them safe. I brought them in temporarily with the intention to take them to the regional animal shelter in Kent the next day.

When I arrived at the shelter, I was asked to fill out paperwork and wait to be called. But when I brought the first cat in, I was met with resistance from a staff member a woman with dirty blond hair in a bun. She refused to accept the cat, stating it might belong to someone in the apartment complex. I agreed that was a possibility, but what happened next was absolutely disgraceful and alarming.

She told me to let the cat back outside!!

Let me repeat that: a shelter employee told me to take a vulnerable, hungry, frightened cat and release it back outdoors, where it could be hit by a car, attacked, or continue to starve. I was in disbelief. I questioned them, isn’t this exactly what a shelter is for? To give a safe place to a lost or abandoned animal while its fate is being determined?

Instead of compassion or even a willingness to problem-solve, I was met with accusations and intimidation. When I refused to give them my ID (since they weren’t even going to take the cat), the same employee followed me outside and recorded me and my car. I was treated like a criminal for trying to do the right thing!

Even worse, she accused me of stealing the other cat I mentioned I still had at home! when all I said was that I planned to keep it temporarily while deciding what to do. That cat I had at home by the way!! I identified through a Facebook post that matched its image and explained that someone dumped this cat and abandoned it in the area! I’ve been actively trying to locate owners or rehome the cat properly. If they had just asked, I could have told them all of this.

(By tall lady arm tattoos, black/brown hair)

Instead, I was accused, followed, and harassed. And most importantly, a cat who needed help was refused shelter at the one place I thought was meant to provide it! Abo

TO THE SHELTER STAFF!! (Until I get names) : do better. Ask questions before assuming. Help those trying to help. Don’t shame or attack people trying to make the right choice for an animal that clearly didn’t end up outside by choice.

It’s heartbreaking to think how many others might be turned...

I've been a huge fan of traveling to our local shelters and rescue groups to spend time with the cats there. Since RASKC is close by, i've stopped by this location more often than others. I can only speak for the Cat Adoption Center here and not for the people working with dogs or the dog adoption center.

The Cat Adoption Center is located outside in a small trailer like building. It's hard to miss when you're parking your car. The building may not look inviting but it has its perks once inside. When entering, you'll see two dedicated playrooms for the cats and a room where they house multiple cat cages with cats and or other animals like a bunny i saw a few weeks ago. They also have a cage next to their desk in the little lounge area. Currently they have a wonderful 13 year old cat named Taffy in there, enjoying her time chatting at the people visiting or the staff that work there. The place is clean and the rooms are spacious. One room has access to a catio and the other room has a window looking out at the lobby. Each time i stop by here, there is always a volunteer spending time with the cats or watching them. The two i've met so far are David and John i believe. Very wonderful and friendly people. We have fun chatting with them when we visit.

As for the cats and how they're doing, they are pretty well off. All of the cats my last trip were friendly and would let us pet them. And what amazes me even more is back in February there was a group of cats brought in together. All of them were pretty skittish. And all that remains of that group were two cats the last time i stopped in. Lil Bear and Stripes. Both of them the first time meeting them were nothing like what i saw few weeks ago! Stripes was super playful and so silly with her green mouse toy. Lil Bear was so trusting that he let us pat his stomach. You would think being in a shelter that their personalities wouldn't improve but this place has really changed them and given them a chance to be loved and adopted. Each animal had access to food and water and the staff obviously gives them so much attention that they're doing fine. Even animal control officers stop in to chat with us while they do their work. Always smiling and very happy. RASKC has such a positive vibe. I would recommend to everyone to visit their local shelters to help out or adopt. I'll continue to visit at this location. I had a wonderful time.

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