Thursday, October 1, 2026
Kittens and puppies have driven a record rise in animal intake at Joint Animal Services over the past year, according to figures presented to the Joint Animal Services Commission at a meeting on Monday, Aug. 11.
The rise was disclosed at the height of breeding season, with the most vulnerable animals arriving in the highest numbers.
Animal Welfare and Positive Outcomes Coordinator Bekka Kraai said cat intake rose 30.7% between July 2024 and July 2025. Dog intake climbed 20% in the same period.
Kittens aged zero to six months increased 63%, with 31.5% of those kittens under 2 months old. Puppies under 6 months old were up 66%.
“With more positive outcomes comes more lifesaving, as you saw in our statistics this year, more is everything,” Kraai said.
The largest foster need during breeding season was underage cats and kittens. Kraai said puppies have also entered foster care in greater numbers.
To address the higher volumes, Joint Animal Services (JAS), which is located at 3120 Martin Way E in Olympia, implemented on-site foster orientations in addition to its online sessions. The in-person orientations, held two to three times a month on Tuesdays and Saturdays, included guidance and shelter tours to help foster volunteers understand shelter work processes and resource limitations.
According to Kraai, the efforts strengthened connections between foster volunteers and shelter staff, making animal placements more efficient.
Meanwhile, veterinary capacity has also expanded. JAS reported an increase in wellness exam appointments, a boost in scheduling flexibility for foster homes, and additional training materials and protocol handouts.
From July 2024 to July 2025, cats placed in foster homes increased 44%, while dogs climbed 61%.
Kraai said the increase in dogs going to foster care is “a very noteworthy shift” in the culture of the program.
Transfers to partner shelters have also risen after a previous dip. Cat transfers increased 75%, making up 14% of cat live outcomes. Dog transfers increased 21.7%, making up 7% of dog live outcomes.
Seattle Humane Society, Humane Society of Mason County, Auburn Valley Humane Society and Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue were credited as consistent partners.
The shelters, which take animals through transfers rather than direct intake, allowed JAS to move animals out more quickly for adoption elsewhere.
Transfers are also used to protect animals involved in active cruelty cases, moving them out of local custody for their own safety until adoption.
Kraai revealed a major change this year was establishing routine, biweekly transfers. Seattle Humane takes at least three dogs every two weeks, while Mason County accepts five to 10 kittens on a similar schedule.
Knowing when kennels will open has also helped JAS plan for large intakes.
To show the impact of volunteer work, Kraai highlighted the efforts of foster volunteer Nicole Kernett and her daughter, Ellie, who have fostered about 40 cats and kittens since starting in March.
The family has hosted various shelter supply drives and plans to expand their involvement by volunteering inside the shelter.
“They’ve had cats and kittens in their house non-stop,” Kraai shared.
For health reasons, fosters are limited to one group of animals at a time to prevent cross-contamination. Kraai also said many kittens in foster care are too young for surgery or still socializing before adoption.
JAS stocks a foster pantry with food, litter and supplies for volunteers, who can request specific provisions from Kraai as needed. The practice lowers the expense of fostering and keeps animals in temporary homes until they meet weight requirements for surgery.
Kraai expressed gratitude for the JAS staff, volunteers and community members.
“I’m proud of my fosters, I’m proud of the program, and I’m proud of everything we’ve done to see this shift,” she said.
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