The Puget Sound region is home to a vibrant network of animal shelters, rescue organizations, and animal welfare nonprofits dedicated to helping pets and wildlife. Whether you’re looking to adopt, volunteer, or support animal causes, Everett, Monroe, and Redmond offer a variety of ways to get involved and make a difference. Here’s a guide to the key organizations and opportunities in these communities.  

Everett, WA

Everett Animal Shelter  

Located at 333 Smith Island Road, the Everett Animal Shelter is one of the largest municipal shelters in the region. It provides care for lost, abandoned, and surrendered pets, and offers adoption services for dogs, cats, and small animals. Adoptions are by appointment, and all available animals are listed online. The shelter also offers animal control, licensing, and lost-and-found services for the city411.  

  • Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers help with animal care, socialization, adoption events, and administrative support. Foster opportunities are also available for those who can provide temporary homes for pets in need.  

Everett Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF)  

ARF partners closely with the Everett Animal Shelter to improve the quality of life for companion animals and their caretakers in Snohomish County. They support spay/neuter programs, adoption events, and fundraising efforts9.  

  • Volunteer Opportunities: ARF welcomes volunteers for events, fundraising, fostering, and community outreach.  

PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society)  

Though based in nearby Lynnwood, PAWS serves the greater Everett area with its animal shelter, wildlife rehabilitation center, and extensive volunteer programs. PAWS rescues and rehabilitates domestic animals and injured or orphaned wildlife, and offers educational programs for the community3.  

  • Volunteer Opportunities: PAWS offers roles in animal care, wildlife rehabilitation, fostering, education, and event support. Their PAWSwalk fundraiser and Wild Night gala are major annual volunteer-driven events.  

The NOAH Center  

Located north of Everett, The NOAH Center is a nonprofit adoption center and spay/neuter clinic dedicated to ending the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable pets. They have saved over 54,000 cats and dogs and provided nearly 155,000 spay/neuter surgeries5.  

  • Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers help with animal care, adoption counseling, events, and fostering.  

Monroe, WA

Sam’s Cats and Dogs, Naturally  

While not a shelter, Sam’s Cats and Dogs is a community-focused pet supply store that regularly partners with local rescues and hosts adoption events. They support animal welfare through education, fundraising, and connecting pet owners with resources.  

Pasado’s Safe Haven  

Located just outside Monroe, Pasado’s Safe Haven is a nationally recognized animal sanctuary and rescue organization. Their 85-acre sanctuary is home to over 200 rescued animals, including dogs, cats, and farm animals, many saved from abuse and neglect10.  

  • Volunteer Opportunities: Pasado’s offers volunteer roles in animal care, sanctuary maintenance, events, and advocacy. Public tours, educational programming, and special events like their Mother’s Day Tea Party also engage the community.  

Barn Stars Animal Rescue  

Barn Stars Animal Rescue is a unique sanctuary for farm animals in Snohomish County, founded to give rescued farm animals a safe, loving home. They combine animal rescue with a love of '70s culture, creating a fun and welcoming environment for both animals and people6.  

  • Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers assist with daily animal care, farm maintenance, and community outreach.  

Snohomish County Animal Services  

Serving unincorporated areas around Monroe, Snohomish County Animal Services manages animal welfare investigations, licensing, and animal control. They address animal-related complaints and enforce local and state animal laws2.  

  • Volunteer Opportunities: While direct volunteer opportunities may be limited, the agency collaborates with local shelters and rescues for community outreach and education.  

Redmond, WA

Homeward Pet Adoption Center  

Located in nearby Woodinville, Homeward Pet is one of the region’s largest no-kill shelters, serving Redmond and surrounding communities. Their mission is to transform the lives of cats and dogs through medical care, training, and successful adoptions7.  

  • Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers help with animal care, adoption counseling, events, fostering, and administrative support. Homeward Pet also welcomes in-kind donations and sponsors public spay/neuter days.  

Other Regional Organizations Serving Redmond  

While Redmond itself has limited municipal shelter services, residents benefit from the work of regional organizations like PAWS, The NOAH Center, and Homeward Pet, all of which offer adoption, fostering, and volunteer opportunities.  

How to Get Involved: Volunteer Opportunities

The animal welfare community in and around Everett, Monroe, and Redmond offers a wide range of ways to help:  

  • Animal Care: Walk dogs, socialize cats, clean kennels, and assist with feeding and enrichment.  

  • Fostering: Provide temporary homes for animals recovering from surgery, young kittens/puppies, or pets awaiting adoption.  

  • Events and Fundraising: Support adoption fairs, educational events, and fundraising campaigns like PAWSwalk or local adoption days.  

  • Administrative Support: Help with office work, marketing, or social media to promote animal welfare causes.  

  • Community Outreach: Educate the public about responsible pet ownership, spay/neuter programs, and animal welfare laws.  

  • Specialized Roles: Wildlife rehab, veterinary assistance, or farm animal care for those with specific skills or interests.  

Websites like VolunteerMatch make it easy to find animal-related volunteer opportunities in Snohomish County and beyond8.  

Why Support Animal Welfare Nonprofits?

Animal shelters and welfare organizations are vital to the health and safety of pets, wildlife, and communities. They:  

  • Rescue and rehabilitate animals in need  

  • Promote responsible pet ownership  

  • Provide low-cost spay/neuter and veterinary services  

  • Educate the public about animal welfare  

  • Advocate for stronger animal protection laws  

By volunteering, donating, or adopting, you help create a more compassionate and humane community for all creatures.  

Quick Reference: Key Organizations

Organization Location Focus How to Help
Everett Animal Shelter Everett Adoption, animal control Volunteer, adopt, foster
Everett ARF Everett Support for shelter & spay/neuter Volunteer, donate, events
PAWS Lynnwood/Everett Shelter, wildlife rehab, education Volunteer, foster, events
The NOAH Center Stanwood Adoption, spay/neuter Volunteer, foster, donate
Pasado’s Safe Haven Monroe Animal sanctuary, rescue, advocacy Volunteer, events, tours
Barn Stars Animal Rescue Snohomish County Farm animal sanctuary Volunteer, outreach
Homeward Pet Woodinville Dog/cat adoption, medical care Volunteer, foster, donate
Sam’s Cats and Dogs Monroe Pet supply, adoption events Attend, support, donate
Snohomish County Animal Svcs Snohomish County Animal welfare, enforcement Outreach, education

   

Final Thoughts

Whether you live in Everett, Monroe, or Redmond, there are countless ways to support animal welfare and make a positive impact. From walking dogs and fostering kittens to helping at fundraising events or providing a forever home, your involvement is crucial. Explore the organizations above, find the right fit for your interests, and join a compassionate community dedicated to helping animals thrive.  

For more information, visit the organizations’ websites or check VolunteerMatch for current opportunities8.  

Citations:

  1. https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=animalshelters&find_loc=Snohomish+County%2C+WA
  2. https://snohomishcountywa.gov/1940/Animal-Services
  3. https://www.paws.org
  4. https://www.everettwa.gov/161/Adopt-a-Pet
  5. https://www.thenoahcenter.org
  6. https://barnstarsanimalrescue.org
  7. https://www.homewardpet.org
  8. https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/orgs.jsp?includeOnGoing=true&r=20.0&k=Animals&l=Snohomish%2C+WA%2C+USA
  9. http://www.everettarf.org
  10. https://www.pasadosafehaven.org
  11. https://www.everettwa.gov/148/Animal-Services