Everett Animal Shelter Event Offers Snuggles and Affection

January 10, 2026 - Everett, WA

Vicki plays with Paris at the shelter

The Everett Animal Shelter rang in the new year with hope and open doors. On Saturday, the shelter welcomed the community to their "New Year, New Beginnings" event, a special open house where visitors could meet adoptable animals without needing an appointment. All adoption fees were waived.

"These events are limited because too many people at once can stress the animals," explained Glynis Fredericksen, the shelter's Animal Service Manager. But she loves creating these opportunities for the community to connect with pets who need homes. This was the second time since the pandemic that the shelter has hosted such an event, drawing dozens of families throughout the afternoon.

Fredericksen holds Sienna

Currently, the shelter is home to cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, and parakeets, with occasional rabbits and guinea pigs joining the mix. Fredericksen is passionate about finding the perfect match for each adoption and offers online resources to help people schedule appointments and learn about available animals.

Two residents especially close to Fredericksen's heart are Khaleesi and Sienna, senior sister cats who have waited months for their forever home. "Both are incredibly sweet, with gentle personalities and striking bright green eyes that will steal your heart," their profile reads. Fredericksen hopes to find them a loving home where they can stay together.

The shelter also relies on foster families like Vicki, a five-year volunteer currently caring for Paris, a 4.5-year-old shepherd mix. "Paris loves active days - chasing balls and enjoying long walks - but is just as happy to unwind with quiet couch time," Vicki shared. She emphasized that Paris is gentle with people and steady around young children, though shelter stress can make her seem anxious to visitors. "She's much calmer outside the shelter. I hope people won't judge her by that one experience."

Community support makes everything possible. "Even though we're a City of Everett agency, all veterinary care is paid for through donations from the community," Fredericksen noted. The shelter depends heavily on volunteers and donors to care for every animal that comes through their doors.

Fredericksen's vision for 2026 is clear: "to ensure as many animals as possible find safe, loving homes." Whether you're ready to adopt, can open your home to foster, have time to volunteer, or are able to donate, the Everett Animal Shelter welcomes your support in giving deserving animals their new beginning.

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