1. GO SHOPPING FOR THE ANIMALS!

Check out our Amazon or Chewy WishList to purchase pet care items we can use and have them shipped directly to Homeward Pet.

Take a look at the Shelter Essentials List to shop for the items we use every day in the shelter. Many are available at Costco and other local retailers.

2. DONATE TO THE HOMEWARD PET FOOD BANK

The Homeward Pet Food Bank supports animals in the shelter and in foster homes, and distributes pet food and other new and gently-used supplies to rescue partners, food banks and other community organizations to help families with pets. 

We are able to accept the following items in like-new condition. Please don’t donate things that are worn, broken, rusted or missing pieces and should just be thrown away. Anything we can’t use costs us money to dispose of (and we’d rather have our money go to our animals than another garbage pick-up).

ITEMS ACCEPTED

• Pet food – Canned
  • Cat and dog foods.
  • All brands.
• Pet food – Dry
  • Cat and dog foods.
  • All brands.
  • New and open bags (please label if not in original container).
• Cat litter
  • All types and brands.
  • Prefer World’s Best Cat Litter.
• New or like-new Cat scratching posts, cat trees, and cat condos.
• Wonder Walker dog harnesses
• New or like-new crates and carriers.
  • Plastic, wire, or soft-sided.
  • All sizes.
  • Must have all parts, and not be rusty, worn, chewed or broken.
• Pet beds.
  • All sizes.
  • In new or like-new conditions; not worn or soiled.
• Pet dishes and bowls
• Cat toys
• Dog toys (only new with tags)
• Collars, leashes, soft harnesses
• Towels and washcloths
• Potty pads

ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED

• Frozen pet food.
• Used dog toys
• Covered litter boxes, new or used.
• Used litter boxes and litter scoops.
• Pet stairs and ramps
• Pet drinking fountains, automatic feeders, and pet feeder/water sets.
• Outdoor dog house and dog runs.
• Sheets, large blankets, pillows, cushions, or comforters. Please consider donating these items to a local human shelter.
• Anything worn, rusted, or missing parts.

For items not on this list (such as ex-pens, pet clothing, pet strollers, ramps or stairs, pet/baby gates, etc.), or to pre-arrange a large donation, or if you have any questions, please email Lisa Slobojan, at

Thank you for your generosity!

This year we are bringing the Easter B’egg Event to the comfort of your own backyard! Kit ordering is closed, but make sure you submit your video or photo to enter our contest (instructions below).

How It Works

• Order treat-filled kit(s) for your dog or cat.
• Capture the moment of your pet finding the eggs and share a short video (please no longer than 30 seconds!) or photo with us for a chance to win one of 5 prizes below. Submit your photo or video via this Google Form.
• Our team of judges will pick ten clips to share on Facebook where our community can vote on April 7 & 8. Winners will be announced at 5 pm on April 8.

Contest Prizes

We’re so happy to hear it!

We’ll make sure you’re kept in the know for this year’s Homeward Pet Open.

How long had sweet Cherry quietly suffered?

It was late October in 2020 when 2-year-old Cherry’s previous owner received the awful news that would devastate any animal lover like you or I: they were being forced to move, and their new apartment did not allow cats.

Through no fault of his own, this affectionate, well-mannered, and cuddly fellow found himself looking for a new home—and traveling across Washington to find it.

When our veterinary staff met Cherry, he did well for most of the exam—until his front paws were touched. That’s when Cherry let us know he was in pain. Cherry had been previously declawed, with unfortunate side effects: tight tendons in his feet were causing his toes to curl under themselves. Even worse, he often refused to walk, showing us just how much the simple task of getting around was hurting him.

Cherry’s toes curled under each other due to a previous declawing surgery, making each step painful for him.

It broke my heart to see poor Cherry in such pain. Thankfully, donors like you have provided a roadmap to recovery for Cherry. With x-rays, skillful surgery, and compassionate veterinary care, Cherry is currently recovering in a foster home from surgery to loosen his tendons. Walking will no longer be such an awful experience for him.

Cherry’s journey is just one example of how, with your help, we live our mission of saving animals’ lives. I am so grateful for individuals like you who share the dream of a more compassionate world for animals.

As we celebrate our 31st anniversary this month, please know that your support is still urgently needed by pets in the shelter now—like Cherry, Bruce, Magnus, Princess, and Cassie. Beyond that, hundreds more pets of all ages will arrive this spring from our community and partner shelters.

Would you join us in celebrating our 31st anniversary by making a generous one-time or monthly sustaining gift? Your gift, of any amount, is needed to provide the food, shelter, medical, and behavioral care each pet will need on their way to a new forever home.

Celebrate 31 years of Matches Made and Lives Saved with us! You can make your gift on our website at www.homewardpet.org or by using the enclosed response card and envelope. Your gift ensures animals like Cherry receive the care and support needed in finding their happy “tails” and forever homes.

Cherry’s feet being examined by our veterinary staff, who determined he needed surgery to alleviate his pain.