King County animal shelter's cat building damaged by windstorm
The King County animal shelter’s cat building has been declared unsafe after severe windstorm damage. No injuries were reported, but the facility can no longer house cats, forcing an immediate evacuation. A replacement building is under construction but won’t open for another year.
Last week’s emergency began when flooding forced the Everett Animal Shelter to evacuate 120 animals. All were quickly placed in temporary homes. Now, King County faces its own crisis after high winds left its cat building structurally compromised.
The damaged facility had housed a significant portion of the shelter’s feline population. With over half of the agency’s cat housing now unusable, the Seattle Humane Society is leading efforts to build a new shelter in Bellevue. Until then, displaced cats are being cared for by foster volunteers and local partners.
To manage the strain, King County has asked residents to avoid bringing in strays unless absolutely necessary. Instead, people are urged to check online listings for missing pets or visit veterinary clinics to scan for microchips. The shelter will now prioritise urgent cases, such as injured, abused, or dangerous animals.
Repairs to the damaged building are expected to be covered by county insurance and emergency funds. Limited operations may continue into next week as officials assess the situation.
The shelter’s temporary changes mean fewer cats can be accommodated until the new facility opens. In the meantime, foster networks and community support will remain critical. King County has confirmed that no animals or staff were harmed during the incident.
