Let’s Clear the Shelters and Find Forever Homes This August

There are millions of dogs in U.S. animal shelters hoping to be adopted. However, millions are also euthanized every year. Hill’s^® Science Diet, along with a host of sponsors, is hoping to Clear the Shelters during the month of August. Coastal is doing our part by raising money to supply local shelters with Hill’s pet food. Here’s how you can help.

Make a Donation at Your Local Coastal

We’ll be taking donations for a long list of nearby shelters at every Coastal store. Just walk up to the register and tell one of our folk you want to help Clear the Shelters and how much you want to donate. They’ll know what to do. The money raised will be used to supply shelters with plenty of Hill’s^® Science Diet pet food while canines wait for their chance to be adopted.

COVID-19 Has Changed Pet Adoption

While we won’t have adoptable pets at our stores this year, contact your local shelter to schedule a visit. Together we can Clear the Shelters and find forever homes for dogs who deserve the chance to be happy and bring unconditional joy. If you cannot adopt a pet right now, you can still help unadopted pets by fostering an animal in need or volunteering at your local shelter.

Local Shelters Include:

Albany: SafeHaven
Auburn: Auburn Valley Humane Society
Cornelius: Oregon Friends of Shelter Animals
Eugene: Many Miles 2 Home Dog Rescue
Gresham: Multnomah County Animal Service
Klamath Falls: Klamath Animal Shelter
Marysville: Noah Center
Mount Vernon: Humane Society of Skagit Valley
Oregon City: Family Dogs New Life
Redmond: Brightside Animal Shelter
Roseburg: Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center
Sequim : Olympic Peninsula Humane Society
The Dalles: Home at Last Humane Society
Wenatchee: Wenatchee Valley Humane Society
White City: SO Humane
Woodburn: Willamette Humane Society
Yakima: Yakima Humane Society

Finding the Perfect Pet

Many shelters will help you choose a pet that’s right for you. Be sure to tell the people at the shelter if you have other pets in your home (dogs or cats), how active your family is, how much room there is to run, and whether or not they will be around kids or livestock. To avoid possible dominance issues, some shelters will urge you to take home a dog that is the opposite sex of your current pet.

Take Things Slow

Shelters often have a grace period before you are committed to adopting the dog. Ask your shelter if it is possible to take a pet home overnight on a trial basis.  

Take Them Outside First

When you bring home a new dog, one of the first things you should do is show them where do their bathroom business. If you already have a dog, smell will guide their way. Otherwise, you may need to stay with them in the designated area until they go. Be sure to lavish them with praise when they’re done.

Keep Things Calm

Give your new dog space of its own. Keep the kids and other pets from interacting too much with the new pet for the first night.

If you have a dominant or overly playful pet at home, keep them separated from each other for at least 24 hours. This will also get your current pet accustomed to new smells in the house, which can help avoid confrontations.

Allow Them to Wander

After a few days, if you decide the pet is right for you, then allow them to wander a bit throughout your home or backyard. They may be skittish at first, but will likely warm up if you are encouraging.

Coastal is Your Adopted Pet Headquarters

You’ll find everything you need for all of your furry family members at your Northwest owned and operated Coastal. That includes toys, treats, bowls, beds, coats, crates, training tools, food, and kennels. You’re even welcome to bring your pet to the store and wander the aisles together.