Seattle Pet Collective Podcast

This episode makes me so happy. Tom Otto and Shaun Sears are the founders and operators of Canopy Cat Rescue, a non profit in Washington state that focuses on rescuing cats from trees. Is this the first time you've heard of such a thing? I'm willing to bet you've heard of cats stuck in trees, but did you know that there are a lot of misconceptions about how to get them to come down and who to call when they won't come down? In this episode, we hear some great stories and learn some important lessons from Tom and Shaun about cats, trees and what to do if (when) you find yourself in a situation where you need to call on Canopy Cat Rescue. 

Before (or after if you can't get to it this moment) you listen to this episode, go check out Canopy Cat Rescue on social media to watch some of their rescues. These guys record their rescues, and share them on their Youtube channel and social profiles. I absolutely spent a ridiculous amount of time watching their videos the night before I reached out to them to be on this podcast. Check them out, then go support them in any way you can so that they can continue to rescue even more cats!

www.canopycatrescue.com

www.facebook.com/canopycatrescue

www.instagram.com/canopycatrescue

Here's their Youtube channel.

In this week's episode, I got to learn the story behind Wag Booth, a photo booth for dogs and their people founded here in Seattle by Dee Lugo and Michele Kinsey.  It's seriously so much fun for me to have other photographers as podcast guests so we can gush about how much we love photographing dogs! Dee is the photographer behind Wag Booth, and Michele is the dog calmer/treat giver/assistant who helps make things run smoothly. 

Wag Booth isn't an ordinary photo booth experience. Dee and Michele bring a portable studio setup along with bins full of costumes and props for people AND dogs. They put a lot of work into their custom themes, and spend a lot of time caring for/cleaning everything after each event. This is not a "use it yourself" operation. Dee actually takes all of the portraits, and edits them for delivery within 48 hours. A-MA-ZING!!!! 

I had so much fun with these two, and I cannot wait to see everything they create with this brilliant business. There's more to learn about Wag Booth, so please go visit their website to see all of their amazing offerings, and follow them on all the social media outlets!!!

https://www.wagbooth.com 

https://www.instagram.com/wagbooth

https://www.facebook.com/wagbooth

This week's guest is Melanie Rushforth, the Executive Director of Northwest Spay and Neuter Center located in Tacoma, Washington. Northwest Spay and Neuter Center is Washington's largest nonprofit spay and neuter center. They have spayed and neutered more than 120,000 pets in the past 10 years, thus saving millions from entering the shelter system. This is amazing!!!!

To learn more about Northwest Spay and Neuter Center, please visit their website:

https://www.nwspayneuter.org

This episode features Kait Robinson, owner and artist at Kait's Calling! Kait is an AMAAAAAAAZING artist who specializes in creating gorgeous custom painted portraits of people's beloved pets. She also does some beautiful graphic design work, and has done some freaking awesome art for my friends at The Seattle Barkery. Including my favorite tank top that I can't stop wearing. I'll probably share a selfie in it soon, but it features Sherman the barkery dog. RIP Sherman. 

I had so much fun hanging out with Kait. She's really funny and her love for the work she creates for her clients is inspiring. I'm obsessed with her art, and I can't wait for you guys to go see it (if you haven't already)!

You can find Kait's work online:

 http://www.kaitscalling.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/kaitscalling

 https://www.facebook.com/kaitscalling/ 

Today's episode is so great because I got to nerd out with another pet photographer, my friend, Holly Cook of Holly Cook Photography!

In addition to learning about Holly's history in the animal world, she tells us about her adventure of traveling down to Los Angeles in July to participate in the Seen = Saved event that had hundreds of volunteers helping to photograph and adopt out all of the animals in the LA County shelters.  Holly shares her story of being there to photograph dogs, and what it was like to see so many people come together for an amazing cause.

We also talk a lot about being pet photographers, and how photographing rescue animals can get emotional.

Oh and get this, Holly wrote a book from her days as a pet sitter. Her book is called, "My End of the Leash: Compassion Fatigue From a Pet Sitter's Perspective," and you can buy it HERE! (she didn't want to promote it because she's super modest, but I believe someone out there might need to read it)

Please visit Holly's website to learn more about the work she does, and how you can work with her:

www.hollyccook.com

Please go read this beautiful blog post she wrote about her dog, Hazel.

And follow her on all the socials:

 https://www.facebook.com/SeattleDogPhotographer/ 

https:://www.instagram.com/holly.cook.photography

https://www.instagram.com/seattle.dog.photographer

Today's episode features Kari Kalway, the owner of Puddles Barkery, a pet treat bakery providing soft, preservative-free treats for all the good dogs. Kari was inspired to start her business because her dog, Kora, is a sassy, picky pup. Kari wanted to create the perfect treat for Kora that all dogs could enjoy. Kari tells us more about how she got started, where she is headed and who she likes to work with in her community. She also talks a bit about Kora's recent health struggles and the challenges that go along with that.

For more information about Puddles Barkery and to find out where to purchase treats:

www.puddlesbarkery.com

www.instagram.com/puddlesbarkery

www.facebook.com/puddlesbarkery

Debbie Hendrickx, the owner and creator of Swell, Gelato for Dogs, started her business because after a corporate career, she wanted a "truly happy business" that could celebrate her passion for dogs. This episode is a great conversation about having an idea to create something that puts joy into the world, and actually doing it. I love this story so much, and am super inspired by Debbie and her truly happy business. Her gelato is made here in Seattle (by her and her parents help when they come to visit from Belgium), and is available in most independent pet stores in the Pacific Northwest (and some in California too!). To find more about where to pick up some Swell gelato for your dogs, you can visit the website:

https://www.swellgelato.com

And follow Swell on social media to see adorable dogs enjoying their cups of Swell gelato!

https://www.facebook.com/swellgelatofordogs

https://www.instagram.com/swellgelatofordogs

WE ARE ON EPISODE 11! I don't know why I'm so excited at 11, but I AM SO EXCITED! Okay, I think it's also because today's guest has such a great story. I feel so honored to be able to share with you, Lora Troncoso who is the Founder and Director of Seattle Dogs Homeless Program. Seattle Dogs Homeless Program provides pet food, supplies, vet care, boarding and rescue for people and the animals they love who are experiencing homelessness in Seattle. Lora shares with us how she was inspired to start this program after her own experiences of being homeless with dogs. This woman is amazing, and she is a gem in this city. 

I found myself in tears several times throughout listening to Lora's story, and I am pretty sure you will get a bit teary as well. There are some great laughs in here too you guys, so don't worry. I'm probably going to listen to this episode a bunch of times because I want to tell everyone I meet about Lora and Seattle Dogs Homeless Program. They need a lot of help to keep doing the work they're doing. 

Their two biggest needs are financial donations to their veterinary fund/account at Greenwood Animal Hospital (How amazing is it that this incredible veterinary hospital stepped up to provide them with care?!), and a truck. They're currently using a car to deliver supplies in multiple trips all over the city to homeless pets and their people. If they could have a truck or some sort of vehicle that was easy to drive and could fit everything they need to deliver in one trip, that would be amazing.

So, enjoy this episode, then please spread the word about Lora and Seattle Dogs Homeless Program. Let's help them continue to do this amazing work! 

For more information about Seattle Dogs Homeless Program:

https://seattledogs.info

https://www.facebook.com/Seattlesdogs

https://www.instagram.com/werseattledogs