Animals of the Pacific Northwest is an online project dedicated to animal welfare, humane education, environmental justice, wildlife conservation, and the animals and their fans that call the Pacific Northwest home.
The Pacific Northwest is home to many different habitats, flora and fauna species, communities, and domestic animals. In this region, you can find mountain goats, grizzly bears, transient and resident orcas, northwestern salamanders, western pond turtles, red foxes, grey wolves, long-tailed weasels, cougars, bobcats, and so much more. Domestic animals also call this place home as well and have existed with humans for thousands of years. Dogs, cats, horses, chickens, sheep, and more have had a huge impact both on human life and the environment in this region.
Where is the Pacific Northwest?
Also known as Cascadia, this ecoregion is found in western North America and the northeastern Pacific Ocean. There aren’t exact boundaries for the region but generally, it includes the Salish Sea, US states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho plus the Canadian province of British Columbia. Broader maps include southeastern Alaska, western Montana, and northern California.
The Salish Sea
This inland sea is a vital part of Washington and British Columbia – for economic, cultural, and biodiversity reasons. It stretches from Neah Bay on the Olympic Peninsula through the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Puget Sound up to Desolation Sound north of the Strait of Georgia. The Salish Sea covers almost 17,000 square kilometers and is protected by Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula. There are more than 4,600 kilometers of coastline, 37 mammal species, 172 bird species, 253 fish species, 3,000 invertebrate species, and more than 8 million humans.
The name for this sea comes from the Coast Salish peoples, the indigenous communities that have called the Salish Sea and surrounding land home for time immemorial, like the Lummi (Lhaq’temish), Cowlitz, Puyallup, Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), and Tulalip peoples. Many of the names for places in the Pacific Northwest are names for tribes or come from Coast Salish languages.
Behind the Breed: Treeing Walker Coonhound.
Despite the name, this breed is an active breed that can cover quite a bit of ground in a hurry. Like other hounds, the Treeing Walker Coonhound was bred to be hunting dogs and will definitely follow their noses after interesting smells if given the chance. These dogs...
Ocean Acidification.
Climate change has affected so many different ecosystems around the world. Wildfires in California and Australia have been made so much worse because of drier conditions. Rising ocean temperatures are causing glaciers to melt and are cooking some salmon. The Great...
Behind the Breed: Dalmatians.
These iconic dogs, known for their black spots on white fur, are incredibly intelligent, active, and affectionate. Dalmatians have made their way into popular culture many times, including through being circus performers, the Disney classic 101 Dalmatians, and by...
Potential Pet Poisons.
There are many human foods that aren't good for our pets. Alcohol, avocados, onions, and chocolate are just some of the human foods that pets can't have but there are plenty of other things that your pet might come across that can be potentially fatal. Antifreeze is...
Useful Winter Pet Products.
This post contains affiliate links that I could make a commission off of. All opinions are my own. Right now, parts of Western Washington and the Puget Sound are coated in some snow. We've never been that great at dealing with snow, especially compared to other parts...
Behind the Breed: Pugs
This tiny, flat-faced breed is incredibly intelligent and playful. Because of their short noses, they get easily stressed out by hot and cold weather and can get allergies, colds, and other chronic breathing problems. Despite all that, pugs are quite playful and...
How To Help: Australian Fires.
Australia may be 8,000 miles away from the Pacific Northwest but the current fires happening there have international implications and impacts countless people, animals, and ecosystems. Smoke from these fires have even crossed oceans to nearby New Zealand and even...
Happy New Year! A Reflection on Last Year and The Year To Come.
Happy New Year everyone! It's officially a new year and a new decade. Here in Bellingham, WA, the first day of 2020 is a gorgeous and sunny day, a welcome break from all the rain and overcast skies we've been having lately! The start of a new year is a great way to...
Happy Winter Solstice!
The Winter Solstice is a turning point in many ways. For those in the Northern Hemisphere, it's the shortest day of the year, meaning the days are going to start getting longer! But it's also the astronomical start to winter, which is dependent on Earth's position in...
![The Biggest Little Farm [Film Review]](https://i0.wp.com/animalsofpnw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/biggest-little-farm.jpg?resize=400%2C249&ssl=1)
The Biggest Little Farm [Film Review]
Two disclosures before the review: one, this post contains affiliate links that I may gain a commission off of. All opinions are my own. Two, this film does deal with the ups and downs of traditional farming, including the death of many animals. In 2010, John and...
Behind the Breed: American Staffordshire Terrier
These stocky, muscular terriers are confident, smart dogs and if well socialized and trained, they can be loyal friends and companions! American Staffordshire Terriers are also known as AmStaffs or Staffys to some and have an agile, graceful, and springy gait. This...
Holiday Gift Ideas
Holidays of many cultures are approaching and for some, gift-giving is a part of the celebrations! If you have any folks who love animals or even some animals you love in your life, there are many gift ideas for them! This post contains affiliate links that I could...
Wildlife Conservation Day.
This post contains affiliate links that I could make a commission off of. All opinions are my own. Today is Wildlife Conservation Day! Wild animals all over the world are facing threats from climate change, urban development, plastic/trash, and more. Giraffes all over...
Small Business Saturday
The Saturday after Thanksgiving in the United States has recently been called 'Small Business Saturday' as a call to support local and small businesses. In the Pacific Northwest, there are so many small businesses dedicated to animals, pets, and folks who love them!...
Thanksgiving.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the United States, a day usually dedicated to food, community, and feeling grateful. There are plenty of myths and misinformation about Thanksgiving and Black Friday sales seem to creep in earlier and earlier each year. For so many reasons,...
