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.
The Edison Bird Festival
Visiting Edison, Washington is always a reminder of what life can be like as a slow, artistic community. The “downtown” part encompasses about three blocks these days, with significantly more art galleries and studios than actual intersections. In addition to...
Behind the Breed: Bengal Cats
Bengal cats are one of the most interesting domestic cats, as they’re one of the few wild and domestic cat hybrids in the United States that can be house pets. Compared to other domestic cat breeds, Bengals are still relatively new and because of their hybrid status,...
An Increase in Flooding in the Pacific Northwest: How Has This Happened?
Flooding in the Pacific Northwest seems to have gotten worse over the last couple of decades, which unfortunately makes sense given the increase in climate change impacts, the increase in urban development, and the region’s numerous and intricate waterways. Different...
A New Climate Anthem From An Unlikey Trio
Yo-Yo Ma releasing a single with a drag queen and an indigenous artist about the melting of an Alaska glacier was definitely not something I had on my 2023 bingo card. But along with indigenous and trans musician Quinn Christopherson, the cellist collaborated with...
Behind the Breed: Sealyham Terrier
The Sealyham Terrier is a rare small terrier breed with origins in Wales as a working dog that hunted rats, otters, foxes, and badgers. Today, Sealyhams are rare but at one point, they were popular and adaptable terriers that had fans in the British Monarchy and...
How To Make A Difference
With everything going on right now, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, angry, sad, defeated, and so much more, even if you aren’t directly affected by the tragedies and atrocities currently happening. But everyone can still do something to make this world a...
Orca Recovery Day 2023
Orca Recovery Day is Saturday, October 14th, 2023!
Fat Bear Week 2023
Fat Bear Week is officially here! Starting today, October 4th, 2023, you can vote for your favorite fat bear in this single-elimination tournament of 12 bears. This is the 9th year of the competition, with the first being a one-day contest in 2014: Fat Bear Tuesday....
Pet First Aid Kits
Having a pet first aid kit could be incredibly helpful during stressful situations. But what’s in one?
Behind the Breed: Jindos
The Jindo is a relatively rare spitz breed with a long history in South Korea and wonderful but often stubborn temperament. These dogs typically stand 17-25 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 30-50 pounds when full grown, making them medium sized dogs. They have a...
What Is Wildlife Conservation And Why Is It Important?
Wildlife conservation is a vital field that works to protect flora and fauna species and their habitats around the world from climate change effects and human encroachment. The last 200 years has seen a drastic rise in the human population, in addition to the...
The Oceans and Seas of the World
Up until recently, most countries and organizations only recognized four ocean basins. While there is really only one global ocean that covers 71% of the earth, there are now five distinct regions and the boundaries between them have changed over human history....
Behind the Breed: Xoloitzuintli
Xolos are some of the most unique looking dogs and one of the oldest breeds in the Americas.
Speak For The Trees.
The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the most magical forests and trees, like the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia. These forests are absolutely vital for our region and for the survival of many species. But thanks to logging, wildfires, and development,...
Wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, Maui, Canada, and the Mojave Desert
Last years past, this summer has been plagued by wildfires across North America.
