This post contains affiliate links that I could make a commission off of. All opinions are my own. For decades, pit bulls have had a bad reputation. They're seen as fighting dogs that are inherently aggressive and are more likely to bite, notions that are based on the...
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.
Behind the Breed: Holland Lops, Flemish Giants, and Lionhead Rabbits
Did you know that domestic rabbits come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and personalities? The American Rabbit Breeders Association recognizes 50 unique breeds and each one has its own history, temperament, and physical characteristics. Some of the most common domestic...
Becoming A BARK Ranger with the National Park Service!
National parks are wonderful areas to explore, especially with pets!
Tokitae The Orca Is Coming Home!
As the oldest captive orca, Tokitae is the last killer whale still alive after being captured in the 1970s from the Salish Sea in Washington and British Columbia.
Selfies with tigers, holding koalas, and riding elephants: How wildlife tourism can harm animals
How is our search for a unique experience harming the very animals we claim to love?
#StopWillow – No More Drilling Projects In The Arctic! [April 4th, 2023 Update]
Simply put, the Willow Project, also known as the Willow Master Development Project, is yet another proposed oil development project slated to be built in Alaska’s Western Arctic. This $6 billion project is currently projected to open up an estimated 629 million...
Finnish and Swedish Lapphunds
Learn more about Lapphunds!
How To Become An Animal Control Officer
Life has an animal control officer can be exciting, challenging, and rewarding. But it’s also difficult, both emotionally and physically. Are you interested in the field?
Behind the Breed: Borzois
Learn more about these beautiful dogs!
Grey Wolves
Grey wolves were once found around most of North America.
Beavers
This unassuming, semiaquatic rodent is seen as a nuisance by some but in reality, beavers are significant players in the health of ecosystems and are even vital in stopping wildfires. In addition to providing habitat and a source of water, the ponds and wetlands that...
Behind the Breed: Alaskan Malamute
Learn more about Alaskan Malamutes!

Did you know that Animals of the Pacific Northwest has a store?!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Animals of the Pacific Northwest?
Animals of the Pacific Northwest is an online space for folks to learn more about the animals found in and around the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It was started in August of 2017 by me, Andrea Merrill, and began after I spent years caring for all sorts of animals.
Why are there more ads on the site?
Animals of the Pacific Northwest is a labor of love and is a project that I do not get paid for. As much as I love working on the site, there are some costs to running and maintaining it. I am now working with Google AdSense to place some ads around the site to help offset those costs.
I think I saw [wild animal]! Can you verify?
One of the things I love about this site is all the stories that you, the audience, tell me! That includes all the wonderful wildlife sightings. While I’m not going to be able to verify every sighting, I can at least try to confirm what you saw.Â
Also, I am not a biologist, zoologist, or wildlife official so my understanding of wild animals in the Pacific Northwest is more limited than those with more specialized education and experience. That said, I’ll try my darnedest to find an answer if you ask about a wild animal sighting.
I want to adopt [specific breed]. Do you know how I can do that?
Right now, I, unfortunately, don’t have the resources or abilities to know every rescue group and shelter in the Pacific Northwest. That means that typically, I’m not going to have many suggestions on where to find a specific breed of dog or cat you can adopt.
In my ‘Behind the Breed’ series, I try to see if there are any groups or organizations that focus on rescuing that breed. But for the most part, my best recommendation on finding a specific type of dog, cat, or other animals from a rescue is to do some research or look on sites like PetFinder.
Can I pitch an article/guest post?
At the moment, I am not currently taking any unsolicited submissions for the site. That may change in the future.
I have another question for you. How do I get in contact?
You can email me at info@animalsofpnw.com with any questions, concerns, or comments!
Where else can I find Animals of the Pacific Northwest?
You can find Animals of the Pacific Northwest on many social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.Â
Disclosure
I am not a veterinarian, vet tech, animal trainer, behaviorist, or nutritionist and do not have any sort of professional experience in these fields. Much of the information shared on this blog comes from plenty of research or from my years of caring for animals. New routines, including new diets or exercises, should be discussed with your vet or appropriate professional before being put into place. Information found on this site cannot and should not be substituted for information obtained by a licensed professional.
Some posts on Animals of the Pacific Northwest contain affiliate links that I could make a commission off of. All opinions expressed are my own and any post with affiliate links will contain a disclosure statement at the beginning. There are some additional third party ads on the site that I could also make a commission off of.

Do not sell, reproduce, or otherwise modify any written content found on this blog. That also applies to photos on Animals of the Pacific Northwest’s Instagram or ones for sale. Sharing a link with proper credit is allowed.
Lastly, any and all opinions shared by the author are solely the author’s. The author, Andrea, does not speak for any and all outside employers.