Starry Nights: The Problem of Light Pollution

The next time it's nighttime where you are, go outside and take a look at the sky. What do you see? Can you see the moon? Are there stars out? What constellations can you see? With more artificial lights making their way into our lives, a significant amount of people...
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Adopting other animals.

Last week, I wrote about the things to consider when adopting a dog but dogs aren’t the only animals with a long-term commitment. Cats, bunnies, chickens, fish, and so many other pets are as well and it’s vital that we stop treating these animals as disposable....
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Wild Rabbits

During the spring time, it’s particularly difficult for me to go a day without seeing a wild rabbit and on more than one occasion, Rooster has tried to catch a rabbit that ran by (he’s luckily had no success in catching anything but still tries every single time!)....
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Shelter, Rescues, and Breeders: Oh My!

There are many different ways you can bring a new pet home. It's become more and more popular to adopt a rescue pet from shelters and rescue organizations and this is particularly necessary, as the ASPCA estimates that 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters each...
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Behind the Breed: Great Swiss Mountain Dog

The Great Swiss Mountain Dog is a great companion for any active family or home. If you want a hiking partner, consider a Swissy!

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Pollinators of the Pacific Northwest

Largely unseen by humans, pollination helps both plants, pollinators, and people, making any and all pollinators incredibly valuable in any and all ecosystems they're a part of. Nearly 85% of all plants in the world need pollination to reproduce, and a significant...
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Behind the Breed: Boxers

Boxers are a popular breed and for good reason, these dogs are goofy, bright, and energetic. Despite their square jaw and muscular statue, boxers are great family dogs and wonderful around children. They're medium in size and have short coats. If you're looking for a...
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Salmon of the Pacific Northwest

Salmon are an incredibly important part of the Pacific Northwest. These fish are vital to our ecosystems and in the food chain; in addition, they play a significant role in our economy and have played a big role in indigenous cultures for generations. In Washington...
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Making that tough decision

Easily one of the worst parts that comes with caring for animals is having to say goodbye. I wish I could say that I’ve gotten better at saying goodbye to the animals who’ve died over the years but in reality, every single time I have to say goodbye is just as hard as...
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Sea Otters.

Sea otters can be found along the coastal areas of the North Pacific Ocean and range from the shores of Japan to the coast of Alaska and all along the coast of North America down to Baja, California. These cute and wonderful creatures have captured the love of many...
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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.

Mountain Lions of North America

Mountain Lions of North America

Also known as pumas, mountain lions, and catamounts, cougars are adaptable predators and the world’s fourth largest wildcat following lions, tigers, and jaguars. Cougars are relatively solitary animals but despite living mostly alone, these cats still have complex...

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch may be a familiar term to some, especially to those who care about oceans and marine life.

Behind the Breed: Pit Bulls

Behind the Breed: Pit Bulls

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...

Behind the Breed: Holland Lops, Flemish Giants, and Lionhead Rabbits

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...

Tokitae The Orca Is Coming Home!

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.

How To Become An Animal Control Officer

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?

📍 The Pacific Northwest has been home to numerous indigenous peoples for time immemorial. To learn more about the land you occupy, visit Native-Land.ca