Why Do Cats Like High Spaces?

If you've ever had cats, you might know just how much they like being high up, even if there's really no room for them. This behavior might be annoying at times, particularly when cats start to knock things over! But being up high is a perfectly natural thing for...

Dog Zoomies: What They Are and What They Mean.

My family's first dog was a rescue named Penny. It had taken years of asking before my parents finally caved and we found Penny on our first trip to the local humane society. She was a young German Shephard/Beagle mix with plenty of energy and a sense of adventure....

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...

Behind the Breed: Chihuahuas.

Chihuahuas are a tiny breed with a large personality! This tiny toy breed is the national symbol of Mexico, as they're one of the oldest breeds in the Americas and have a lineage that goes back centuries. These dogs usually stand 5-9 inches tall and only weigh 2-6...

Behind the Breed: Alaskan Malamute

Learn more about Alaskan Malamutes!

The ABCs of Shelter Animal Photography

Taking photos of shelter animals can be a lot of fun!

What I’ve learned from animals

Over the past few years, I’ve learned so much from taking care of animals. I’ve learned the importance of wearing great shoes, what the essentials for any great walk are (water, treats, and a great attitude!), and to always be aware of what’s going on around me. But...

Behind the Breed: Australian Kelpie

Like other herding dogs, the Australian Kelpie is an active, intelligent, and loyal dog with an unlimited source of energy. Kelpies are medium in size, often weighing 30-45 pounds and standing 17-20 inches tall, but what they lack in size, they make up for with...

Owls of the Pacific Northwest.

Of the 19 species of owls in North America, 15 can be found in the northwest at different points in time during the year! Many owls are nocturnal (although there are a few exceptions) and hunt at night. They're some of the most skilled night hunters, as their wings...

Behind the Breed: Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu is a rather iconic dog, especially in their native Japan where they are still an incredibly popular breed and one of the six native breeds to the country. This breed is intelligent, quiet, clean, rather strong-willed, and generally tends to do better as...

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.

Beavers

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...

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Behind the Breed: American Water Spaniel

Behind the Breed: American Water Spaniel

American Water Spaniels are relatively rare dogs that make great family companions, hiking companions, and/or watch dogs. This breed has a big dog personality in a smaller package, usually weighing 25-45 pounds, and despite the spaniel name, the AWS is more like a...

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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. 

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. 

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.

Behind the Breed: Cane Corso

The Cane Corso initially seems very intimidating but these dogs are actually very sweet and loyal!

Housing is an Animal Welfare Issue

Housing is an animal welfare issue, as finding affordable and pet friendly housing is incredibly difficult and can cause owners to surrender their beloved pets.

Behind the Breed: American Eskimo Dogs

American Eskimo Dogs are goofy and fun dogs that seem to embody the phrase “tiny but mighty”.

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.