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: Pomeranians
Pomeranians are small but energetic dogs!
American Bison
American Bison once had a population of thirty to sixty million across North America. What happened to these iconic animals and where can you see them today?
Behind the Breed: Native American Indian Dog
Dating back thousands of years, the Native American Indian Dog has a wild appearance and patient temperament. The exact origins are unknown and highly debated, including whether or not the breed today is actually a recreation of an extinct breed. Native American...
Getting Ready For Spring – Pets Edition!
Springtime is right around the corner! There are so many wonderful things you and your pets can do to get ready for the warmer weather and longer days.
Dog Parks 101: The History, Rules, and Etiquette Behind the Dedicated Spaces for Man’s Best Friend
Open, green spaces are an incredibly important part of urban cities and one type of these spaces is a dog park! Dog parks are great places for dogs and their owners to spend time outside, socialize, and release some pent-up energy. Relatively speaking, these parks are...
Behind the Breed: Bull Terrier
With their iconic egg-shaped head, pointed ears, and triangular eyes, these dogs have an incredibly unique look to them. While Bull Terriers may seem intimidating to some, they can actually be goofy, loyal, polite dogs and are great for active homes. They are muscular...
Behind the Breed: Savannah Cats
As an adventurous, outgoing breed, Savannah cats are not for those wanting a quiet, couch potato feline. These cats can be quite large and in charge compared to other cat breeds and would do well with people who understand their audacious spirits and agile skills....
How To Become A Zookeeper
There are many different ways to have a career working with animals. One such way? Becoming a zookeeper! Keeping wild animals in zoos has a long and controversial history (and the dehumanizing and incredibly racist trend of keeping people in zoos around the turn of...
Behind the Breed: Mudi
As one of the newest breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, the Mudi seems like a mix between a Miniature Poodle and German Shepherd, both in temperament and appearance. This breed has origins in Hungary, where most of these dogs currently live, and has worked...
The Domestication of Cats
Throughout history, humans have domesticated many different plant and animal species for a variety of different reasons. Cotton has been used for fabric (like clothing and rugs) and rope; wheat, lentils, rice, and potatoes are some of the first domesticated plants...
Behind the Breed: Basset Bleu de Gascogne
Also known as the Blue Gascony Basset, the Basset Blue de Gascogne is a small scent hound that is rarely seen outside its native France. While recognized by the United Kennel Club in the United States and by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in Belgium, this...
Surviving The Winter With Your Animals
Do you know how to care for your animals in cold winter weather?
Happy New Year!
The last two years have been difficult, to say the least. For me, this site has been a saving grace and on some days, a reason to get out of bed. That's been particularly true during the Covid pandemic. It's been an absolute joy learning and sharing about all the...
Pygmy Rabbits of the Pacific Northwest
Did you know that there is a critically endangered rabbit species living in the Columbia Basin region of Washington state? The Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbits are a subpopulation of the smallest rabbit species in North America and their numbers have drastically declined over the centuries.
‘Tis The Season To Give Pets As Christmas Gifts? How This Time of Year Is Busy For Animal Shelters And One Way You Can “Give” A Pet To Someone.
Working in the animal welfare realm is a wonderful, heartbreaking, terrific, and sometimes maddening experience. You get to help, in some form or another, so many animals in so many different ways. The adoption success stories are so joyful, with families becoming a...
