02:53 PM PST on Monday, November 22, 2004

KING5.com

The Seattle Animal Shelter has introduced “Golden Pets for Golden Years,” a new program available to anyone holding the city of Seattle’s “Gold Card” or “FLASH Card.”

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Cardholders are eligible to adopt a dog or cat aged six years or older, free of charge, and receive a 50-percent discount on a pet license. The new program is in addition to a current program offering cardholders a 50-percent discount on adoption fees for cats aged 2 years or older.

Through the Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens, greater Seattle residents, 60 years of age or older, are eligible for the “Gold Card for Healthy Aging” and adults with disabilities are eligible for the “FLASH Card.”

“The ‘Gold Card’ and the ‘FLASH Card’ are important resources for our seniors and citizens with disabilities and it’s Seattle’s way of making life a little easier for them,” said Mayor Greg Nickels. “The cards offer many benefits, and now we’ve added the offer of free adoptions of senior dogs and cats. It helps our shelter place animals in loving homes, and it offers cardholders the opportunity to bring a sparkling companion into their lives.”

Shelter Director Don Jordan said for many people, adult cats and dogs are the best choice. They are often already socialized with people and other pets, they’ve been house trained, and they usually have more mellow temperaments.

“Numerous studies have shown having a pet as an integral part of the family unit helps pet owners lead longer and happier lives,” Jordan said.

Adopting a cat or dog from the Seattle Animal Shelter not only saves that animal from unnecessary euthanasia, but through these special offers, it is also a tremendous value.

With the 50-percent discount, a two-year Seattle cat license costs $11, and a two-year dog license costs $15. A full-price adoption package for the general public ranges from $50 to $55 for a cat, and $60 to $95 for a dog, and includes:

- Initial vaccinations

- Deworming

- Feline Leukemia testing

- Certificate for free health exam at local veterinarians

- Spay or neuter

- Microchip (About the size of a grain of rice, the microchip is injected under the cat’s skin, providing an identification number associated with that animal. Animal shelters can then “scan” a lost animal and retrieve its records from the microchip.)

The Seattle Animal Shelter is located at 2061-15th Ave. W., approximately one mile south of the Ballard Bridge. The Shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. For more information, call 206-386-PETS (7387).

About the Gold Card and FLASH Card

The “Gold Card” and “FLASH Card” are part of a countywide campaign to promote health and access to services by publicizing toll-free assistance telephone numbers. Cardholders can also use the cards to register for services and programs, and as library cards at Seattle Public Libraries.

Eligible residents of greater Seattle can obtain the “Gold Card” or “FLASH Card” at any of the 13 Neighborhood Service Centers; the Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens, Alaska Building, 618 Second Ave.; and at the Seattle Animal Shelter.

For more information about the “Gold Card” and “FLASH Card” programs, call the Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens at (206)684-0500.