Animal lovers joined the Seattle Humane Society team to reach the highest number of adoptions in one month in the shelter’s 112-year history. In all, 598 dogs, cats and critters were placed into homes of their own in the month of August.

This marks the ninth month in a row of record-setting adoptions at Seattle Humane Society, where pets are given as long as it takes for us to find them a home of their own.

“Together we are living our mission to save every adoptable animal regardless of age or beauty and without time limits,” said CEO Brenda Barnette. “This is our commitment to companion animals in our community, and we will forge ahead until we can give every pet in our community the care and time he or she needs on the way to homes of their own.”

Even with record adoptions at the Seattle Humane Society, “We are receiving more animals than ever before. This may be because we give animals unlimited time, and because more people are having to give up their beloved pets because of hard economic times,” Barnette said.

The Seattle Humane Society has stepped up efforts to help people keep their pets by distributing more than one ton of donated food per month to low-income seniors and to local food banks. To increase adoptions, the shelter has held special adoption events to introduce the community to the animals in the shelter. More than 1,400 volunteer assist with every facet of the organization, including providing volunteer foster care to more than 3,000 animals last year.

“No one can say ‘thank you’ more than the wagging dog tails, cat purrs and smiling people at the shelter, as we bring people and pets together,” Barnette said.