Community Center
A place to connect, learn, support, and celebrate the work we do together.
THE VISION: A PLACE FOR CONNECTION
As a foster-based rescue, community has been core to our foundation, but finding opportunities to connect in person has been elusive. Events and one-on-one training sessions offered touchpoints, yet something greater was missing. For years we envisioned a space where we could all connect face to face, a space we could host community events, offer training support to fosters and the public alike, and (let’s be real) a storage space for the rescue that was not Jenny’s garage. In 2021 dreams became plans and in four years, with a lot of blood, sweat and tears, plans became reality. In Spring 2025 we opened the Dog Gone Seattle Community Center, a physical location to facilitate connection among fosters, volunteers, staff, and the community at large — a true hub for support, collaboration, and shared purpose. A place to celebrate victories, talk through challenges, learn together, and grow stronger as a team. We are so excited for the future!
A BARN: PURPOSEFULLY REDESIGNED
BY COMMUNITY, FOR COMMUNITY
A dilapidated rat infested two-story barn was taken down to a corner of the foundation and plans were made to “remodel” a new building that would accommodate the specific needs of the rescue. Downstairs, we included a storage space, a barn (for barnhunt) and a general purpose room to flex with the rescue’s needs. Upstairs is a large open space for hosting events like training classes and seminars, as well as a living area, offices, and a studio apartment. The property also has a large securely fenced dog exercise area, our own private Sniffspot!
This project was completed on a tight budget and successful in great thanks to the efforts of many (like rescue, in that sense). The roof trusses were transplanted from the Nordin home remodel, and so much labor donated by a small army of volunteers. We are grateful to many businesses and individuals who helped us with this project with discounted or donated materials and services. Special thanks to Main Street Electric for discounted services; Carpet Liquidators for donated flooring; Trusscore and Dunn Lumber for discounted construction materials; and especially to husband turned Construction Project Manager Jon Nordin, for seeing this project across the finish line. It was truly a feat!
OUR SPACES
The spaces below are currently available for active fosters or volunteers to use for training, socialization, exercise or meet and greets, by reservation. Simply click on the link to schedule. They will be available to use for DGS Alum “Community Members” in the near future. For more information, email jenny@doggoneseattle.org.
WHAT'S NEXT
This is just the beginning! Our long-term vision includes expanding programming, hosting more community-driven events, and — one day soon — adding an in-house clinic to provide rescue-centered veterinary care for Dog Gone Seattle and our partner rescues. This space will continue to evolve as our community grows.
Stay tuned for more details on:
- PUPPY PARTIES: Rent the space to make a kid’s birthday wishes come true. Includes one-hour of playtime with puppies and one-hour for food/cake/games, including volunteers to keep everything fun and safe!
- MEMBERSHIP: Join the DGS Alum Community and have access to safe spaces like Cedar Run, a one-acre private dog park, discounted barn hunt and training classes, and more.
- SPAY/NEUTER CLNICS: We are currently hosting high-volume spay neuter clinics at the Community Center quarterly, in partnership with the Fixers Collective. These events provide affordable access to spay/neuter for DGS and our partnered rescues.
- WAG INITIATIVE: We are in the process of building out a private vet clinic for rescue use. Thanks to the generous matching donation of Blake Murray, we raised over $220,000 in October 2024 to this cause and are working diligently to make this dream a reality.
VOLUNTEER AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER
We can always use your help with cleaning and organizing, yard maintenance, administrative tasks, and animal care for the short-term dog guests at the center. Volunteer shifts typically include a combination of hands-on with dogs and other supportive tasks. If you have skills, we can likely put them to use!
Handy (Wo)man Projects:
- Tiling the studio
- Exterior mural painting
- Gate construction
Grunt Work (not glamorous but always appreciated):
- Cleaning/organizing crates
- Weeding/trail blazing in the off-leash area
- Hauling woodchips
If you haven’t volunteered in the past, please make sure you complete a Volunteer Waiver and schedule an “orientation” (available Mon-Thurs 10am-4pm or by appointment with mariah@doggoneseattle.org.
UPCOMING CLASSES AND EVENTS
Check out our upcoming classes and events at the Community Center. Please check the descriptions carefully, as some are only available for active fosters and volunteers, and others are open to the general public. Note: Barn Hunt is only available to active fosters and volunteers at this time.
