Adix’s Bed and Bath for Dogs and Cats Can Be Last Stop for Lost Pets

Adix's Bed and Bath for Dogs and Cats plays a key role for animals and their owners in more than one north Puget Sound city.

Both Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace have a contract with Adix's Bed and Bath for Dogs and Cats in Edmonds to house strays that are picked up by animal control.

When animals are taken in, those without identification are held up to 72 hours. Owners of pets with identification (collar or microchip) are given 10 days to reclaim them.

Owners are responsible for any fines associated with a loose animal, which means two stops: First, paying fines at the police department, and second, claiming the animal at Adix's.  Owners must have a receipt for the fines in order to reclaim a pet.

After the window of time has passed, the animal is available for adoption. Adix's is authorized to handle the adoptions and collect the fees for adoption on behalf of the cities without the two-step process that they use for owner claims. 

Dogs and cats from Mountlake Terrace cost $50 to adopt, while those from Edmonds are $50 with a $15 fee if they have been altered.  Kittens and puppies in Edmonds are $65, with $50 being refundable if the new owner provides proof of spay or neuter.

The procedure change from reclaiming to adoption provides some confusion in the community, but those are the happy stories. 

The real problem is when there are more animals than space available.  It is a small facility, with the cities sharing a very limited space.  According to the cities' combined animal control adoption page, they would like to make sure there is room for owners and pets to be reunited but the kennels fill up quickly with unclaimed pets.

Adix does not euthanize animals, but the cities do.   Adix often gives extra space to the cities, as they do not want to see animals euthanized.   There is not enough space, however, to keep the animals indefinitely.  

When space gets tight the city steps back in to determine which animals may not be adoptable when they need to make room at the facility.  What do you do with a senior cat that has already had two months to find a home?  How about a pit bull when people are frightened of the breed?  The proper city reclaims the animal and euthanizes at a different site.    

Kristin Adix, manager of Adix's, explains that it is really depressing to see that happen.  She and her staff become attached to the animals.  The core of their business is grooming and boarding.  The arrangements with the cities are a small part of the business, she said, but it can be emotionally taxing to see nice animals not get placed. 

Adix's contractual relationship with the city gives these animals a chance.  Adix said that many cities euthanize undesirable breeds such as pit bulls within three days of not being claimed.  Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace wait until there is no room. 

Adix said the best way to get pets adopted is to spread the word about how the system works. She wanted local residents to know that many great animals need homes right here in Edmonds.